Lexical Summary
aphormé: Occasion, Opportunity, Pretext
Original Word: ἀφορμή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: aphormé
Pronunciation: af-or-MAY
Phonetic Spelling: (af-or-may')
KJV: occasion
NASB: opportunity, occasion
Word Origin: [from a compound of G575 (ἀπό - since) and G3729 (ὁρμάω - rushed)]
1. a starting-point
2. (figuratively) an opportunity
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
occasion.
From a compound of apo and hormao; a starting-point, i.e. (figuratively) an opportunity -- occasion.
see GREEK apo
see GREEK hormao
HELPS Word-studies
874 aphormḗ (from 575 /apó, "away from" and 3730 /hormḗ, "a violent rush") – properly, a pretext ("launching point") to assert an idea – literally, "what charges from (off) a starting point"; (figuratively) the occasion something has to come forward because having the "successful launching pad" to get something started ("affording an opportunity"). 874 (aphormḗ) is usually used negatively in the NT, but positively in 2 Cor 5:12.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
apo and
hormaóDefinitiona starting point, i.e. fig. an occasion
NASB Translationoccasion (2), opportunity (5).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 874: ἀφορμήἀφορμή,
ἀφορμῆς,
ἡ (
ἀπό and
ὁρμή which see);
1. properly, a place from which a movement or attack is made, a base of operations: Thucydides 1, 90 (τήν Πελοποννησον πᾶσιν ἀναχωρησιν τέ καί ἀφορμήν ἱκανήν εἶναι); Polybius 1, 41, 6.
2. metaphorically, "that by which endeavor is excited and from which it goes forth; that which gives occasion and supplies matter for an undertaking, the incentive; the resources we avail ourselves of in attempting or performing anything": Xenophon, mem. 3, 12, 4 (τοῖς ἑαυτῶν παισί καλλιους ἀφορμας εἰς τόν βίον καταλειπουσι), and often in Greek writings; λαμβάνειν, to take occasion, find an incentive, Romans 7:8, 11 διδόναι, 2 Corinthians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:14 (3Macc. 3:2; both phrases often also in Greek writings); 2 Corinthians 11:12; Galatians 5:13. On the meanings of this word see Viger. edition Herm., p. 81f; Phryn. ed. Lob., p. 223f; (Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 304).
Topical Lexicon
Foundational ConceptStrong’s Greek 874 paints the picture of a “base of operations”—a starting-point from which some further action proceeds. In the New Testament this “launching pad” is morally neutral; its value depends on who makes use of it. The term therefore becomes a razor-sharp diagnostic tool, exposing whether an influence springs from God, the flesh, or the devil.
Classical and Military Background
In the Greek world the word was used for a forward camp or a staging harbor from which an army or fleet was supplied. Paul, writing in the Roman era, borrows the same imagery for spiritual conflict. As armies advanced from a secure foothold, so sin, the adversary, or faithful believers advance their purposes from an initial “occasion.”
Occurrences in the New Testament
1. Romans 7:8, 11
2. 2 Corinthians 5:12
3. 2 Corinthians 11:12 (twice)
4. Galatians 5:13
5. 1 Timothy 5:14
All seven uses arise in Paul’s writings. Five are negative (Romans, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, 1 Timothy); two are positive (2 Corinthians 5:12; the first half of 11:12).
Sin’s Launching Pad: Romans 7
Romans 7 twice depicts the commandment itself as the staging area exploited by indwelling sin.
• Romans 7:8: “But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.”
• Romans 7:11: “For sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it put me to death.”
The irony is striking: the holy law, designed for life, becomes a beachhead for rebellion when the unregenerate heart meets the divine standard. The passage underscores human inability and the necessity of the Spirit’s indwelling power (Romans 8:2-4).
Apostolic Integrity in 2 Corinthians
Paul twice uses the term in 2 Corinthians 11:12 as he defends authentic ministry: “I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to cut off the opportunity from those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things they boast about”. Here Paul blocks any footprint that false apostles could gain among the churches. His self-sacrifice—refusing financial support from Corinth—removes their supply line.
Earlier, in 2 Corinthians 5:12, Paul grants believers an “occasion” to answer critics: “We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an occasion to be proud of us…” (paraphrase). When handled righteously, a proper “base” allows churches to magnify Christ-honoring leadership.
Guarding Christian Liberty: Galatians 5
Galatians 5:13: “You, brothers, were called to freedom, but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another in love.” Liberty does not eliminate the danger zone; instead it relocates the staging area. True freedom is freedom to love, not to indulge.
Domestic Testimony: 1 Timothy 5
Paul instructs younger widows to marry and manage their households “so as to give the adversary no occasion for reproach” (1 Timothy 5:14). Satan looks for any foothold—particularly in the sphere of family—to malign the gospel. Wise household order deprives him of that platform.
Doctrinal Implications
1. Moral Neutrality of Structures: Law, liberty, finances, and family are inherently good yet may serve as springboards for evil.
2. Necessity of Vigilance: Believers must identify and either sanctify or remove potential footholds.
3. Missional Strategy: Gospel workers, like Paul, sometimes relinquish legitimate rights to deny the enemy a supply line.
4. Sanctification and the Spirit: Only the Spirit can transform law from a condemning occasion into a sanctifying one (cf. Romans 8:2-4).
Pastoral and Practical Applications
• Examine motives whenever liberty is claimed; ask, “Will this choice furnish the flesh with a base of operations?”
• In leadership, pre-empt criticism by transparent, sacrificial conduct.
• Fortify homes with order and godliness so that no slanderous occasion arises.
• When teaching the law of God, always connect it to grace, lest hearers be left to sin’s exploitation.
Related Themes
Law vs. Grace – Romans 6–8
Spiritual Warfare – Ephesians 6:10-18
Christian Freedom – 1 Corinthians 8–10; Galatians 5
Reproach and Blamelessness – Titus 2:6-8; 1 Peter 2:11-12
Summary
Strong’s Greek 874 exposes the pivot points of the spiritual battle. Whether the platform is the Mosaic commandment, Christian liberty, finances, or household management, someone will make use of it. The call of the gospel is to deny sin and the adversary any foothold, while turning every legitimate “occasion” into a launching pad for truth, love, and Christ-exalting ministry.
Forms and Transliterations
αφορμή αφορμην αφορμήν ἀφορμήν ἀφορμὴν aphormen aphormēn aphormḗn aphormḕn
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