ἐκκλίνω

I fall away from, turn away

Definition

ἐκκλίνω means to turn away, deviate, or avoid. In its literal sense, it describes physically turning aside from a path, as in the Septuagint quotation in Romans 3:12, which speaks of all having 'turned aside' from God's way. In ethical and relational contexts, it means to deliberately avoid or shun something harmful or evil. For instance, Romans 16:17 instructs believers to 'turn away from' those causing divisions, and 1 Peter 3:11 commands to 'turn away from evil' in pursuit of peace.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used three times in the New Testament, always in exhortative or descriptive contexts about moral and spiritual direction. In Romans 3:12 (quoting Psalm 14:3), it describes humanity's universal deviation from God. In Romans 16:17, it is a direct command for church discipline, advising avoidance of divisive people. In 1 Peter 3:11 (quoting Psalm 34:14), it is part of ethical instruction to actively shun evil. The usage consistently involves a deliberate turning away from a person, path, or practice.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek, meaning 'out of' or 'from') and the verb κλίνω (klinō, meaning 'to bend' or 'to incline'). The compound form intensifies the sense of bending or leaning away from something. The root klinō is also seen in words like κλίνη (klinē, 'bed') and παρακλίνω (paraklinō, 'to decline' or 'avoid').

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it captures the active human response required in both salvation and sanctification. It underscores the concept of repentance as a turning away from sin (as in 1 Peter 3:11) and highlights the believer's responsibility to maintain doctrinal and communal purity by avoiding false teachers (Romans 16:17). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by emphasizing that faithfulness is not passive but involves a decisive reorientation of one's life away from what opposes God.

In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of 'turning aside' had strong ethical connotations in philosophical discourse about virtue and vice. The command to 'turn away' in community settings (Romans 16:17) would resonate with cultural understandings of social boundaries and the need to protect group cohesion from harmful influences.

ἀποστρέφω (apostrephō, G654) — emphasizes a stronger, more complete turning back or rejection. στρέφω (strephō, G4762) — a more general term for turning or changing direction, without the inherent sense of avoidance. ἐκτρέπω (ektrepō, G1624) — also means to turn aside, often used for straying from truth or turning to myths.

Word Details

Scripture References