Paraiteomai denotes declining or rejecting something, and in some settings asking to be excused or making a request.

The predominant usage concerns turning away from, declining, or refusing a person, matter, or outcome: instructions reject myths, younger widows, controversies, and a schismatic person, while other clauses warn against refusing a speaker or state a refusal to die. A second observed use occurs in requests for exemption or action, including guests asking to be excused, hearers asking that no further word be spoken, and a crowd requesting a prisoner.

1. Declining or rejecting a person, matter, or outcome · dominant

   Present middle singular forms introduce instructions to turn away from profane myths, younger widows, foolish controversies, and a schismatic person; in 1 Timothy 4:7 the APB renders the clause “Reject the profane and old-wives'-tale myths,” and in 2 Timothy 2:23 it renders “refuse foolish and uninstructed controversies.” In Acts 25:11, the first-person present middle form occurs in the statement that the speaker does not refuse death, while Hebrews 12:25 warns against refusing the one speaking.

   1 Timothy 4:71 Timothy 5:112 Timothy 2:23Titus 3:10Acts 25:11Hebrews 12:25
2. Asking to be excused or making a request · common

   In Luke 14:18 and Luke 14:19, forms occur in guests' stated reasons for not attending; the APB renders their requests, “I ask you to excuse me.” Hebrews 12:19 places the aorist middle form with hearers asking that no further word be spoken, while Mark 15:6 uses an imperfect middle plural form where the crowd requested a prisoner.

   Luke 14:18Luke 14:19Hebrews 12:19Mark 15:6

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the clauses with “Reject,” “Refuse,” “do not refuse,” “excuse me,” “begged,” and “requested.” These renderings show the verse-level contexts rather than fixed English equivalents for every form.