μετασχηματίζω

From the study of 2 Corinthians 11:14

Range of meaning

To change the schēma of something: its outward form, shape, bearing or appearance. With a reflexive or middle sense it means 'to change one's appearance, assume the guise of, disguise oneself as.' Used figuratively, it means 'to apply something to a different case' (1 Cor 4:6). It can also describe a real change of form, as in Phil 3:21, where Christ 'will transform our lowly body.' The verb itself does not mean 'deceive.' The context decides whether the change is a costume or a real transformation.

Against the English

KJV and YLT say 'transform,' which keeps the link to the verb but can suggest a real change of nature. BSB, WEB and NIV say 'masquerades,' and ESV, NASB and NLT say 'disguises himself.' These capture the context: a change of appearance put on deliberately, with nothing changed underneath.

How it drifted

In modern English 'is transformed' usually means a real inner change, and the KJV's passive form ('is transformed') hides the fact that Satan does this to himself on purpose. The modern renderings correct both problems.

Used elsewhere in the period

The noun schēma is used in Greek generally for outward form or fashion, as in 1 Cor 7:31: 'the schēma of this world is passing away.' Older commentators (e.g. Lightfoot on Philippians) contrasted schēma, the changeable outer guise, with morphē, the form that expresses what a thing really is. That distinction is broadly sound but should not be pushed too hard. The verb appears in later Greek writers for changing shape or appearance. In the New Testament it occurs only in Paul: 1 Cor 4:6; 2 Cor 11:13, 14, 15; Phil 3:21.

From the study of 1 Corinthians 4:6

Range of meaning

To change the outward form (schēma) of something: transform, refashion, disguise, or transpose into another shape. In the NT it is used of Satan and false apostles 'disguising themselves' (2 Cor 11:13–15) and of Christ 'transforming' the lowly body (Phil 3:21). Here it is used in an unusual, literary sense: 'to put something into a figure', that is, to present a point under the guise of particular persons.

Against the English

KJV and WEB: 'in a figure transferred'. NASB: 'figuratively applied'. BSB and ESV: 'applied'. YLT: 'transfer'. 'Applied' is smooth, but it loses the idea that Paul deliberately used himself and Apollos as stand-ins or illustrations. A modern reader may hear 'applied' as 'drew a practical application', which is not the point.

How it drifted

Not a drift in English vocabulary as such. Translators have flattened an unusual rhetorical sense into a generic verb.

Used elsewhere in the period

Elsewhere in Jewish Greek it is used for change of form: 4 Maccabees 9:22, where the martyr is 'transformed' into incorruption, and Testament of Reuben 5:6, where the Watchers 'changed their form' into men. The related noun schēma was a technical term in Greek rhetoric for 'figured speech' (eschēmatismenos logos), meaning saying something indirectly. Demetrius, On Style 287–298, and Quintilian, Institutes 9.2.65–99, discuss it as a way of rebuking powerful people or a touchy audience without naming them.

From the study of Philippians 3:21

Range of meaning

To change the schēma: the outward shape, figure, bearing or condition of something. It can mean a real change of state (transform) or only a change of appearance (disguise, masquerade), depending on context. Either way the thing itself continues and its form or condition changes.

Against the English

KJV "change" is accurate but vague. "Transform" (BSB, WEB, YLT, ESV, NIV) is better. Neither English word shows the link to schēma in Phil 2:7, where Christ was "found in appearance (schēmati) as a man".

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT: 2 Cor 11:13–15 (false apostles "disguise themselves"; Satan "disguises himself as an angel of light"), the appearance sense; 1 Cor 4:6, used figuratively ("I have applied these things to myself"). In Jewish Greek, 4 Maccabees 9:22 describes a martyr burned alive "as though transformed (metaschēmatizomenos) by fire into incorruption". This is a close parallel: martyrdom leading to a changed, imperishable existence.