Greek word · G874

ἀφορμή

aphormē

opportunity

Starting point; a base of operations (in military writers such as Polybius); resources to start from; occasion, opportunity, pretext.

Appears 7 times in 6 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated November 01, 2026

What it means

ἀφ-ορμή, -ῆς, ἡ

[in LXX: Ezekiel 5:7 (הָמוֹן), Proverbs 9:9, 3Ma.3:2 * ;]

prop., a starting point; in war, a base of operations; metaphorically, an occasion, incentive, opportunity (MM, see word): 2 Corinthians 11:12, Galatians 5:13; ἀφ. λαμβάνειν, Luke 11:24, WH, mg., Romans 7:8, 11; ἀφ. διδόναι, 2 Corinthians 5:12, 1 Timothy 5:14.*

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

Range of meaning: Starting point; a base of operations (in military writers such as Polybius); resources to start from; occasion, opportunity, pretext.
Against the English: "Occasion" (KJV, BSB, ESV) is accurate but faded. NIV/NASB "opportunity" is close. Neither keeps the picture of a bridgehead, a foothold an attacker can launch from.
Used elsewhere in the period: Paul uses it in Rom 7:8, 11 (sin "seizing an opportunity" through the commandment), 2 Cor 5:12, 2 Cor 11:12 ("to cut off the opportunity from those who want an opportunity") and Gal 5:13 (freedom not as "an opportunity for the flesh"). LXX Prov 9:9: "give an opportunity to the wise."

Range of meaning: Literally a 'starting point' (from apo + hormē, a rush or onset). In military and commercial writing it meant a base of operations or the starting capital for a venture. From there it came to mean an occasion, opportunity, pretext, or the resources that make an action possible (BDAG).
Against the English: 'Occasion' (KJV) and 'opportunity' (BSB, ESV, WEB) are accurate but tame. They can sound like a chance that just happens. The Greek suggests a foothold or staging ground that a hostile force seizes and then works from. NIV's 'to indulge the flesh' turns the image into a verb about appetite and loses the picture of a base.
Used elsewhere in the period: Used in classical historians for a base from which to launch operations. Paul uses it the same way in Romans 7:8, 11, where sin 'seizing an opportunity (aphormē) through the commandment' produced every kind of desire. Sin there is pictured as an invader using the law as its beachhead. See also 2 Cor 5:12; 11:12; 1 Tim 5:14.

Range of meaning: The literal meaning is a 'starting-point', the place from which a movement begins. From there it came to mean: (1) in war, a base of operations or a staging point for an attack; (2) the resources or means for starting something, such as the capital to start a business; (3) an occasion, pretext or opening that someone uses for their own ends.
Against the English: KJV and YLT have 'occasion'. WEB, BSB and NASB have 'opportunity'. These are not wrong, but 'opportunity' sounds neutral or even positive in modern English. Aphormē in Paul is nearly always an opening that someone exploits. The NIV's 'cut the ground from under' gets closer to the picture of a base or foothold.
Used elsewhere in the period: Greek historians such as Polybius use it for a military base or starting point for operations. Paul uses it six times. Sin 'seizing an opportunity' through the commandment (Romans 7:8, 11). An 'occasion' to boast about Paul (2 Corinthians 5:12). Freedom not to be made 'an opportunity for the flesh' (Galatians 5:13). Giving the adversary no 'occasion' for slander (1 Timothy 5:14). In each case it is an opening used for attack or advantage.

Romans · 2

Romans 7:8 ἀφορμὴν An occasion

But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead.

Here: Placed first for emphasis. The word pictures a foothold or staging ground from which an attack is launched. Sin did not create the commandment. It found the commandment and used it as a beachhead.
Romans 7:11 ἀφορμὴν an occasion

For sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through the commandment put me to death.

Here: The opening or foothold from which an action is launched. Sin did not create its own starting point; it found one in something that belonged to God.

2 Corinthians · 3

2 Corinthians 5:12 ἀφορμὴν occasion

We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.

Here: Originally a base of operations or the starting capital for a venture. Paul is handing the Corinthians material they can use to make their own case.
2 Corinthians 11:12 ἀφορμὴν ἀφορμήν, opportunity, an opportunity

But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.

Here: In military use, a base from which an attack is launched. More broadly it meant a pretext or opening. The rivals want something to stand on in their campaign against Paul, and he means to take it away.

Galatians · 1

Galatians 5:13 ἀφορμὴν an opportunity

For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.

Here: A starting point or base of operations, and so an opening or pretext. Freedom must not become the foothold from which the flesh launches its campaign.

1 Timothy · 1

1 Timothy 5:14 ἀφορμὴν occasion

So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

Here: Originally a base of operations from which an attack is launched. Here it is a foothold or pretext that critics could seize.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.