ἀποστασία (G646) — Greek Lexicon

ἀποστασία

apostasía

G646 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ἀποστα- to stand apart, to leave, to withdraw, to abandon

Definition

A condition or act of departure or rebellion, particularly a defection from a previously held allegiance or faith. In various contexts, ἀποστασία refers to abandonment, revolt, or distancing from a group, tradition, or agreement; especially a renunciation or withdrawal from a religious, political, or social affiliation.

Semantic Range

desertion, rebellion, defection, apostasy, insurrection, withdrawal from allegiance, abandonment (especially of faith or loyalty)

Root / Etymology

From ἀφίστημι (to set apart, to withdraw, to depart), derived from the preposition ἀπό (from) and ἵστημι (to stand), with the nominal suffix -ία. Closely related to ἀποστάσιον (certificate of divorce), both sharing the sense of separation or standing apart.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek literature, ἀποστασία is found in reference to political rebellion or insurrection (e.g., Thucydides), meaning a revolt or desertion. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint (LXX) and Second Temple literature, it carries both political meanings (rebellion, uprising) and, increasingly, religious ones (defection from faith, apostasy). In the Septuagint, it sometimes translates Hebrew terms for unfaithfulness (e.g., מַעַל, מָעַל) or rebellion against the deity of Israel. In the New Testament (notably 2 Thessalonians 2:3), ἀποστασία names a collective falling away or turning aside, most often interpreted as a rejection or abandonment of a religious conviction or a foundational truth. English translations frequently render it as “apostasy” or “falling away,” but these terms sometimes narrow the sense to religious contexts, while the Greek may also designate political disloyalty or social desertion. Context, therefore, is decisive for determining whether religious, political, or other forms of abandonment are intended. Contrasts with terms like ἁμαρτία (sin) or πλάνη (error), which denote moral failure or deception rather than the act of renunciation or revolt.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of the same as ἀποστάσιον; defection from truth (properly, the state) ("apostasy"):--falling away, forsake.

Root Family

ἀποστασία (apostasía) — standing apart, departure, withdrawal, abandonment, defection

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G646-02`	ἀποστασίαν	apostasian	`N ACC F SG`	apostasy	defection	1
`G646-01`	ἀποστασία	apostasia	`N NOM F SG`	rebellion	defection	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G646-02`	Acts 21:21	ἀποστασίαν	apostasian	`N ACC F SG`	apostasy	defection
`G646-01`	2 Thessalonians 2:3	ἀποστασία	apostasia	`N NOM F SG`	rebellion	defection

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