Abstain (keep away from, avoid)(568) apechomai or apecho

Abstain (568)(apechomai or apecho from apó = away from - conveys the idea of putting some distance between; serves as a marker of dissociation, implying a rupture from a former association + écho = have) means to be away or be at a distance (see discussion of 4 basic meanings below). (Click additional study on apecho) Apechomai is apecho in the middle voice (reflexive = the subject initiates the action and participates in the results) and here in 1Thessalonians 4:3 calls for the believer to hold one's self from or keep one's self away from contact or influence of sexual immorality. The present tense is what is known as durative of action signifying that saints must constantly keep aloof from sexual immorality which in turn calls for continued exercise of self-control "by the Spirit... putting to death the deeds of the body" (see notes Romans 8:13). In parallel passages Paul commands believers who are setting their minds on things above to... consider (Mortify! - KJV) (aorist imperative - Do this now, don't delay! It is urgent!) the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality (porneia), impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. (see note Colossians 3:5) (and to) discipline (present imperative - habitually, examine your lifestyle) yourself for the purpose of godliness for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (see notes 1Timothy 4:7; 4:8) Surer than autumn's harvests Are harvests of thought and deed; Like those that our hearts have planted, The yield will be like the seed. —Harris The best reason for doing what's right today is tomorrow. Dearly beloved, each of us must realize that sexual immorality is one of the greatest enemies of Christian sanctification and must be dealt a "death blow" lest it do the same to our spiritual lives! Webster defines abstain as to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice. This is a good definition except that self denial is the world's way. Believers have access to the empowering fruit of the Spirit, self-control (Gal 5:22) and yet are still responsible to make daily choices that cultivate the fruit of self control (see note 2 Peter 1:6). Hudson Taylor, famed missionary to China wrote: We are not only to renounce evil, but to manifest the truth. We tell people the world is vain; let our lives manifest that it is so. We tell them that our home is above and that all these things are transitory. Does our dwelling look like it? O to live consistent lives! The NT meanings of apecho vary considerably depending on the context but basically convey 4 ideas: (1) Apecho was used as a commercial technical term meaning "to receive a sum in full and give a receipt for it". (Mt 6:2, 6:5, 6:16). In the papyri apecho is used repeatedly in the sense of “I have received” as a technical expression in drawing up a receipt. And so it can refer to a commercial receipt which gives way to the NT meaning to receive in full payment, to have in full or to have received what one had a right to except (e.g., referring to Paul's financial support from the church at Philippi - Phil 4:18). A similar meaning is to receive back a person (Philemon 1:15). (2) Apecho is used literally to describe a measurement of distance and so to be distant or a given distance away (of the boat from the land - Mt 14:24) or figuratively to describe separation or distance from a person (of one's heart from - God Mt 15:8) (3) In the middle voice apecho (apechomai) is used to mean abstain from or keep away from something (Acts 15:20, 29, 1Th 4:3, 1Th 5:22-note, 1Pe 2:11-note) (4) Apecho conveys the meaning it is enough or sufficient, referring to sleep in Mark 14:41. Apechomai is used 19 times in the NT and is translated --abstain (5), abstaining (1), away (1), have back (1), have in full (3), have received in full (1), it is enough (1), off (1), receiving in full (1), was away (2). Matthew 6:2 (note) When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. (Comment: Here apecho means to receive payment in full. Apecho was often used in the sense of receipting an account which has been paid in full.) Matthew 6:5 (note) "And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. (Comment: Deissmann writes that "in the Sermon on the Mount we are led to understand “they can sign the receipt of their reward: their right to receive the reward is realised, precisely as if they had already given a receipt for it” from Light from the Ancient East) Matthew 6:16 (note) "And whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. Matthew 14:24 But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. Matthew 15:8 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. Mark 7:6 And He said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. Mark 14:41 And He came the third time, and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. (Comment: Here apecho could be construed to mean "Enough of this!") Luke 6:24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. Luke 7:6 Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; Luke 15:20 "And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him. Luke 24:13 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Acts 15:20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. Acts 15:29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell." Philippians 4:18 (note) But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 1Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 1Thessalonians 5:22 (note) abstain from every form of evil (literally abstain from all which "strikes the eye" or is exposed to view!) 1 Timothy 4:3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from (present tense = continually) foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. Philemon 1:15 For perhaps he was for this reason parted from you for a while, that you should have him back forever, 1 Peter 2:11 (note) Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain (present tense = continually) from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. Apecho is used some 29 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Ge 43:23; 44:4; Num. 32:19; Deut. 12:21; 8.22" class="scriptRef">18:22; 1 Sam. 21:5; Job 1:1, 8; 2:3; 13.21" class="scriptRef">13:21; 28:28; Ps. 103:12; Prov. 3:27; 9:18; 15:29; 22:5; 23:4, 13; Isa. 29:13; 54:14; 55:9; Jer. 7:10; Ezek. 8:6; 11:15; 22:5; Joel 1:13; 2:8; 3:8; Mal. 3:6) where Job provides a good illustration of one who abstained from evil... Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job, and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away (Lxx = apechomai in the middle voice indicating Job initiated this action) from evil. Job 1:8 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away (Lxx = apechomai in the middle voice indicating Job initiated this action) from evil." Job 2:3 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away (Lxx = apechomai in the middle voice indicating Job initiated this action) from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to ruin him without cause. What was Job's "secret" of abstaining to the point that God Himself testified to his pattern of abstinence? The passages indicate that Job had a healthy fear of God, a fear of offending Him, a fear of impugning His character and a fear of "disappointing" His goodness and lovingkindness. Fear of the Lord is a powerful motivating force the Spirit uses to energizes the saint's abstaining from evil. Paul describes a similar dynamic in his letter to the church at Corinth situated in the midst of a sex saturated society that was energized by pagan idolatry... Therefore, having these promises (read them in 2Cor 6:16,17,18 and also the three commands to Come out from their midst and be separate....and do not touch what is unclean), beloved, let us cleanse ourselves (our part in daily sanctification) from all defilement of flesh and spirit, (continually, habitually) perfecting holiness (hagiosune) in the fear of God (practically reflected in a self-distrust, a serious caution, a tenderness of conscience, a watchfulness against temptation and a courageous withdrawing from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ our Bridegroom). (2Corinthians 7:1-note) Based on Paul's exhortation to the Corinthians, why do you think so few individuals are serious about a pursuit of holiness? In the context it appears that it is because there is such a low level of healthy, reverential fear of God, either as a Father or as a Judge, both of which should serve to activate a vigorous, Spirit empowered, pursuit of holiness. (1Pe 1:17-note, He 12:28-note) Dwight L. Moody (See "Why God Used Dwight L. Moody" by R. A. Torrey) once said that... A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine. “It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. We are told to let our light shine, and if it does we won’t need to tell anybody it does. The light will be its own witness. Lighthouses don’t ring bells and fire cannon to call attention to their shining—they just shine.” One of the best illustrations of abstaining I have ever read comes from the world of nature where Our Daily Bread relates the story that... In the forests of northern Europe and Asia lives little animal called the ermine, known for his snow-white fur in winter. He instinctively protects his white coat against anything that would soil it. Fur hunters take advantage of this unusual trait of the ermine. They don’t set a snare to catch him, but instead they find his home, which is usually a cleft in a rock or a hollow in an old tree. They smear the entrance and interior with grime. Then the hunters set their dogs loose to find and chase the ermine. The frightened animal flees toward home but doesn’t enter because of the filth. Rather than soil his white coat, he is trapped by the dogs and captured while preserving his purity. For the ermine, purity is more precious than life. - H G Bosch (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) How can believers stay pure in an impure world? Here are just a few Scriptural guidelines... • By hiding God's Holy Word in our hearts (Ps 119:11) and in obedience living holy lives according to God’s Word (Ps 119:9) • By walking continually under the control of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 24, 25, Eph 5:18, 19, 20-see notes Ep 5:18; 19; 20). • By making the conscious, Spirit controlled and empowered, choice not to lust (Job 31:1, Ps 101:3, see Mt 5:28, 29, 30-notes Mt 5:28; 29; 30, Col 3:5-note, Ro 8:13-note). • By consciously, continually choosing to flee from sexual temptations (even the "form" of - see note 1Thes 5:22) and pursuing righteousness (2Ti 2:22-note, cf Joseph in Genesis 39:12, 13)

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Abstain (keep away from, avoid)(568) apechomai or apecho

Greek Word Studies

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