ris3n's Apologetics Codex

Lexicon

G0859 - aphesis

Strong's: G0859 · BLB lookup Pronunciation: af'-es-is Part of speech: feminine noun Root: from aphiēmi (G863), "to send away, let go, forgive" NT occurrences: 17

Semantic range

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  1. Release, dismissal, sending away, basic etymology
  2. Forgiveness of sins, the dominant NT theological sense
  3. Liberation from bondage / debt / penalty
  4. Remission (older English translations)

The verb aphiēmi (G863) covers all forms of "letting go", releasing prisoners, canceling debts, forgiving sins, allowing departure. The noun aphesis concentrates the theological meaning: forgiveness.

Theological force

Aphesis hamartiōn, forgiveness of sins

The central NT use is in the phrase aphesis hamartiōn (forgiveness of sins). It is the gospel's promise:

  • Matthew 26:28, Christ's blood "poured out for many for aphesin hamartiōn"
  • Mark 1:4 / Luke 3:3, John's "baptism of repentance for aphesin hamartiōn"
  • Luke 1:77, Zechariah's prophecy: "the knowledge of salvation by the aphesei of their sins"
  • Luke 24:47, "metanoian eis aphesin hamartiōn" preached to all nations
  • Acts 2:38, "repent and be baptized… for the aphesin of your sins"
  • Acts 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18, apostolic preaching of aphesis
  • Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, "we have redemption through His blood, the aphesin of our trespasses"
  • Hebrews 9:22; 10:18, "without the shedding of blood there is no aphesis"

The pattern: aphesis hamartiōn is the gospel's central blessing, the cancellation of guilt, the cleansing of conscience, the restoration of relationship with God.

Year of jubilee / liberation from captivity

Two distinctive uses connect aphesis to OT-jubilee imagery:

  • Luke 4:18-19, Christ at Nazareth citing Isaiah 61:1-2: "to proclaim release (aphesin) to the captives… to set free those who are oppressed (aphesei), to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord"

This connects aphesis to the OT yôvēl / Jubilee (Leviticus 25), when debts were forgiven, slaves released, land returned. Christ's ministry inaugurates the eschatological Jubilee, release from sin, debt of guilt, bondage to evil.

Aphesis and atonement

Aphesis is intimately connected with Christ's atoning blood:

  • Hebrews 9:22, "chōris haimatekchysias ou ginetai aphesis", "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness"
  • Ephesians 1:7, "in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of trespasses"
  • Matthew 26:28, "this is My blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for aphesin hamartiōn"

The OT sacrificial system anticipates and the NT-cross-event accomplishes the aphesis. The full atonement-vocabulary cluster:

  • Lytron / antilytron, ransom
  • Hilasmos / hilastērion, propitiation
  • Apolytrōsis, redemption
  • Aphesis, forgiveness / release
  • Katallagē, reconciliation

Each captures a different angle of the cross-event's accomplishment.

Aphesis and church practice

Forgiveness as mission

  • Luke 24:47, "metanoian eis aphesin hamartiōn" preached to all nations en tō onomati of Christ
  • John 20:23, "if you forgive (aphēte) the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven"

The church's mission is to proclaim aphesis; the church's life involves practicing forgiveness inter-personally.

Forgiveness as the believer's experience

  • Luke 11:4 / Mt 6:12, Lord's Prayer: "forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive"
  • Mt 18:21-35, the unforgiving servant; receive forgiveness, extend forgiveness
  • Eph 4:32, "be kind… charizomenoi heautois, just as God in Christ also has echarisato you"

The pattern: those who have received aphesis are called to extend forgiveness to others.

Notable verses

Patristic / scholarly note

Patristic engagement: forgiveness of sins is foundational to baptismal theology (Tertullian De Baptismo; Augustine on the sacraments). The Apostles' Creed: "I believe in the forgiveness of sins."

Reformation: justification by faith includes the aphesis, God forgives sins on the basis of Christ's atoning work, received by faith.

Modern conservative: D. A. Carson; Wayne Grudem; Tim Keller (Forgive, 2022), pastoral-theological treatment.

See also

Notes

Lexical workspace for aphesis.