588. apodechomai
Lexical Summary
apodechomai: To accept, to receive favorably, to welcome

Original Word: ἀποδέχομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: apodechomai
Pronunciation: ä-po-de'-kho-mī
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-od-ekh'-om-ahee)
KJV: accept, receive (gladly)
NASB: received, welcoming, acknowledge, welcome, welcomed
Word Origin: [from G575 (ἀπό - since) and G1209 (δέχομαι - receive)]

1. to receive fully
2. (of persons) to welcome
3. (things) to approve

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
accept, receive gladly.

From apo and dechomai; to take fully, i.e. Welcome (persons), approve (things) -- accept, receive (gladly).

see GREEK apo

see GREEK dechomai

HELPS Word-studies

588 apodéxomai (from 575 /apó, "from" and 1209 /déxomai, "to receive heartily, welcome") – properly "receive from," i.e. as the prior circumstance (or individual) inspires glad reception ("gladly welcome").

[588 (apodéxomai) focuses back on whom (what) is welcomingly received. Note the force of the prefix (apo).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from apo and dechomai
Definition
to accept gladly, welcome
NASB Translation
acknowledge (1), received (2), welcome (1), welcomed (1), welcoming (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 588: ἀποδέχομαι

ἀποδέχομαι; deponent middle; imperfect ἀπεδεχομην; 1 aorist ἀπεδεξαμην; 1 aorist passive ἀπεδεχθην; common in Greek writings, especially the Attic, from Homer down; in the N. T. used only by Luke; to accept what is offered from without (ἀπό, cf. Latinexcipio), to accept from, receive: τινα, simply, to give one access to oneself, Luke 9:11 L T Tr WH; Acts 28:30; with emphasis (cf. Tobit 7:17 and Fritzsche at the passage), to receive with joy, Luke 8:40; to receive to hospitality, Acts 21:17 L T Tr WH; to grant one access to oneself in the capacity in which he wishes to be regarded, e. g. as the messenger of others, Acts 15:4 (L T Tr WH παρεδέχθησαν); as a Christian, Acts 18:27; metaphorically, τί, to receive into the mind with assent: to approve, Acts 24:3; to believe, τόν λόγον, Acts 2:41; (so in Greek writings especially Plato; cf. Ast, Lex. Plato, i., p. 232).

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Nuanced Usage

Though ἀποδέχομαι (Strong’s 588) fundamentally signifies “to receive with approval,” the verb goes beyond passive acceptance. Each New Testament context displays an eager, appreciative welcome that confirms both the worth of what is received and the goodwill of the receiver. The idea includes active embrace, endorsement, and the consequent commitment flowing from that embrace.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Luke 8:40 – The multitudes “welcomed” Jesus as He returned to Galilee, showing a corporate, almost celebratory reception of His person and ministry.
2. Luke 9:11 – Crowds again “welcomed” Him, underscoring a sustained appetite for the words and works of Christ.
3. Acts 2:41 – Those who “accepted” Peter’s message were immediately baptized, linking reception of gospel truth with obedient response.
4. Acts 18:27 – The believers in Achaia are urged to “welcome” Apollos, illustrating inter-church cooperation and endorsement of ministers.
5. Acts 21:17 – The brothers in Jerusalem “welcomed” Paul and his team, reflecting unity between Gentile and Jewish believers.
6. Acts 24:3 – Felix is told that the Jews “acknowledge with gratitude” his reforms, demonstrating the verb’s diplomatic tone in civic discourse.
7. Acts 28:30 – Paul “welcomed” all who came to him during house arrest, making his rented quarters a center of gospel outreach.

The Hospitality of Faith

Biblical hospitality is more than social courtesy; it is an outward expression of covenant community. Each occurrence of ἀποδέχομαι embodies a theologically charged hospitality: Jesus is welcomed, the gospel is welcomed, and gospel messengers are welcomed. Conversely, Paul’s own welcoming of visitors in Rome models Christlike openness even under duress.

Apostolic Reception and Fellowship

In Acts 18:27 and Acts 21:17 the verb illuminates apostolic cooperation. Acceptance of Apollos safeguards doctrinal continuity, while the Jerusalem church’s acceptance of Paul preserves the unity of the Spirit amid cultural tensions. ἀποδέχομαι therefore undergirds authentic fellowship by affirming shared faith and mission.

Evangelistic and Missional Implications

Acts 2:41 shows that genuine reception of the word leads to immediate, tangible fruit—“those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand souls were added” (Berean Standard Bible). Evangelism thus aims not at mere mental assent but at a warm, decisive embrace that results in discipleship and church growth.

