χωρίζω

I separate, depart

Definition

The verb χωρίζω primarily means 'to separate' or 'to divide.' In the New Testament, it is used in both active and passive/reflexive senses. In its active sense, it describes an external action of putting apart, such as when God is said to join a married couple and 'no one should separate' them (Matthew 19:6, Mark 10:9). In its passive or middle voice, it means to depart or withdraw from a person or place, as when Paul 'left' Athens for Corinth (Acts 18:1) or when Priscilla and Aquila had recently 'left' Rome (Acts 18:2). It also powerfully describes a spiritual separation, asserting that nothing in all creation can 'separate' us from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:35, 39).

Biblical Usage

Χωρίζω appears 12 times across the Gospels, Acts, and the Pauline epistles. Its usage falls into clear patterns. In the Gospels (Matthew 19:6, Mark 10:9), it is used in legal or covenantal contexts concerning the dissolution of marriage. In Acts (Acts 1:4, 18:1-2), it describes physical departure or geographical separation. In Paul's letters, especially Romans 8:35-39, it is used theologically and metaphorically to describe the impossibility of being severed from God's love, which is its most significant and repeated application.

Etymology

The verb χωρίζω is derived from the noun χώρα, meaning 'space, place, or country.' It is related to χωρίς, a preposition meaning 'apart from' or 'without.' The core idea is creating a space or distance between entities, which developed into the meanings of separating, dividing, or departing.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant, especially in Paul's writings. In Romans 8:35-39, Paul uses a form of χωρίζω to emphatically declare the believer's eternal security in Christ. The assertion that nothing can 'separate' us from God's love is a cornerstone of the doctrine of assurance and God's persevering grace. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of Jesus' teaching on marriage (Matthew 19:6) by emphasizing that divorce is an active, forceful separation of what God has joined, contrasting with the unbreakable bond of divine love.

In the context of marriage (Matthew 19:6), the word carried strong legal and social weight. Divorce (a formal act of 'separating') was a male-privileged action in Jewish and Greco-Roman law. Jesus' command that humans 'must not separate' what God has joined directly challenged permissible cultural practices, elevating marriage to a divine institution. The concept of separation from God's love (Romans 8) would also resonate in a culture familiar with ideas of divine favor and disfavor.

ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi, G868) — emphasizes a standing off or desertion, often with a sense of rebellion or apostasy. διαστέλλω (diastellō, G1291) — to distinguish or command with distinction, focusing on setting boundaries or giving orders. μερίζω (merizō, G3307) — to divide into parts or distribute, focusing on apportioning rather than creating distance.

Word Details

Scripture References