ἀποδίδωμι

I give back, return, sell

Definition

ἀποδίδωμι is a versatile verb meaning 'to give back, return, or render.' In its most basic sense, it refers to restoring something to its rightful owner, as seen in the parable of the unforgiving servant who is commanded to repay a debt (Matthew 18:25). It also carries the meaning of fulfilling an obligation or rendering what is due, such as giving rewards at the judgment (Matthew 16:27) or giving alms in secret (Matthew 6:4). In the middle voice, it can mean 'to sell,' as in disposing of property. The word emphasizes a completed action of delivering something that is owed, whether a physical object, a payment, or a just consequence.

Biblical Usage

This verb appears 46 times in the New Testament, with significant concentration in the Gospels (especially Matthew) and the Pauline epistles. In Matthew, it is often used in teachings about justice, repayment, and divine recompense (e.g., Matthew 5:26, 6:6, 12:36). Paul employs it in contexts of fulfilling obligations, such as paying taxes (Romans 13:7) or a wife giving her conjugal rights (1 Corinthians 7:3). The middle voice usage for 'selling' is less common but appears in passages like Acts 5:8. The word consistently appears in contexts involving reciprocity, debt, or moral/legal duty.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀπό (apo, meaning 'from' or 'away') and the verb δίδωμι (didōmi, 'to give'). Thus, it literally means 'to give away from' or 'to give back.' This composition underscores the idea of giving something that originates from or is owed to another party. It is not from ἀ- (a negative prefix) as previously noted; that was an error. The root δίδωμι is common, making ἀποδίδωμι a compound that intensifies or specifies the direction of the giving.

Semantic Range

ἀποδίδωμι is theologically significant as it is closely tied to the biblical concepts of justice, recompense, and covenant faithfulness. It highlights God's nature as a just judge who 'will repay each person according to what they have done' (Matthew 16:27, Romans 2:6). It also informs the believer's ethical life, framing our duties—whether to God or neighbor—as debts to be faithfully rendered (Romans 13:7-8). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by revealing the strong link between divine judgment and human responsibility, emphasizing that all accounts will ultimately be settled by God.

In the Greco-Roman world, this verb was embedded in legal and commercial language concerning debts, contracts, and social obligations. The cultural understanding of debt was more holistic than today, encompassing moral and religious duties, not just financial ones. For instance, fulfilling vows (Matthew 5:33) or providing reciprocal care in relationships (1 Corinthians 7:3) were seen as 'repayments.' The middle voice meaning 'to sell' reflects standard marketplace terminology. This cultural backdrop shows that biblical commands to 'render' something often appealed to widely recognized social and legal norms of reciprocity and justice.

δίδωμι (didōmi, G1325) — The simpler root verb meaning 'to give,' without the connotation of returning or repaying. ἀποτίθημι (apotithēmi, G659) — Means 'to put away' or 'lay aside,' often used metaphorically for renouncing sin, less focused on reciprocal giving. ἀνταποδίδωμι (antapodidōmi, G467) — A strengthened form meaning 'to repay' or 'requite,' often with a sense of full retaliation or recompense, used for divine vengeance or reward (Luke 14:14, Romans 12:19).

Word Details

Scripture References