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G346 · Greek · New Testament
ἀνακεφαλαιόω
Anakephalaioomai
Verb
To Sum Up, Recapitulate, Unite Under One Head

Definition

The Greek verb anakephalaioomai means to sum up, bring to a head, or gather all things under one head. Occurring twice in the NT (Romans 13:9; Ephesians 1:10), it comes from kephalē (head) and describes the act of gathering many things under a single governing head or summary.

Usage & Theological Significance

The most theologically weighty use of anakephalaioomai is Ephesians 1:10, where Paul describes God's eternal plan: to bring all things in heaven and earth under one head — Christ. This is the biblical metanarrative in a single word: the fractured, fallen cosmos is being 're-headed' in Christ. Everything scattered by the fall — relationships, creation, nations, time itself — is being gathered, unified, and restored under Christ's headship. Romans 13:9 uses it more simply: all the commandments are summed up in 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Key Bible Verses

Ephesians 1:10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Romans 13:9 The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not covet,' and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Matthew 22:40 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.

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