Understanding ἀποχωρίζω (apochōrizō) Strong’s G673: The Divine Purpose in Separation and Parting Ways

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-kho-RID-zo (χ pronounced like ‘ch’ in Scottish ‘loch’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G673: ἀποχωρίζω (apochōrizō) describes the act of separating, parting ways, or withdrawing from someone or something. This compound verb emphasizes a complete or definitive separation, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. The word carries nuances of both the process and finality of separation, often implying that the parting occurs due to significant differences or divine purpose.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (away from) + χωρίζω (to separate)
• Primary usage in narrative sections
• Found in both active and passive voices
• Classical Greek origin with continued usage in Koine
• Emphasizes complete or definitive separation

ἀποχωρίζω Morphology:

• ἀποχωρίζω (present active indicative) – I separate/part
• ἀποχωρισθῆναι (aorist passive infinitive) – to be separated
• ἀπεχωρίσθησαν (aorist passive indicative) – they were separated
• ἀποχωρίζομαι (present middle/passive) – I separate myself/am being separated

Origin & History

The verb ἀποχωρίζω emerged from classical Greek literature where it described physical separation or departure. In Xenophon’s “Anabasis” (4.7.10), the term depicts military units separating from the main force. The intensifying prefix ἀπό combined with χωρίζω strengthened the basic meaning of separation to indicate a complete or decisive parting.

The Septuagint employs this word sparingly, notably in Genesis 13:11 concerning Abraham and Lot’s separation. Early church fathers like Clement of Alexandria (“Stromata” 7.12) used it to describe spiritual separation from worldly influences.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete separation or parting of ways
• Withdrawal from a person, group, or situation
• Decisive breaking of association
• Division resulting from conflicting viewpoints

ἀποχωρίζω Translation Options:

• “To separate completely” – emphasizing the finality of the parting
• “To withdraw from” – highlighting the active choice to depart
• “To part ways” – suggesting mutual agreement in separation
• “To divide from” – indicating the resulting state of division

Biblical Usage

The most notable usage of ἀποχωρίζω appears in Acts 15:39, describing the separation of Paul and Barnabas over their disagreement about John Mark. This instance demonstrates how God can work through human disagreements to multiply ministry efforts, as the separation led to two missionary teams instead of one.

The word appears rarely in the New Testament, making each usage significant. Its appearance in such a pivotal narrative moment in Acts suggests its importance in understanding how God can use even difficult separations for His greater purposes.

Key verses:

• “And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated [ἀποχωρίζω] from one another” Acts 15:39

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, business partnerships and ministry collaborations were deeply personal relationships. The use of ἀποχωρίζω in Acts 15:39 would have signaled to the original readers not just a practical division of ministry efforts, but a serious breach in relationship that required divine healing and wisdom to navigate.

The cultural context of honor-shame societies makes this separation even more significant, as public disagreements could affect not only personal relationships but also community standing and ministry effectiveness. However, the subsequent history of Paul’s ministry shows how God’s sovereignty can work through such cultural dynamics for His glory.

Theological Significance

The usage of ἀποχωρίζω in Acts reveals divine providence working through human conflict. While separation often carries negative connotations, this passage demonstrates how God can use even painful partings to advance His kingdom purposes. The separation of Paul and Barnabas led to the multiplication of ministry efforts and the eventual reconciliation implied in later writings (2 Timothy 4:11).

This word teaches us about God’s sovereign ability to work all things together for good (Romans 8:28), even when His servants face sharp disagreements. It reminds us that divine purposes can be accomplished through paths we might not choose ourselves.

Personal Application

When facing seasons of separation or conflict in ministry or relationships, we can draw comfort from the ἀποχωρίζω narrative in Acts. God’s purposes often unfold in ways we don’t expect, and what appears to be a setback might be His setup for greater kingdom impact.

This word challenges us to trust God’s sovereign hand even in painful separations, knowing that He can use such situations to multiply ministry impact and bring about eventual restoration and reconciliation.

Related Words

• χωρίζω (chōrizō) – to separate, divide (less emphatic than ἀποχωρίζω) – See G5563
• διαχωρίζω (diachōrizō) – to separate entirely, to part asunder – See G1339
• μερίζω (merizō) – to divide, separate into parts – See G3307
• ἀφορίζω (aphorizō) – to mark off by boundaries, to separate – See G873

Did you Know?

• The separation of Paul and Barnabas led to the mentoring of both John Mark and Silas, producing two effective ministry teams instead of one, demonstrating God’s multiplication through division.
• The prefix ἀπό in ἀποχωρίζω is the same prefix used in ἀπόστολος (apostle), connecting the ideas of being “sent out” and “separated” in God’s kingdom work.
• Modern Greek still uses χωρίζω and its compounds to describe divorce proceedings, highlighting the word’s continued association with significant relational separations.

Remember This

Divine separation, though sometimes painful, can be the catalyst for multiplication in God’s kingdom purposes.