ἐκκλάω

Pronunciation Guide: ek-klah’-o (emphasis on second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1575: ἐκκλάω (ekklaō) describes the deliberate action of breaking off or breaking away branches from a tree or plant. In its biblical context, it specifically refers to the agricultural practice of removing unproductive branches to promote overall health or to prepare for grafting. The term carries significant theological weight in Paul’s olive tree metaphor in Romans, representing God’s sovereign actions in salvation history.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Components: Compound of ἐκ (ek, “out from, away from”) + κλάω (klaō, “to break”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Didactic/teaching passages, specifically in Pauline theological exposition
• Tense Classification: Present active indicative

ἐκκλάω Morphology:

• ἐκκλάω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I break off
• ἐκκλᾷς (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you break off
• ἐκκλᾷ (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it breaks off
• ἐξεκλάσθησαν (aorist passive indicative, 3rd person plural) – they were broken off
• ἐκκλασθήσονται (future passive indicative, 3rd person plural) – they will be broken off

Origin & History

The verb ἐκκλάω has its origins in classical Greek agricultural and horticultural contexts. It combines the preposition ἐκ (out from, away from) with κλάω (to break), creating a term that specifically denotes breaking off branches. While not particularly common in classical Greek literature, similar terminology appears in Theophrastus’ “Historia Plantarum” (Enquiry into Plants), where he discusses various pruning and grafting techniques.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the simple verb κλάω appears primarily in contexts related to breaking bread or other objects, but the compound form ἐκκλάω is notably absent. This suggests that Paul’s usage in Romans represents a specialized adaptation of agricultural terminology to serve his theological argument. The specificity of this term highlights Paul’s careful selection of vocabulary to illustrate complex theological concepts through familiar agricultural practices known to his audience.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• The intentional removal of branches from a tree or plant, specifically for the purpose of grafting or improving plant health
• The breaking off or separation of unproductive elements
• The sovereign act of removal from a privileged position or relationship
• The decisive separation from an original source

ἐκκλάω Translation Options:

• Break off – Emphasizes the forceful nature of the action and remains closest to the literal meaning
• Prune away – Captures the agricultural context and implies purposeful improvement
• Remove by breaking – Highlights the completeness of separation while maintaining the sense of fracture
• Cut off – Though slightly less precise, this conveys the concept in more familiar English gardening terminology
• Sever – Emphasizes the resulting separation more than the action itself

Biblical Usage

The verb ἐκκλάω appears exclusively in Romans 11, specifically in verses 17, 19, and 20, where Paul develops his extended metaphor of the olive tree to explain the complex relationship between Israel and Gentile believers. In this agricultural analogy, natural branches (representing unbelieving Jews) are “broken off” (ἐξεκλάσθησαν) from the cultivated olive tree due to unbelief, while wild olive branches (representing Gentile believers) are grafted in against nature. The imagery powerfully illustrates both God’s judgment and mercy, demonstrating how He can incorporate foreign elements into His covenant people.

Paul’s careful selection of this specific horticultural term shows his familiarity with agricultural practices and his rhetorical skill in using them to communicate profound theological truths. The passive voice used in these instances (ἐξεκλάσθησαν – “they were broken off”) emphasizes God’s sovereign action rather than human agency in this process.

• “[But] if some of the branches were broken off [ἐξεκλάσθησαν], and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree…” Romans 11:17
• “Then you will say, ‘Branches were broken off [ἐξεκλάσθησαν] so that I might be grafted in.’” Romans 11:19
• “That is true. They were broken off [ἐξεκλάσθησαν] because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.” Romans 11:20
• “And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.” Romans 11:23

Cultural Insights

In the Mediterranean world of the first century, olive cultivation was not merely an agricultural practice but an essential component of economic and social life. The olive tree was particularly valued for its longevity (some trees producing fruit for hundreds of years), its minimal maintenance requirements, and its multiple products (oil for cooking, lighting, and medicinal uses; wood for construction and fuel). The process of grafting was well-understood by Paul’s audience, making his metaphor especially vivid.

What’s particularly remarkable about Paul’s metaphor is that he describes a grafting process that goes contrary to standard agricultural practice. Normally, cultivated olive branches would be grafted onto wild rootstock, not the reverse. By intentionally reversing this practice in his illustration (wild branches onto cultivated stock), Paul emphasizes the extraordinary and unnatural character of God’s grace toward the Gentiles. This unexpected reversal would have been immediately noticeable to his original readers, highlighting how God’s ways often contradict human expectations and conventional wisdom.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of ἐκκλάω in Romans 11 are profound and multifaceted. First, it represents God’s sovereign judgment against unbelief. The breaking off of natural branches demonstrates that covenant privileges alone do not guarantee salvation—faith is the essential requirement. This reveals God’s perfect justice in dealing with hardened hearts while simultaneously maintaining His covenant faithfulness.

