The Greek verb apolouo (G628) means to wash off or to cleanse thoroughly. It is a compound of apo (away from, indicating completeness) and louo (to bathe/wash). The intensifying apo prefix indicates the washing off and removal of what is cleansed. The word appears twice in the New Testament: Acts 22:16 and 1 Corinthians 6:11.
Both uses of apolouo occur in pivotal passages about the cleansing power of the gospel. In Acts 22:16, Ananias urges Paul: 'Get up, be baptized and wash away (apolousai) your sins, calling on his name.' In 1 Corinthians 6:11, Paul reminds the Corinthians of their transformation: 'You were washed (apelousasthe), you were sanctified, you were justified.' The triple declaration — washed, sanctified, justified — represents the comprehensive scope of salvation. Apolouo is not merely ceremonial cleansing but the thorough removal of sin's defilement by the blood of Christ and the work of the Spirit, fulfilling Ezekiel's promise of the new covenant: 'I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean' (Ezekiel 36:25).