Aphistēmi, Apostasia

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Aphistēmi

ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi) is a compound verb formed from ἀπό (from, away from) + ἵστημι (to stand, to set).

Basic Parsing:

• Present Active Infinitive: ἀφιστάναι

• Future Active Indicative: ἀποστήσω

• Aorist Active: ἀπέστην

• Perfect Active: ἀφέστηκα

Range of meanings:

1. Intransitive (aorist, perfect, future tenses):

   • to withdraw from

   • to depart from

   • to fall away from

   • to keep away from

2. Transitive (present, imperfect, future tenses):

   • to cause to withdraw

   • to remove

   • to lead away

Key Biblical Usage:

1. Physical departure:

• Luke 2:37 - Anna "never departed (ἀφίστατο - imperfect) from the temple"

• Luke 4:13 - Satan "departed (ἀπέστη - aorist) from him until an opportune time"

• Acts 12:10 - The angel "departed (ἀπέστη - aorist) from him"

2. Spiritual apostasy/falling away:

• Luke 8:13 - "in time of testing fall away (ἀφίστανται - present)"

• 1 Timothy 4:1 - "some will depart (ἀποστήσονται - future) from the faith"

• Hebrews 3:12 - "turning away (ἀποστῆναι - aorist infinitive) from the living God"

3. Withdrawal or separation:

• Acts 5:38 - "Keep away (ἀπόστητε - aorist imperative) from these men"

• Acts 15:38 - "had withdrawn (ἀποστάντα - aorist participle) from them in Pamphylia"

• 2 Corinthians 12:8 - "to depart (ἀποστῇ - aorist subjunctive) from me"

Extra-Biblical Usage:

 The word appears in classical Greek literature with similar meanings of physical separation or withdrawal. In the Septuagint (LXX), it often translates Hebrew words related to turning away from God (סור - sur) or rebellion (מרד - marad).

Theological Significance:

The word carries particular weight in passages dealing with apostasy or falling away from the faith. Its use in 1 Timothy 4:1 and Hebrews 3:12 is especially significant in discussions about perseverance and apostasy. The physical meaning of "standing away from" develops into the metaphorical sense of abandoning a previous commitment or belief.

Apostasia

ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi) is indeed used in both Acts 21:21 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Let me analyse these contexts and add other related uses:

Acts 21:21
"κατηχήθησαν δὲ περὶ σοῦ ὅτι ἀποστασίαν διδάσκεις ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως"
Here, interestingly, we see the noun form ἀποστασίαν (apostasian) rather than the verb ἀφίστημι, but it's from the same root. The accusation against Paul was that he was teaching Jews to "forsake" or "depart from" Moses' teachings.

2 Thessalonians 2:3
"ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ ἔλθῃ ἡ ἀποστασία πρῶτον"
Again, we see the noun form ἀποστασία (apostasia). In this eschatological context, it refers to "the rebellion" or "the falling away" that must precede the Day of the Lord.

Other significant uses:

1. Acts 5:37
   "ἀπέστησεν λαὸν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ"
   Here the verb is used of Judas the Galilean who "drew away" people after him in revolt.

2. 1 Timothy 4:1
   "ἀποστήσονται τινες τῆς πίστεως"
   The verb form is used to describe those who will "depart from the faith."

3. Hebrews 3:12
   "ἐν τῷ ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ θεοῦ ζῶντος"
   The infinitive form describing "departing from the living God."

Contextual Meaning Analysis:

• In Acts 21:21, the noun form refers to religious apostasy specifically from Mosaic law

• In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, the noun describes a significant eschatological event of rebellion/apostasy

• The word family (both verb and noun forms) consistently carries the idea of:

  1. Deliberate separation

  2. Movement away from a previously held position

  3. Can be physical, political, or spiritual departure

The theological weight of these uses, especially in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, is significant as it describes a specific future event of rebellion or apostasy that will precede the Day of the Lord. This is not just individual apostasy but appears to be a broader movement of rebellion against God.