Apologeomai denotes giving an answer in one’s own defense, especially amid accusations or before authorities.

The attested use concerns answering in defense of oneself: people speak before crowds, rulers, or accusers, prepare for such a response, or are described as defending rather than accusing. The same defensive relation is extended in Romans 2:15 to thoughts that accuse or defend.

1. Giving an answer in one’s defense · dominant

   In Acts 24:10, the first-person present middle form occurs as Paul begins to speak concerning himself before the governor; the APB renders the clause, “I cheerfully make my defense concerning myself.” In Acts 25:8, the present middle participle occurs while Paul denies having sinned against the law, the temple, or Caesar. The term also frames anticipated responses before authorities in Luke 12:11 and the contrast of accusing and defending thoughts in Romans 2:15.

   Acts 24:10Acts 25:8Acts 26:2Luke 12:11Luke 21:14Romans 2:15

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the occurrences, the APB uses expressions such as “defending himself,” “make my defense,” “began his defense,” and “defending.” These are verse-level renderings rather than definitions.