μετασχηματίζω
metaschēmatízō
G3345 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cause something or someone to change outward form or appearance, often without altering basic nature or substance; to alter or assume a different shape, fashion, or external aspect. Can refer to both literal change in form and to figurative or rhetorical adaptation.
Semantic Range
to change outward appearance, to alter form, to disguise, to adopt a different manner or posture, to metaphorically reframe or recast, to apply rhetorically or by example, to transfer by analogy
Root / Etymology
From μετά (meta, 'after, beyond, change') and σχῆμα (schēma, 'form, shape, appearance'). The verb σχηματίζω, 'to shape, fashion', underlies the formation, with μετα- intensifying or modifying the meaning to focus on transition or change.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, μετασχηματίζω is used for changing or altering the appearance or outward form of something, with no necessary implication that the underlying substance has changed. In philosophical contexts (e.g., later Platonism), can refer to shifting external realities or disguising inherent nature. In the Septuagint, the term is rare. In the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15), μετασχηματίζω emphasizes adoption or assumption of a different outward appearance, sometimes with a rhetorical or didactic purpose (adopting a form to illustrate a point, or 'disguising' oneself, as false apostles are said to do). English translations such as 'transform,' 'disguise,' or 'change' may obscure the nuance that the focus is on alteration of form, not essence. Distinct from μεταμορφόω, which often emphasizes transformation of inner nature as well as outward form, μετασχηματίζω is concerned primarily with external or apparent change.
Translation Consistency
"Change" is the most natural, wide-ranging English verb that covers altering outward form, appearance, or manner in both literal and figurative senses. It fits the typical usage in the SILEX range (reshape, refashion, alter, adapt) while remaining simple and consistent across all inflected forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from μετά and a derivative of σχῆμα; to transfigure or disguise; figuratively, to apply (by accommodation):--transfer, transform (self).
Root Family
σχῆμα (euschēmónōs) — to have form, to be well-shaped, to appear in fitting manner
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3345-01 |
μετασχηματίσει | metaschematisei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will transform | will refashion | will refashion | 1 |
G3345-02 |
μετασχηματίζεται | metaschematizetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
transforms | is altering his outward form | is altering his outward form | 1 |
G3345-03 |
μετασχηματιζόμενοι | metaschematizomenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
transforming themselves | ones reshaping themselves | reshaping themselves | 1 |
G3345-04 |
μετασχηματίζονται | metaschematizontai | V PRS MID IND 3P PL |
transform themselves | they are reshaping themselves | they are reshaping themselves | 1 |
G3345-05 |
μετεσχημάτισα | meteschematisa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I have applied | I reshaped in form | I have adapted | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3345-05 |
1 Corinthians 4:6 | μετεσχημάτισα | meteschematisa | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I have applied | I reshaped in form | I have adapted |
G3345-03 |
2 Corinthians 11:13 | μετασχηματιζόμενοι | metaschematizomenoi | V PRS MID PTCP NOM M PL |
transforming themselves | ones reshaping themselves | reshaping themselves |
G3345-02 |
2 Corinthians 11:14 | μετασχηματίζεται | metaschematizetai | V PRS MID IND 3P SG |
transforms | is altering his outward form | is altering his outward form |
G3345-04 |
2 Corinthians 11:15 | μετασχηματίζονται | metaschematizontai | V PRS MID IND 3P PL |
transform themselves | they are reshaping themselves | they are reshaping themselves |
G3345-01 |
Philippians 3:21 | μετασχηματίσει | metaschematisei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will transform | will refashion | will refashion |