ἀποδέχομαι

I receive, welcome, entertain

Definition

ἀποδέχομαι means to receive or welcome someone or something, often with a sense of approval, acceptance, or hospitality. In Luke 8:40, the crowd 'welcomed' Jesus, indicating a warm, expectant reception. In Acts, it frequently describes the positive acceptance of people or messages by a community, such as the Jerusalem church welcoming Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:4) or the disciples in Jerusalem receiving Apollos (Acts 18:27). It can also imply receiving or entertaining a person as a guest, as seen when Paul welcomed all who came to him in Rome (Acts 28:30).

Biblical Usage

This verb is used six times in the New Testament, exclusively in Luke and Acts, highlighting its role in Luke's narrative of the early church's growth. It appears in contexts of communal acceptance: welcoming a person (Jesus in Luke 8:40, Apollos in Acts 18:27), receiving a report (Acts 15:4), or accepting a statement (Acts 24:3). A key pattern is its use for the positive reception of people or news by a group, often marking moments of unity or endorsement within the Christian community, such as the 3,000 who 'welcomed' Peter's message at Pentecost (Acts 2:41).

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀπό (apo, often meaning 'from') and δέχομαι (dechomai, 'to receive' or 'accept'). The prefix ἀπό can intensify the root verb, giving ἀποδέχομαι a sense of receiving something fully or favorably, sometimes from a source. It emphasizes a deliberate and welcoming acceptance, distinct from simply taking something.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it illustrates key aspects of Christian community and mission. It depicts the church's open reception of the gospel (Acts 2:41), messengers (Acts 18:27), and God's work (Acts 15:4). Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting that early Christian fellowship involved intentional, welcoming acceptance—both of truth and of people—which was vital for church unity and growth.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, hospitality (xenia) was a crucial social virtue. To 'receive' or 'welcome' (ἀποδέχομαι) someone often carried strong connotations of offering protection, fellowship, and material provision to guests or messengers. This cultural backdrop makes the New Testament usage profound, as the early church applied this practice of welcoming hospitality not just to social peers but to strangers, apostles, and the message of Christ itself.

δέχομαι (dechomai, G1209) — a more general term for receiving or accepting; λαμβάνω (lambanō, G2983) — often means to take or receive physically, with less emphasis on welcome; προσδέχομαι (prosdechomai, G4327) — to receive favorably, await, or accept, with a stronger sense of expectation.

Word Details

Scripture References