Original Word: ἀποκάλυψις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: apokalupsis
Pronunciation: ah-po-KAH-loo-psis
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ok-al'-oop-sis)
KJV: appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation
NASB: revelation, revelations, revealed, revealing
Word Origin: [from G601 (ἀποκαλύπτω - revealed)]

1. disclosure

appearing, coming, manifestation, revelation.

From apokalupto; disclosure -- appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.

see GREEK apokalupto

Cognate: 602 apokálypsis – properly, uncovering (unveiling). See 601 (apokalyptō).

602 /apokálypsis ("revelation, unveiling") is principally used of the revelation of Jesus Christ (the Word), especially a particular (spiritual) manifestation of Christ (His will) previously unknown to the extent (because "veiled, covered").

Word Origin
from apokaluptó
Definition
an uncovering
NASB Translation
revealed (1), revealing (1), revelation (14), revelations (2).

STRONGS NT 602: ἀποκάλυψις

ἀποκάλυψις, ἀποκαλύψεως, ἡ (ἀποκαλύπτω, which see), an uncovering;

1. properly, a laying bare, making naked (1 Samuel 20:30).

2. tropically, in N. T. and ecclesiastical language (see end), a. a disclosure of truth, instruction, concerning divine things before unknown — especially those relating to the Christian salvation — given to the soul by God himself, or by the ascended Christ, especially through the operation of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10), and so to be distinguished from other methods of instruction; hence, κατά ἀποκάλυψιν γνωρίζεσθαι, Ephesians 3:3. πνεῦμα ἀποκαλύψεως, a spirit received from God disclosing what and how great are the benefits of salvation, Ephesians 1:17, cf. Ephesians 1:18. with the genitive of the object, τοῦ μυστηρίου, Romans 16:25. with the genitive of the subjunctive, κυρίου, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, 2 Corinthians 12:1 (revelations by ecstasies and visions, (so 2 Corinthians 12:7)); Galatians 1:12; Revelation 1:1 (revelation of future things relating to the consummation of the divine kingdom); κατ' ἀποκάλυψιν, Galatians 2:2; λαλήσω ... ἐν ἀποκαλύψει, to speak on the ground of (others, in the form of) a revelation, agreeably to a revelation received, 1 Corinthians 14:6; equivalent to ἀποκεκαλυμμενον, in the phrase ἀποκάλυψιν ἔχειν, 1 Corinthians 14:26.

b. equivalent to τό ἀποκαλύπτεσθαι as used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all, manifestation, appearance, cf. ἀποκαλύπτω, 2, d. and e.: φῶς εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν ἐθνῶν, a light to appear to the Gentiles (others render 'a light for a revelation (of divine truth) to the Gentiles,' and so refer the use to a. above), Luke 2:32; ἀποκαλύψεως δικαιοκρισίας Θεοῦ, Romans 2:5; τῶν υἱῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ, the event in which it will appear who and what the sons of God are, by the glory received from God at the last day, Romans 8:19; τῆς δόξης τοῦ Χριστοῦ, of the glory clothed with which he will return from heaven, 1 Peter 4:13; of this return itself the phrase is used, ἀποκαλύψει τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ: 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7, 13. (Among Greek writings, Plutarch uses the word once, Cat. maj. c. 20, of the denudation of the body (also in Paul. Aemil. 14 α. ὑδάτων; in Quomodo adul. ab amic. 32 α. ἁμαρτίας; cf. Sir. 11:27 Sir. 22:22 etc. See Trench, § xciv. and references under the word ἀποκαλύπτω, at the end).)

Overview

The Greek noun apokalypsis describes a divine act of unveiling—God making known what was previously hidden. Its eighteen New Testament occurrences trace a single, consistent theme: revelation belongs to the initiative of God, centers on Jesus Christ, is mediated by the Holy Spirit, and summons believers to hope, holiness, and proclamation.

The Unveiling of Salvation through Christ

Luke 2:32 frames the infant Jesus as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” From the outset of the Gospel era, apokalypsis designates the self-disclosure of God’s saving purpose in the Messiah. Revelation 1:1 then closes the canon with “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass,” confirming that the fullness of redemption is interpreted and communicated by Christ Himself.

The Gospel Mystery Made Manifest

Paul repeatedly links apokalypsis with the disclosure of the gospel’s long-hidden mystery. Romans 16:25 speaks of “the revelation of the mystery hidden for ages past,” while Ephesians 3:3 recounts that “the mystery was made known to me by revelation.” These texts underline that the gospel is neither human conjecture nor gradual philosophical progress; it is God’s decisive unveiling, now public and proclaimed.

Apostolic Experience of Revelation

Apokalypsis is used of specific prophetic experiences granted to the apostles. Paul testifies, “I did not receive it from any man… but by revelation from Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). His ecstatic visions in 2 Corinthians 12:1,7 are likewise termed “revelations of the Lord.” Such passages safeguard the unique, foundational authority of apostolic witness while illustrating the Spirit’s power to communicate God’s counsel directly.

Revelation, Illumination, and the Church

Ephesians 1:17 records Paul’s prayer that believers receive “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in your knowledge of Him,” showing that divine unveiling continues in the church as illumination, not as new doctrine but as deeper grasp of given truth. 1 Corinthians 14 applies the term to congregational ministry: a member may share “a revelation” (verse 26), yet every contribution is judged by Scripture and ordered for edification. Thus apokalypsis nurtures corporate growth when exercised under apostolic parameters.

Eschatological Hope and Final Disclosure

Several occurrences direct believers’ eyes to Christ’s return. Romans 8:19 says creation “waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:7 urges perseverance “as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Peter adds a pastoral note: suffering now will “result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7); therefore, “set your hope fully on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). The future unveiling guarantees present endurance and joy.

Revelation and Divine Justice

2 Thessalonians 1:7 portrays relief for the persecuted “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.” The term underscores that final judgment and vindication are inseparable from the manifestation of Christ’s glory. Revelation brings both comfort and solemn warning.

Pastoral and Devotional Implications

1. Certainty: Because the Christian faith rests on revelation, confidence in Scripture’s authority is rational and warranted.
2. Humility: Truth is received, not invented; believers submit to what God discloses.
3. Expectation: The climactic revelation is future; present life is lived in hope.
4. Mission: As the light has been revealed to the nations, the church must herald it (Luke 2:32).
5. Discernment: Claims of fresh revelation must accord with the apostolic deposit (Galatians 1:8).

Historical Context

The noun appears in Greek literature for the unmasking of hidden objects, but the Septuagint’s prophetic background (e.g., unveiling of dreams) prepares its New Testament sense. In Second Temple Judaism, apocalyptic writings anticipated an eschatological unveiling; the New Testament affirms that this expectation finds its focal point in Christ.

Survey of Occurrences

Luke 2:32 – universal light

Romans 2:5 – revelation of righteous judgment

Romans 8:19 – future manifestation of God’s children

Romans 16:25 – gospel mystery disclosed

1 Corinthians 1:7 – anticipation of Christ’s appearing

1 Corinthians 14:6,26 – revelatory gifts for edification

2 Corinthians 12:1,7 – Paul’s visions

Galatians 1:12; 2:2 – apostolic reception and guidance

Ephesians 1:17; 3:3 – illumination and mystery

2 Thessalonians 1:7 – judgment and relief

1 Peter 1:7,13; 4:13 – suffering and glory

Revelation 1:1 – prophetic book title

Conclusion

Apokalypsis unites the past revelation of God in Christ, the present illumination of believers, and the future unveiling of glory. Each occurrence calls the church to unwavering trust in God’s disclosed Word and to eager anticipation of the day when “we will see Him as He is” (echoing 1 John 3:2), the ultimate and transforming revelation.

αποκαλύψει αποκαλυψεις αποκαλύψεις ἀποκαλύψεις αποκαλυψεων αποκαλύψεων ἀποκαλύψεων αποκαλυψεως αποκαλύψεως ἀποκαλύψεως αποκαλυψιν αποκάλυψιν ἀποκάλυψιν ΑΠΟΚΑΛΥΨΙΣ αποκάλυψις ἀποκάλυψις apokalupseis apokalupseon apokalupseōn apokalupseos apokalupseōs apokalupsin APOKALUPsIS apokalypseis apokalýpseis apokalypseon apokalypseōn apokalýpseon apokalýpseōn apokalypseos apokalypseōs apokalýpseos apokalýpseōs apokalypsin apokálypsin APOKALYPSISInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts