The Greek verb ekklinō means to turn aside, deviate, or veer away from a straight path. The prefix ek- (out from) combined with klinō (to incline, turn) gives the sense of a decisive turning away or deflection from a previous direction.
Ekklinō appears in two theologically complementary ways in the New Testament. Romans 3:12 (quoting Psalm 14) uses it of humanity's universal moral deviation: 'All have turned away, they have together become worthless.' This is the diagnosis of the human condition — wholesale deviation from God's way. Romans 16:17 then commands believers to 'watch out for those who cause divisions... and turn away (ekklinō) from them.' The same word marks both disease and cure: humans naturally turn away from God; believers must deliberately turn away from those who lead astray. Spiritual health requires purposeful avoidance of corrupting influences.