### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀπωθέομαι (apōthéomai, `{{G683}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition ἀπό (apo, "away from") and the middle voice of ὠθέω (ōtheō, "to push" or "to shove"). Its core meaning is therefore "to push off" or "to thrust away." This literal sense extends metaphorically to "to reject," "to repudiate," "to cast off," or "to disown." The use of the middle voice is significant, often implying that the action is performed by oneself, for oneself, or affects oneself directly. Thus, it conveys a deliberate, active, and often forceful act of removal or rejection, rather than a passive or accidental detachment. The semantic range encompasses physical expulsion as well as the more common New Testament usage of intellectual, spiritual, or relational repudiation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ἀπωθέομαι appears in the New Testament primarily in the book of Acts and in Paul's epistles, highlighting various forms of rejection:
* **Acts 7:27**: In Stephen's sermon, recounting Israel's history, the word describes the rejection of Moses by an Israelite: "But he who was doing his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?’" Here, the verb likely conveys a physical act of pushing away, accompanied by verbal repudiation of Moses' authority.
* **Acts 13:46**: Paul and Barnabas use the term when addressing the Jews in Antioch who resisted their message: "Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, 'It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.'" This is a crucial instance of intellectual and spiritual rejection of the divine message, with the consequence of self-judgment as "unworthy of eternal life."
* **Romans 11:1-2**: Paul directly addresses a profound theological question concerning Israel: "I ask then, has God rejected His people? By no means!" and "God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew." This passage emphatically denies that God has ἀπωθέομαι His chosen people, Israel, underscoring God's faithfulness to His covenant promises despite their temporary disobedience.
* **1 Timothy 1:19**: Paul instructs Timothy to hold "keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected, leading to shipwreck concerning their faith." Here, ἀπωθέομαι describes the willful act of individuals casting aside or repudiating their faith and a good conscience, resulting in severe spiritual consequences.
Across these contexts, ἀπωθέομαι consistently denotes a deliberate and decisive act of rejection, whether of a person, a divine message, or spiritual principles.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of rejection is conveyed by several Greek terms, each with nuanced differences. While ἀπωθέομαι emphasizes a forceful pushing away or repudiation, other related words include:
* ἀρνέομαι (arneomai, `{{G720}}`): "to deny," often implying a disavowal of knowledge or relationship.
* ἀθετέω (atheteō, `{{G114}}`): "to reject," "to annul," "to set aside," often used for breaking a covenant or making something invalid.
* ἀποδοκιμάζω (apodokimazō, `{{G593}}`): "to reject after testing," implying a judgment of unsuitability.
* μισέω (miseō, `{{G3404}}`): "to hate," which can manifest as rejection.
Antonymously, words like δέχομαι (dechomai, `{{G1209}}`, "to receive") or προσλαμβάνω (proslambanō, `{{G4355}}`, "to take to oneself") stand in stark contrast to the active rejection implied by ἀπωθέομαι. The semantic field highlights the critical choice between acceptance and repudiation that individuals face in their relationship with God's revelation and His people.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἀπωθέομαι is profound, particularly in its application to human and divine actions.
1. **Human Agency and Responsibility**: The word underscores human responsibility in responding to divine truth. When individuals ἀπωθέομαι the word of God (as in [[Acts 13:46]]), they are not merely ignorant but actively repudiating what has been presented. This act of rejection is portrayed as a self-judgment, leading to spiritual peril (e.g., "judging yourselves unworthy of eternal life"). Similarly, in [[1 Timothy 1:19]], the deliberate rejection of faith and a good conscience leads to spiritual "shipwreck," emphasizing the severe consequences of such choices.
2. **God's Faithfulness vs. Human Unfaithfulness**: The most theologically charged usage is in [[Romans 11:1-2]], where Paul emphatically denies that God has ἀπωθέομαι His people, Israel. This assertion is crucial for understanding God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. Despite Israel's collective rejection of their Messiah, God's ultimate plan for them remains steadfast. This contrasts sharply with human acts of rejection, highlighting the qualitative difference between divine steadfastness and human vacillation. God's foreknowledge and election ensure that His promises are not nullified by human unfaithfulness.
3. **Consequences of Rejection**: The term consistently points to significant consequences stemming from the act of rejection. Whether it leads to conflict (Acts 7), the turning of the gospel to others (Acts 13), or spiritual ruin (1 Timothy 1), ἀπωθέομαι signifies a decisive break with profound implications.
### Summary
ἀπωθέομαι (apōthéomai, `{{G683}}`) is a powerful Greek verb that signifies a forceful and deliberate act of "pushing away" or "rejecting." Its New Testament usage ranges from physical repulsion to the more prevalent spiritual and intellectual repudiation of divine truth, a good conscience, or even God's chosen messengers. The middle voice emphasizes the active role of the subject in this rejection and its direct impact on them. Theologically, ἀπωθέομαι highlights human responsibility in choosing to accept or reject God's word, often with grave spiritual consequences. Crucially, in Romans, it serves to emphatically deny any divine rejection of Israel, thereby affirming God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant people despite their temporary disobedience. The word thus encapsulates the tension between human willfulness and divine steadfastness in the drama of salvation history.
TRV