aphorizo is used of marking people off from others, whether by exclusion, appointed service, or final division.

The verb most often marks a distancing or exclusion from a group, as disciples are separated from opponents, a person withdraws from others, and people exclude followers of the Son of Man. It also describes people being designated for a stated work or message, and the future division of one group from another.

1. Exclude or withdraw from a group · dominant

   In Acts 19:9 the aorist active form occurs when he withdrew from opponents and the APB renders that he "separated the disciples." In Galatians 2:12 the imperfect active form describes an ongoing drawing back from Gentiles, while Luke 6:22 places the aorist subjunctive among hostile actions when people "exclude you"; 2 Corinthians 6:17 gives a passive imperative in the call to come out and "be separate."

   Acts 19:9Galatians 2:12Luke 6:222 Corinthians 6:17
2. Set someone apart for a stated calling · common

   In Acts 13:2 the aorist active imperative directs that Barnabas and Saul be marked off "for the work" named in the clause. Galatians 1:15 and Romans 1:1 likewise place participial forms with a person designated from the womb and with Paul designated "for the gospel of God."

   Acts 13:2Galatians 1:15Romans 1:1
3. Divide groups from one another · occasional

   Matthew 13:49 uses a future active form for angels dividing "the evil from the midst of the just." Matthew 25:32 uses two future active forms in the comparison of a shepherd distinguishing sheep from goats.

   Matthew 13:49Matthew 25:32

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the clauses with "be separate," "Set apart," "separated," "exclude," and "separate." These are renderings of the surrounding clauses rather than fixed English equivalents in every occurrence.