Second, the term plays a crucial role in Paul’s larger argument about the relationship between Israel and the Church. The breaking off is not final or irreversible; indeed, Paul explicitly states that God is able to graft the natural branches back in if they do not persist in unbelief (Romans 11:23). This reflects the hope of Israel’s future restoration and ultimately points to God’s overarching plan of redemption that encompasses both Jews and Gentiles. The metaphor demonstrates that God has not rejected His people Israel completely, but rather is working through their temporary hardening to bring salvation to the Gentiles.

Third, ἐκκλάω reminds us of the humility required of all believers. Paul warns Gentile Christians against arrogance toward the broken-off branches, emphasizing that they stand only by faith, not by inherent merit. This reveals God’s impartiality and the grace-based nature of salvation for all people, regardless of ethnic background.

Personal Application

Understanding the meaning of ἐκκλάω invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of our relationship with God. Just as branches remain connected to the tree only through organic attachment to the root, our spiritual life flows only through genuine connection to the Messiah. This should inspire both gratitude and humility—gratitude for God’s merciful grafting of us “against nature” into His family, and humility knowing that this position is not based on our merit but solely on His grace through faith.

This word also challenges us to examine our hearts for any signs of spiritual pride or presumption. Paul explicitly warns against arrogance toward those who have been “broken off,” reminding us that we stand only by faith. When we encounter those who do not believe, our response should not be superiority but compassionate prayer for their grafting in—remembering always that if God can graft wild branches contrary to nature, how much more easily can He restore natural branches to their original tree!

Related Words

• κλάω (klaō, “to break”) – The simple verb form refers to breaking, especially breaking bread, without the specific nuance of breaking off or away from something. This term appears frequently in New Testament accounts of the Lord’s Supper and other meal contexts. See G2806
• ἐκκόπτω (ekkoptō, “to cut out, cut off”) – While similar in meaning, this term implies cutting rather than breaking and is often used in contexts of judgment or removal of hindrances. Yeshua uses this term when speaking of cutting off offending limbs in Matthew 5:30. See G1581
• ἀποκόπτω (apokoptō, “to cut off completely”) – A stronger term for complete separation or amputation, used by Paul in Galatians 5:12 to express his frustration with Judaizers. See G609
• ἐκριζόω (ekrizoō, “to uproot”) – Rather than breaking or cutting branches, this term refers to removing the entire plant with its roots, representing more complete destruction or removal. Yeshua uses this term in His parables about uprooting. See G1610
• ἐγκεντρίζω (egkentrizō, “to graft in”) – The complementary term to ἐκκλάω in Paul’s olive tree metaphor, describing the insertion of foreign branches into the cultivated tree. This represents God’s merciful inclusion of Gentiles into His covenant. See G1461

Did you Know?

• Did you know that the grafting process described by Paul in Romans 11 using ἐκκλάω actually reverses normal agricultural practice? Typically, cultivated olive branches would be grafted onto wild rootstock to benefit from the wild plant’s hardiness while producing better fruit. Paul’s metaphor of wild branches being grafted onto a cultivated tree would have seemed unusual and counterintuitive to his readers, highlighting the extraordinary nature of God’s grace toward Gentiles.
• Did you know that olive trees in the Mediterranean world can live for hundreds, even thousands of years? Some ancient olive trees in Israel and the surrounding regions are estimated to be over 2,000 years old—meaning they could have been standing during the time of Yeshua and the apostles. This longevity gives additional resonance to Paul’s olive tree metaphor, as it represents God’s enduring covenant faithfulness across generations.
• Did you know that skilled olive growers in the ancient world could revitalize aging, unproductive olive trees through a process called “renewal pruning”? This involved cutting back major branches (ἐκκλάω) nearly to the trunk, which would stimulate new, productive growth. This agricultural reality beautifully parallels Paul’s theological point that God’s “breaking off” can ultimately serve a restorative purpose in His redemptive plan.

Remember This

ἐκκλάω reminds us that in God’s sovereign orchard, both His severity and kindness serve His redemptive purposes—breaking off to humble, grafting in to save, all to display the wonders of His grace that defies natural expectations.