Pastoral and Discipleship Insights

Paul’s stance in Acts 28:30 exemplifies pastoral openness. Even confined, he “welcomed all who came to him,” teaching “the kingdom of God and the things concerning Jesus Christ.” Ministry effectiveness is therefore measured not by circumstances but by one’s readiness to receive seekers, skeptics, and saints alike.

Theological Reflections

1. Christology: The crowds’ reception of Jesus foreshadows the fuller acceptance required of every believer—embracing Him as Lord.
2. Pneumatology: In Acts 2, reception of the apostolic word coincides with reception of the Holy Spirit, uniting word and Spirit in salvation history.
3. Ecclesiology: Churches that gladly receive faithful teachers (Apollos, Paul) protect the flock from isolation and error.
4. Eschatology: The welcoming posture anticipates the final reception into the heavenly kingdom (compare 2 Peter 1:11), making present hospitality an eschatological rehearsal.

Historical Context

First-century travel and communication depended on patronage and hospitality networks. ἀποδέχομαι captures the formal recognition extended within these networks—letters of commendation (Acts 18:27), civic gratitude (Acts 24:3), and apostolic endorsements. Understanding these social conventions enriches appreciation for Luke’s narrative strategy in portraying the unstoppable spread of the gospel.

Applications for Contemporary Ministry

• Cultivate congregational cultures that joyfully receive biblical teaching and godly teachers.
• Train believers to view hospitality as gospel proclamation in deed.
• Encourage missionaries through intentional acceptance and tangible support, echoing Achaia’s reception of Apollos.
• Model open-door shepherding even in restrictive settings, following Paul’s Roman example.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 588, ἀποδέχομαι, paints a portrait of Spirit-born receptivity that welcomes Christ, His message, and His messengers, while extending that same grace to all who seek the truth. Wherever the verb appears, the kingdom advances through hearts and homes flung wide open to the Lord and to one another.

Forms and Transliterations
απεδεξαντο ἀπεδέξαντο απεδεξατο απεδέξατο ἀπεδέξατο απεδεχετο απεδέχετο ἀπεδέχετο απεδέχθησαν αποδεδεμένους αποδεξαμενοι αποδεξάμενοι ἀποδεξάμενοι αποδεξαμενος ἀποδεξάμενος αποδεξασθαι αποδέξασθαι ἀποδέξασθαι αποδεχομεθα αποδεχόμεθα ἀποδεχόμεθα αποδήσει apedecheto apedécheto apedexanto apedéxanto apedexato apedéxato apodechometha apodechómetha apodexamenoi apodexámenoi apodexamenos apodexámenos apodexasthai apodéxasthai
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Englishman's Concordance
Luke 8:40 V-AIM-3S
GRK: τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἀπεδέξατο αὐτὸν ὁ
NAS: the people welcomed Him, for they had all
KJV: the people [gladly] received him:
INT: Jesus glady received him the

Luke 9:11 V-APM-NMS
GRK: αὐτῷ καὶ ἀποδεξάμενος αὐτοὺς ἐλάλει
NAS: of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He [began] speaking
INT: him and having received them he spoke

Acts 2:41 V-APM-NMP
GRK: μὲν οὖν ἀποδεξάμενοι τὸν λόγον
NAS: those who had received his word
KJV: they that gladly received his
INT: indeed Therefore having received the word

Acts 18:27 V-ANM
GRK: τοῖς μαθηταῖς ἀποδέξασθαι αὐτόν ὃς
NAS: to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived,
KJV: the disciples to receive him:
INT: to the disciples to welcome him who

Acts 21:17 V-AIM-3P
GRK: Ἰεροσόλυμα ἀσμένως ἀπεδέξαντο ἡμᾶς οἱ
NAS: the brethren received us gladly.
INT: Jerusalem gladly received us the

Acts 24:3 V-PIM/P-1P
GRK: καὶ πανταχοῦ ἀποδεχόμεθα κράτιστε Φῆλιξ
NAS: we acknowledge [this] in every way
KJV: We accept [it] always, and
INT: and everywhere we gladly accept [it] most excellent Felix

Acts 28:30 V-IIM/P-3S
GRK: μισθώματι καὶ ἀπεδέχετο πάντας τοὺς
NAS: rented quarters and was welcoming all
KJV: and received all
INT: rented house and welcomed all who

Strong's Greek 588
7 Occurrences


ἀπεδέχετο — 1 Occ.
ἀπεδέξαντο — 1 Occ.
ἀπεδέξατο — 1 Occ.
ἀποδεχόμεθα — 1 Occ.
ἀποδεξάμενοι — 1 Occ.
ἀποδεξάμενος — 1 Occ.
ἀποδέξασθαι — 1 Occ.

587
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