verb

ἐκκλείω

0
ekkleiō
September 19, 2025
Greek
Important Words, Unique Words

Pronunciation Guide: ek-kli’-o (with the ‘e’ as in ‘bet’, ‘k’ as in ‘keep’, ‘l’ as in ‘light’, ‘i’ as in ‘machine’, and ‘o’ as in ‘go’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1576: Ἐκκλείω means to shut out, exclude, or prevent access. The word conveys the decisive action of closing something off so that entry is impossible. In biblical usage, it specifically refers to the removal or elimination of something (particularly boasting or pride) that has no place in God’s economy of grace and faith.

Etymology and Morphology

  • Part of speech: Verb
  • Root words: Compound of ἐκ (ek, “out of/from”) + κλείω (kleiō, “to shut/close”)
  • Language origin: Koine Greek
  • Primary usage: Found in teaching and doctrinal sections
  • Voice/tense options: Primarily used in passive and aorist forms
  • Compound structure: Preposition + verb construction

Ἐκκλείω Morphology:

  • ἐκκλείω (present active indicative) – I exclude/shut out
  • ἐκκλείομαι (present passive indicative) – I am excluded/shut out
  • ἐξεκλείσθη (aorist passive indicative) – it was excluded/shut out
  • ἐκκλεῖσαι (aorist active infinitive) – to exclude/shut out

Origin & History

The term ἐκκλείω has ancient roots in classical Greek literature, where it was used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. In its most basic sense, it described the physical action of shutting a door against someone to prevent their entry. Xenophon used it in “Cyropaedia” (7.5.27) when describing guards preventing unauthorized access to royal chambers.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, ἐκκλείω appears in contexts relating to exclusion from community or covenant benefits. For example, in 3 Maccabees 4:11, it describes Jews being “shut out” from the rights of citizenship. This usage established a theological foundation for Paul’s later application in Romans, where the concept shifts to the exclusion of boasting within the context of salvation by faith.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

  • To shut out or exclude completely from a place or privilege
  • To close off access decisively
  • To prevent or eliminate something unwanted
  • To render impossible or ineffective
  • To bar from participation or consideration

Ἐκκλείω Translation Options:

  • Exclude – Emphasizes the removal from participation, capturing the sense of being outside a group or benefit
  • Shut out – Conveys the physical imagery of closing a door against someone, highlighting the decisiveness of the action
  • Eliminate – Best captures the sense in Romans 3:27 where boasting is not merely restricted but completely removed from consideration
  • Bar – Communicates the legal aspect of being denied access rightfully, which fits with Paul’s judicial language in Romans
  • Prevent – Highlights the preventative aspect where something is stopped before it can begin

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἐκκλείω appears only twice, with its primary theological significance found in Romans 3:27, where Paul asks, “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded [ἐκκλείω].” This usage is pivotal to Paul’s argument about justification by faith apart from works of the Law. The verb appears in the aorist passive form (ἐξεκλείσθη), indicating that boasting has been definitively and completely shut out by God’s system of salvation through faith.

The only other occurrence is in Galatians 4:17, where Paul warns that false teachers “want to exclude [ἐκκλείω] you” from the genuine gospel community in order to make the Galatians seek them. This usage demonstrates how the term can apply to social and relational exclusion within the context of faith communities.

  • “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded [ἐξεκλείσθη].” Romans 3:27
  • “They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude [ἐκκλεῖσαι] you, that you may be zealous for them.” Galatians 4:17

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, doorways and gates held significant symbolic meaning beyond their practical function. The action of shutting someone out (ἐκκλείω) carried potent social implications of rejection and dishonor. When Paul employs this term in Romans 3:27, he’s drawing on cultural understandings of social boundaries and exclusion that would have resonated deeply with his original audience.

The concept also relates to ancient Jewish practice regarding those considered ritually unclean, who were temporarily “shut out” from Temple worship. By applying ἐκκλείω to human boasting, Paul cleverly inverts expectations—instead of impurity being excluded from God’s presence, it is human pride and self-righteousness that are barred at the door. This would have been a startling reversal for Jewish readers accustomed to thinking of exclusion primarily in terms of Gentile impurity rather than their own pride.

Theological Significance

Paul’s use of ἐκκλείω in Romans 3:27 represents a theological cornerstone in his presentation of justification by faith. By declaring that boasting is “excluded,” he establishes a divine boundary that no human self-righteousness can cross. This exclusion is not arbitrary but flows from the very nature of salvation as God’s gift rather than human achievement. The passive form (ἐξεκλείσθη) emphasizes that this exclusion is God’s sovereign act—He has designed the economy of salvation specifically to eliminate human pride.

This theological application reveals יהוה’s character as both just and merciful. He is just in establishing one standard for all humanity (faith), and merciful in providing a path to righteousness that depends not on human performance but on His grace. The exclusion of boasting highlights the radical equality established at the foot of the cross, where both Jew and Gentile stand justified solely through faith in the Messiah’s finished work. Thus, ἐκκλείω functions as a guardian of grace, ensuring that salvation remains God’s work from beginning to end.

Personal Application

When we understand the meaning of ἐκκλείω in our lives, we recognize that God has deliberately designed our salvation to exclude any ground for self-congratulation. This should produce profound humility—not a groveling sense of worthlessness, but the liberating realization that we don’t need to perform or compete for divine acceptance. The pressure to earn our standing before God has been permanently “shut out” by the cross.

Consider areas in your life where you might still be operating on a performance basis with God. Are there achievements, spiritual disciplines, or good deeds that subtly form the basis of your confidence before Him? Let the truth of ἐκκλείω challenge these hidden forms of self-righteousness, freeing you to rest completely in what the Messiah has accomplished. When boasting is excluded, thanksgiving takes its place—and gratitude, unlike pride, opens the door to authentic relationship with God and others.

  • ἀποκλείω (apokleiō) – to shut out completely, to close off access. This term emphasizes complete separation, but lacks the specific theological application Paul gives to ἐκκλείω in Romans. See G608
  • κλείω (kleiō) – to shut, close. The root verb from which ἐκκλείω is formed, lacking the intensification of the “ἐκ” prefix. Often used for closing doors or gates in both literal and metaphorical contexts. See G2808
  • ἀποδιορίζω (apodiorizō) – to separate, create divisions. While not semantically identical to ἐκκλείω, it shares the concept of creating boundaries or separations, though typically between people rather than excluding concepts. See G592
  • ἐξωθέω (exōtheō) – to drive out, expel forcibly. Contains more active force than ἐκκλείω, suggesting pushing out rather than shutting out. See G1856
  • χωρίζω (chōrizō) – to separate, divide, depart. Related conceptually to exclusion but focuses on separation rather than prevention of access. See G5563

Did You Know?

  • Did you know that in ancient Athens, the verb ἐκκλείω was used in legal contexts to describe the exclusion of certain evidence from court proceedings? This judicial background illuminates Paul’s usage in Romans 3:27, where he presents his argument about justification in courtroom language. Just as certain testimony might be ruled inadmissible in an Athenian court, so human boasting is deemed inadmissible in God’s courtroom.
  • Did you know that during the first century, Roman citizens could use the phrase “civis Romanus sum” (“I am a Roman citizen”) to prevent being excluded (ἐκκλείω) from certain legal protections? This cultural practice provides an interesting contrast to Paul’s argument in Romans—whereas Roman citizenship could prevent exclusion from privileges, human status and achievements cannot prevent the exclusion of boasting in God’s economy of grace.
  • Did you know that the compound structure of ἐκκλείω (ἐκ + κλείω) creates an intensified meaning beyond simply “closing”? The preposition ἐκ adds the sense of “out from,” suggesting not merely closing something off but ensuring it remains outside. This linguistic nuance reinforces Paul’s absolute rejection of human boasting in salvation—it’s not merely limited or restricted but completely shut out from consideration.

Remember This

Ἐκκλείω reminds us that in God’s perfect plan of salvation, the door to human boasting has been permanently sealed shut, leaving open only the entrance of faith through which all must pass with empty hands but hopeful hearts.

📚 Note

  • This lexicon entry is finalized for peer review once you see two checkmarks.
  • Readers engaged in critical research should verify citations & keyword occurrences in their preferred Bible. Logos Bible software is recommended.
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