ἀποτομία

From the study of Romans 11:22

Range of meaning

Literally 'a cutting off, an abrupt cut' (from apotemnō, 'to cut off sharply'). By extension: sheerness, as of a cliff; severity, rigor, strictness that does not bend. Used of strict judges and strict laws.

Against the English

'Severity' (most versions), 'sternness' (NIV), 'severe' (NLT). These are accurate for the extended sense. What English loses is the cutting image underneath, which fits the branches being lopped off and the closing verb 'cut out'.

How it drifted

Mild. 'Severity' can suggest cruelty or harshness out of all proportion. The Greek points to rigor that is decisive and does not compromise, not to anything vindictive.

Used elsewhere in the period

The noun occurs only here in the New Testament. The adverb apotomōs, 'sharply', appears in 2 Cor 13:10 and Titus 1:13. The Wisdom of Solomon, a Jewish book Paul seems to echo elsewhere in Romans, uses the adjective of God's judgment: 'he will sharpen apotomos wrath for a sword' (5:20); 'apotomos judgment falls on those in high places' (6:5); God tested Egypt 'like an apotomos king condemning' (11:10). Wisdom 11–12 also sets God's rigor against his patient kindness, much as Paul does here. Greek writers such as Diodorus and Plutarch use it of strict enforcement of law.