Original Word: ἀπολογέομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: apologeomai
Pronunciation: ap-ol-og-eh'-om-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ol-og-eh'-om-ahee)
Definition: To defend oneself, to make a defense, to give an account
Meaning: I give a defense, defend myself (especially in a law court): it can take an object of what is said in defense.

answer for oneself, make defense.

Middle voice from a compound of apo and logos; to give an account (legal plea) of oneself, i.e. Exculpate (self) -- answer (for self), make defence, excuse (self), speak for self.

see GREEK apo

see GREEK logos

Cognate: 626 apologéomai – properly, to reason from solid proof (sound logic); to make a compelling defense with sound logic (argumentation). See 627 (apologia).

Word Origin
from apo and logos
Definition
to give an account of oneself, hence to defend oneself
NASB Translation
defend (1), defending (2), make a defense (1), make...defense (3), said in...defense (1), saying in...defense (1), speak in...defense (1).

STRONGS NT 626: ἀπολογέομαι

ἀπολογέομαι, ἀπολογοῦμαι; imperfect ἀπελογουμην (Acts 26:1); 1 aorist ἀπελογησαμην; 1 aorist passive infinitive ἀπολογηθῆναι, in a reflexive sense (Luke 21:14); a deponent middle verb (from λόγος), properly, "to speak so as to absolve (ἀπό) oneself, talk oneself off" of a charge etc.;

1. to defend oneself, make one's defense: absolutely, Luke 21:14; Acts 26:1; followed by ὅτι, Acts 25:8; τί, to bring forward something in defense of oneself, Luke 12:11; Acts 26:24 (often so in Greek writings also); τά περί ἐμαυτοῦ ἀπολογοῦμαι either I bring forward what contributes to my defense (?), or I plead my own cause (R. V. make my defense), Acts 24:10; περί with the genitive of the thing and ἐπί with the genitive of person, concerning a thing before one's tribunal, Acts 26:2; with the dative of the person whom by my defense I strive to convince that I am innocent or upright, to defend or justify myself in one's eyes (A. V. unto), Acts 19:33; 2 Corinthians 12:19 (Plato, Prot., p. 859 a.; often in Lucian, Plutarch; (cf. Buttmann, 172 (149))).

2. to defend a person or a thing (so not infrequent in secular authors): Romans 2:15 (where according to the context the deeds of men must be understood as defended); τά περί ἐμοῦ, Acts 26:2 (but see under 1).

Word Origin: Derived from ἀπό (apo, "from") and λόγος (logos, "word, speech, reason").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀπολογέομαι, the concept of making a defense or giving an account can be related to Hebrew terms such as יָכַח (yakach, Strong's 3198), which means to argue, decide, justify, or convict, and דָּבַר (dabar, Strong's 1696), which means to speak or declare. These terms capture the essence of verbal defense and explanation found in the Greek ἀπολογέομαι.

Usage: The term ἀπολογέομαι is used in the New Testament to describe the act of defending oneself verbally, often in a legal or formal setting. It implies providing a reasoned argument or explanation in response to an accusation or inquiry.

Context: The Greek verb ἀπολογέομαι appears in several New Testament passages, primarily in contexts where individuals are called to defend their actions or beliefs. This term is closely associated with the concept of apologetics, which involves reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine.

In the New Testament, ἀπολογέομαι is used in various scenarios, including legal defenses and personal explanations. For instance, in Acts 22:1, Paul uses the term when addressing the crowd in Jerusalem: "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you." Here, Paul is making a formal defense of his actions and beliefs before an audience that is hostile to his message.

Another significant usage is found in 1 Peter 3:15, where believers are encouraged to be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in them: "But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have, but respond with gentleness and respect." This passage highlights the importance of being able to articulate one's faith and the reasons behind it, emphasizing a respectful and gentle approach.

The concept of ἀπολογέομαι underscores the importance of being able to clearly and effectively communicate one's beliefs, especially in the face of opposition or misunderstanding. It reflects a commitment to truth and reason, grounded in a deep understanding of one's faith.

απελογειτο απελογείτο ἀπελογεῖτο απολογεισθαι απολογείσθαι ἀπολογεῖσθαι απολογηθηναι απολογηθήναι ἀπολογηθῆναι απολογήματά απολογησησθε απολογήσησθε ἀπολογήσησθε απολογήσομαι απολογουμαι απολογούμαι ἀπολογοῦμαι απολογουμεθα απολογούμεθα ἀπολογούμεθα απολογουμενου απολογουμένου ἀπολογουμένου απολογουμενων απολογουμένων ἀπολογουμένων apelogeito apelogeîto apologeisthai apologeîsthai apologesesthe apologēsēsthe apologḗsesthe apologḗsēsthe apologethenai apologethênai apologēthēnai apologēthē̂nai apologoumai apologoûmai apologoumenon apologoumenōn apologouménon apologouménōn apologoumenou apologouménou apologoumetha apologoúmethaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts