Word Study for G868 (ἀφίστημι)

aphístēmi /af-is'-tay-mee/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἀπό and ἵστημι

Meaningto remove, i.e. (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc.

KJV usagedepart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of aphístēmi — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word aphístēmi, represented by G868, is used to mean remove, desist, or depart. It appears 16 times across 15 unique verses. The term carries a range of meanings from instigating a revolt and drawing people away to the reflexive act of deserting, refraining, or withdrawing oneself.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G868 is used in several critical contexts. It serves as a stern warning against apostasy, cautioning that some will "depart from the faith" 1 Timothy 4:1 or that an evil heart of unbelief can cause one to "departing from the living God" Hebrews 3:12. It also describes those who "fall away" during times of temptation Luke 8:13. Conversely, it is used as a command for holy separation, instructing believers to "depart from iniquity" 2 Timothy 2:19 and to "withdraw thyself" from corrupt individuals 1 Timothy 6:5. The word can also describe a physical departure, as when an angel "departed" from Peter Acts 12:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concepts of departure and separation:

G570 apistía (unbelief): This is presented as a direct cause for negative departure, as seen in the warning against having an "evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" Hebrews 3:12.
G873 aphorízō (separate): This word is used in conjunction with G868 to show a decisive action. In Acts, Paul "departed from them, and separated the disciples" Acts 19:9, highlighting a deliberate act of setting apart.
G4108 plános (seducing, deceiver): This term identifies a source of apostasy. Those who "depart from the faith" do so by "giving heed to seducing spirits" 1 Timothy 4:1.
G1287 diaskorpízō (to dissipate, scatter abroad): This word describes the consequence for those illegitimately drawn away. After Judas of Galilee "drew away" many people, they "were dispersed" upon his death Acts 5:37.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G868 is significant, centering on the theme of spiritual allegiance.

Warning Against Apostasy: The most prominent use of G868 is as a warning. It describes the act of falling away from foundational belief, as seen in the parable of the sower Luke 8:13 and in Paul's prophecies about the latter times 1 Timothy 4:1.
Command for Sanctification: The term is also used in a positive, imperative sense. The call for every one who names Christ to "depart from iniquity" establishes a core principle of Christian conduct 2 Timothy 2:19. Similarly, the instruction to "withdraw thyself" from those with corrupt minds is a command for spiritual purity 1 Timothy 6:5.
Active Rebellion: The word can signify a deliberate effort to lead others astray. Judas of Galilee "drew away much people after him," showing the active side of instigating a revolt against an established order Acts 5:37.

Summary

In summary, G868 is far more than a simple term for movement. It is a pivotal word in biblical theology, defining the critical choice of moving toward or away from God, truth, and righteousness. It illustrates how a single action can represent both a damning departure from faith and a necessary separation from evil, capturing the profound dynamics of spiritual loyalty and rebellion.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 15 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 3×
2nd Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Plural 2×
2nd Aorist Active Imperative 3rd Singular 1×
2nd Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
2nd Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
2nd Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
2nd Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Future Middle Deponent Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Imperfect Middle Or Passive Deponent Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Indicative 3rd Plural 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Middle: The subject acts on or for itself.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Middle Deponent: Middle in form but active in meaning.
Passive Deponent: Passive in form but active in meaning.
Middle Or Passive: Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 15 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (6 verses); never once in the other 21.

Luke

Acts

2 Corinthians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Hebrews

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.