Does “Put Away” JUST mean to “Send Away?”

The Greek word "apoluo" is mostly translated “put away” in the KJV of the Divorce And Remarriage passages. In the NKJV and other standard versions, it is typically translated “divorce.” The following definitions for "apoluo" help show our modern day English word "divorce" is an accurate translation of this Greek word in the Bible context of marriage. Please look up as many of the given definitions as you can to make sure I am not overstating my case.

· Arndt and Gingrich – divorce, send away, one’s wife, or betrothed

· Colin Brown’s Dictionary of N.T. Theology – let go, send away, dismiss one’s wife or betrothed, divorce

· Thayer – used of divorce, to dismiss from the house, to repudiate

· Vines – to let loose from, let go free, is translated "is divorced" …; it is further used of divorce in …

· Wigram-Green – to set free, dismiss, relieve, (used) of divorce, let go

· The KJV translates apoluo as "divorced" in Matt 5:32

The following definition helps us to understand what our modern day English word "divorce" means: The Random House College Dictionary defines "divorce" as 1. Law, a judicial declaration dissolving a marriage in whole or in part. Cf. judicial separation. 2. any formal separation of man and wife according to established custom, as among uncivilized tribes.

The conclusion of this article is indicated by the emphasized portion of the above definition. When Jesus talks about “divorce” in Matt 5:32 and the parallels, He means “divorce,” not a sending away only.

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