APHESIS (Forgiveness)

What is the Word?

Forgiveness is a foundational theme of the Biblical narrative. It’s not surprising that we should find several Greek words that communicate the English idea of forgiveness in the scriptures. The word we will be studying today is Aphesis.

How does the Bible use this word?

As is common in the Greek language, what is referred to as forgiveness in English is expressed as a compound word in the Greek manuscript. This is the case with the word Aphesis, which finds its origin in the word aphiémi, a compound verb. Aphiémi is the combination of the preposition apó (away from), and hiēmi (send, dispatch). Taken together, it carries the idea of sending something away or releasing something (especially the release of a slave or prisoner). Used in the context of forgiveness, we might say that it “releases” one of the guilt of their actions or “unbinds” them from the burden of their sin or transgression.

Where in the Bible?

In Luke chapter 4, Jesus uses the word in an interesting way when he is at the Nazareth Synagogue on the Sabbath. He was reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

    because he has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty (ἄφεσιν) to the captives

    and recovering of sight to the blind,

    to set at liberty (ἀφέσει) those who are oppressed,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Here we see the broadness and flexibility of the word Aphesis. What is translated in the English Standard Version of the Bible as liberty might just as easily be translated as “deliverance” or even “pardon.” Jesus is saying that he himself is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy and that he alone has the authority to release those who are held down by their sins.

 

We also see the word used by Jesus in the institution of the Lord ’s Supper:

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness (ἄφεσιν) of sins.” (Mt 26:27-28)

Jesus directly connects the forgiveness of our sins to his own blood, the blood that will be poured out for us on the cross explicitly to forgive each and every one of us. This blood releases us from slavery to sin, death, and the Devil. It reorients us away from ourselves and back toward God and one another.

Extending Aphesis

The great thing about studying Greek is we can see entire new dynamics opening up when we understand the original meanings of words and what they are associated with. It is noteworthy that this word has such a close relationship with the idea of releasing prisoners. Forgiveness releases both parties from captivity. For the one who has sinned against us, it releases them from the burden of their guilt and sets them free to live and, when possible, attempt to restore the relationship. For those who are sinned against, forgiveness releases them from the captivity of pain and resentment which can callous our hearts and turn us away from the love of God and the love of others. Thus, we see the true joy of forgiveness and the power it holds.

Written By Drew Matz