Lexical Summary ekpheró: To bring out, to carry out, to produce Original Word: ἐκφέρω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bear, bring forth, carry out. From ek and phero; to bear out (literally or figuratively) -- bear, bring forth, carry forth (out). see GREEK ek see GREEK phero NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and pheró Definition to carry out, bring forth NASB Translation bring (1), brought (1), carried (2), carry (1), carrying (1), take (1), yields (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1627: ἐκφέρωἐκφέρω; future ἐξοίσω; 1 aorist ἐξήνεγκα; 2 aorist ἐξηνεγκον; 1. to carry out, to bear forth: τινα, Acts 5:15; the dead for burial, Acts 5:6, 9f (often so in Greek writings from Homer, Iliad 24, 786 down; see ἐκκομίζω); τί, Luke 15:22; 1 Timothy 6:7. 2. to (bring i. e.) lead out: τινα, Mark 8:23 T Tr text WH. 3. to bring forth i. e. produce: of the earth bearing plants, Hebrews 6:8 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 45, 6 a.); (Herodotus 1,193; Xenophon, oec. 16, 5; Aelian v. h. 3, 18 and often; the Sept., Genesis 1:12; Haggai 1:11; Song of Solomon 2:13). The verb ἐκφέρω (Strong’s Greek 1627) pictures a decisive movement from an inner place to an outer one. In Scripture that motion serves varied theological ends—removal for judgment, presentation for honor, relocation for healing, and the inevitable exit from this life. Each occurrence carries the idea of crossing a threshold that reveals the true condition of what is carried. Divine judgment and church purity (Acts 5:6-10, 15) The sudden deaths of Ananias and Sapphira mark the first disciplinary act inside the newborn church. Three times Luke records that the young men “carried out” the bodies (Acts 5:6, 5:9, 5:10), and once that the populace “brought out” the sick hoping for Peter’s shadow (Acts 5:15). Judgment and healing are thus juxtaposed: God drives out corruption so that life-giving power may flow out to the city. Compassionate healing beyond familiar boundaries (Mark 8:23) “Taking the blind man by the hand, He led him out of the village” (Mark 8:23). Jesus chooses to heal away from the crowds, emphasizing personal attention over public spectacle. The outward movement protects the man from premature exposure and highlights that divine compassion is not tied to place or ritual. Ministry today likewise sometimes requires leaving comfortable settings to address specific needs privately and effectively. Lavish grace made visible (Luke 15:22) “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him” (Luke 15:22). Here the verb frames the father’s urgency to display honor. What was previously stored becomes a public testimony of forgiveness. The prodigal’s shame is literally covered as grace moves from private resolve to visible restoration. The church is called to the same immediacy in celebrating repentant sinners. Fruitfulness versus barrenness (Hebrews 6:8) “But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and near to being cursed” (Hebrews 6:8). The soil “brings forth” what is native to its nature. The passage warns professing believers: continuing rebellion will finally be exposed and carried off to judgment. True salvation must bring out useful vegetation—works that accompany faith. Temporal possessions and eternal perspective (1 Timothy 6:7) “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7). The verb in future-looking form reminds readers that earthly goods cannot be removed with us at death. Contentment and generosity are therefore the only reasonable attitudes toward material wealth. Historical resonance Early Christian readers would have recognized the verb’s everyday use in funerals, household management, and temple ritual. Luke’s multiple uses in Acts intentionally evoke that familiarity, turning common activity into theological illustration: the gospel either carries sin out for burial or carries life out for blessing. Ministry implications • Church discipline, though uncomfortable, safeguards corporate witness and enables fresh outflow of healing power. Eschatological horizon Ultimately all humanity will be “carried out” of this age—some to resurrection life, others to judgment. The present use of ἐκφέρω in Scripture foreshadows that final exit, urging readiness now through repentance, righteous living, and faithful service. Englishman's Concordance Mark 8:23 V-AIA-3SGRK: τοῦ τυφλοῦ ἐξήνεγκεν αὐτὸν ἔξω NAS: by the hand, He brought him out of the village; INT: of the blind [man] he led forth him out Luke 15:22 V-AMA-2P Acts 5:6 V-APA-NMP Acts 5:9 V-FIA-3P Acts 5:10 V-APA-NMP Acts 5:15 V-PNA 1 Timothy 6:7 V-ANA Hebrews 6:8 V-PPA-NFS Strong's Greek 1627 |
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