ἐκκλίνω

Pronunciation Guide: ek-KLEE-no (the ‘e’ as in ‘met’, ‘klee’ as in ‘clean’, and ‘no’ as in ‘know’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1578: ἐκκλίνω (ekklinō) fundamentally means “to turn aside” or “to deviate from a path.” In the biblical context, it typically conveys the deliberate action of turning away from something, particularly evil or unrighteous behavior. The word carries a strong sense of purposeful avoidance and conscious rejection of something deemed harmful or contrary to God’s will.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Components: Composed of the preposition ἐκ (ek, “out of,” “away from”) + κλίνω (klinō, “to bend,” “to incline”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in ethical instructions, wisdom literature, and exhortations to holy living
• Semantic Domain: Movement, ethical behavior, avoidance

ἐκκλίνω Morphology:

• ἐκκλίνω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I turn aside/avoid
• ἐκκλίνεις (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you turn aside/avoid
• ἐκκλίνει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it turns aside/avoids
• ἐκκλίνομεν (present active indicative, 1st person plural) – we turn aside/avoid
• ἐξέκλινα (aorist active indicative, 1st person singular) – I turned aside/avoided
• ἐξέκλιναν (aorist active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they turned aside/avoided
• ἐκκλῖναι (aorist active infinitive) – to turn aside/avoid

Origin & History

The verb ἐκκλίνω has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it originally described physical movement—specifically the action of turning out of one’s path or deviating from a straight course. Xenophon used it in his “Anabasis” to describe soldiers turning aside from a direct route to avoid danger. In Plato’s works, the term began to take on more metaphorical meanings, describing deviation from philosophical truths or ethical standards.

In the Septuagint (LXX), ἐκκλίνω appears frequently, particularly in the Psalms and wisdom literature, where it gained strong moral connotations. The translators of the LXX chose this term to render the Hebrew סוּר (sur, “to turn aside”) in contexts describing the avoidance of evil and pursuit of righteousness. This transition established ἐκκλίνω as an important ethical term in biblical Greek, carrying the weight of intentional moral choice rather than merely physical movement.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Deliberate Avoidance – To purposefully turn away from something harmful or dangerous
• Moral Deviation – To depart from what is right or good (in negative contexts)
• Strategic Withdrawal – To prudently remove oneself from a compromising situation
• Conscious Rejection – To decisively refuse participation in something wrong

ἐκκλίνω Translation Options:

• “Turn away from” – Emphasizes the deliberate movement away from something undesirable, highlighting the preposition ἐκ (away from)
• “Avoid” – Captures the preventative aspect of the term, suggesting wisdom in staying clear of negative influences
• “Shun” – Conveys the intensity of rejection, particularly appropriate when translating passages with strong moral imperatives
• “Deviate from” – Useful when the context involves departure from a standard or norm, emphasizing the κλίνω (bend) component of the word

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἐκκλίνω appears only three times, but each usage carries significant theological weight. The apostle Paul employs it in Romans 3:12 when quoting Psalm 14, describing humanity’s universal tendency to “turn aside” from God’s ways. Later in Romans 16:17, he instructs believers to “avoid” those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to sound doctrine—showcasing the term’s application to spiritual discernment.

In the Septuagint, ἐκκλίνω appears far more frequently, especially in Psalms and Proverbs, consistently carrying the moral connotation of turning away from evil and pursuing righteousness. This pattern establishes a theological framework for understanding the New Testament usage, revealing that the concept of “turning aside” is deeply embedded in biblical wisdom concerning holy living and ethical choices.

• “All have turned aside [ἐξέκλιναν], together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:12
• “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away [ἐκκλίνετε] from them.” Romans 16:17
• “Turn from [ἔκκλινον] evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:11
• “They all have turned aside [ἐξέκλιναν]; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” Psalm 14:3 (LXX)
• “Let him turn away [ἐκκλινάτω] from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:14 (LXX)

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of “turning aside” carried significant weight within the framework of covenant faithfulness. The Hebrew mind understood life as walking on a path (הַדֶּרֶךְ, ha-derekh) set by יהוה (Yahweh). To “turn aside” (סוּר, sur) from this path represented not merely making a mistake but breaking covenant loyalty. This explains why the Septuagint translators chose ἐκκλίνω to express this concept—it carried the proper weight of deliberate choice with moral consequences.

The imagery of “the way” or “the path” permeated Jewish thinking, appearing in pivotal texts like Deuteronomy 5:32-33, where the people are commanded not to turn aside to the right or left but to walk in all the ways that יהוה (Yahweh) commanded. When early believers referred to their faith as “The Way” (Acts 9:2), they were drawing on this rich tradition of covenant faithfulness, with the understanding that following the Messiah meant not “turning aside” from His teachings. Thus, ἐκκλίνω functions within a conceptual framework where one’s direction of movement holds profound spiritual significance.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of ἐκκλίνω reveal the stark reality of human sinfulness contrasted with God’s call to righteousness. In Romans 3:12, Paul’s use of the term (quoting Psalm 14) describes the universal human condition—all have “turned aside” from God’s way. This diagnosis forms a crucial part of Paul’s argument for humanity’s need for justification by faith rather than works. The very use of ἐκκλίνω suggests not merely passive failure but active deviation from God’s intended path.

Yet this same word also appears in the context of spiritual remedy. When believers are instructed to “turn away” from evil (1 Peter 3:11), we see that redemption involves a deliberate reorientation of one’s life direction. This creates a beautiful theological tension: the same intentional turning that led humanity away from God (in sin) must now be applied in reverse—turning away from evil and toward righteousness. This dynamic reflects the comprehensive nature of sanctification, where believers actively participate in their spiritual transformation by conscious choices to avoid evil and pursue good, all while empowered by God’s grace.

Personal Application

The concept of ἐκκλίνω challenges believers to examine the deliberate “turnings” in their daily lives. What do you turn toward, and what do you turn away from? Each day presents countless small decisions that either align with God’s path or deviate from it. The biblical use of this term reminds us that spiritual growth often involves intentional avoidance—recognizing harmful influences, relationships, or thought patterns and deliberately turning away from them.

Consider adopting a practice of “holy avoidance” in your spiritual disciplines. Rather than focusing exclusively on what you should do, reflect also on what you should turn away from. This might mean avoiding media that stirs unhealthy desires, declining social invitations that lead to compromising situations, or choosing to turn away from gossip and divisive conversations. Remember that in the biblical understanding, turning away from evil is not merely negative or restrictive—it creates space for turning toward the good, fulfilling life that יהוה (Yahweh) intends for His people.

Related Words

• ἀποστρέφω (apostrephō, “to turn away from”) – While similar to ἐκκλίνω, this term often carries stronger connotations of rejection or aversion, frequently used for turning away from God or turning back from a commitment. It emphasizes the complete reversal of direction rather than merely deviating from a path. See G654
• ἐκτρέπω (ektrepō, “to turn aside, to deflect”) – This term specifically refers to being diverted from a course or turning out of the way, often used in medical contexts for dislocation. In the New Testament, it appears in ethical contexts warning against turning aside to falsehood or vain discussions. See G1624
• παρεκτρέπω (parektrepō, “to turn aside from”) – A rare intensified form suggesting deviation from a standard or turning aside in a negative sense. It emphasizes the idea of wandering away from established boundaries. See G3930
• ἀποφεύγω (apopheugō, “to flee away from”) – While ἐκκλίνω focuses on turning aside, ἀποφεύγω emphasizes escaping or fleeing from something dangerous or corrupting. It suggests a more urgent, complete separation from negative influences. See G668
• φεύγω (pheugō, “to flee, escape”) – The simple form of “flee,” this term lacks the specific directional component of ἐκκλίνω but is often used in similar ethical contexts calling for separation from sin or temptation. See G5343

Did you Know?

• Did you know? The concept behind ἐκκλίνω appears in ancient Jewish road signs! Archaeological discoveries have revealed stone markers at certain crossroads in ancient Israel with inscriptions warning travelers not to “turn aside” from the main road to Jerusalem, especially during pilgrimage festivals. These physical reminders reinforced the spiritual concept of staying on the right path to worship.
• Did you know? In modern Greek, derivatives of ἐκκλίνω are still used in traffic terminology. The word εκτροπή (ektropī) refers to a detour or diversion from a main road—a linguistic connection that spans thousands of years and preserves the original meaning of “turning aside from a path.”
• Did you know? The theological concept of ἐκκλίνω influenced early monastic traditions, particularly in the development of ascetic practices. Desert fathers like Anthony the Great interpreted “turning aside from evil” as requiring physical separation from worldly society (anachoresis), establishing communities in remote locations to avoid the temptations and corruptions they saw in urban centers. This understanding dramatically shaped Christian monasticism for centuries.

Remember This

When we understand ἐκκλίνω, we recognize that spiritual growth is not merely about what we embrace but also about what we deliberately avoid—our “holy turnings” reveal the true direction of our hearts.