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ἀπολογέομαι

apologéomai

G626 verb

SILEX Entry

Root λογ- to speak, to reason, to account

Definition

To speak in one's own defense, to make a formal reply or defense in response to accusations, questions, or criticism, especially in legal, judicial, or adversarial settings. More broadly, the verb can be used for providing an explanation or justification of one's actions or beliefs, not necessarily in a formal court context.

Semantic Range

to respond in defense, to make a formal legal defense, to justify oneself, to give an explanation, to reply to charges or criticism, to answer for oneself

Root / Etymology

From ἀπό ('away from, in reply to') + λέγω ('to speak'); properly, 'to speak back' or 'to reply off/away.' Derived from the compound noun ἀπολογία ('defense, speech in defense'). Middle deponent verb form.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἀπολογέομαι primarily refers to making a legal defense or reply when formally accused, especially in courts at Athens or in rhetorical contexts. In Hellenistic Greek and the Koine, its use broadens to include any formal or reasoned defense, whether in judicial, religious, or personal dispute settings. In the New Testament, it appears notably in contexts of judicial defense (e.g. Paul's hearings), but also with wider reference to explaining or justifying actions or beliefs. English translations such as 'make defense,' 'defend oneself,' or 'give an account' often reflect the word's legal or rhetorical functions, but can sometimes narrow its broader sense of explanation or justification. The English term 'apology' (in its older sense) and 'apologetics' both derive ultimately from this root, though modern usage has shifted the sense in English.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

middle voice from a compound of ἀπό and λόγος; to give an account (legal plea) of oneself, i.e. exculpate (self):--answer (for self), make defence, excuse (self), speak for self.

Root Family

ἀπολογέομαι (apologeomai) — to speak, to reason, to account, to defend oneself

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G626-07 ἀπολογουμένου apologoumenou V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG defending himself of one defending himself 2
G626-02 ἀπολογεῖσθαι apologeisthai V PRS MID INF defend myself to speak in one's defense 2
G626-04 ἀπολογηθῆναι apologethenai V AOR PASS INF to defend to speak in defense 1
G626-08 ἀπολογούμεθα apologoumetha V PRS MID IND 1P PL we are defending ourselves 1
G626-05 ἀπολογοῦμαι apologoumai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I make my defense I speak in my defense 1
G626-01 ἀπελογεῖτο apelogeito V IMPF MID IND 3P SG made his defense was defending himself 1
G626-06 ἀπολογουμένων apologoumenon V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL of those defending themselves 1
G626-03 ἀπολογήσησθε apologesesthe V AOR MID SUBJ 2P PL you will defend yourselves you may defend yourselves 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G626-03 Luke 12:11 ἀπολογήσησθε apologesesthe V AOR MID SUBJ 2P PL you will defend yourselves you may defend yourselves
G626-04 Luke 21:14 ἀπολογηθῆναι apologethenai V AOR PASS INF to defend to speak in defense
G626-02 Acts 19:33 ἀπολογεῖσθαι apologeisthai V PRS MID INF make his defence to speak in one's defense
G626-05 Acts 24:10 ἀπολογοῦμαι apologoumai V PRS MID IND 1P SG I make my defense I speak in my defense
G626-07 Acts 25:8 ἀπολογουμένου apologoumenou V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG defending himself of one defending himself
G626-01 Acts 26:1 ἀπελογεῖτο apelogeito V IMPF MID IND 3P SG made his defense was defending himself
G626-02 Acts 26:2 ἀπολογεῖσθαι apologeisthai V PRS MID INF defend myself to speak in one's defense
G626-07 Acts 26:24 ἀπολογουμένου apologoumenou V PRS MID PTCP GEN M SG defending himself of one defending himself
G626-06 Romans 2:15 ἀπολογουμένων apologoumenon V PRS MID PTCP GEN M PL of those defending themselves
G626-08 2 Corinthians 12:19 ἀπολογούμεθα apologoumetha V PRS MID IND 1P PL we are defending ourselves
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