John 9:22

Kicked Out

Strongs NT #656 ἀποσυνάγωγος (aposunagógos). This is another NT coined term. Broken down we have:

1. "ἀπό" (apo) - indicating "away from" or "from."
2. "συνάγωγος" (synagōgos) - meaning "gathered" or "assembled."

The literal meaning therefore would be "away from gathering", or "ex-communicated" 

In various instances in the New Testament, where unconventional concepts of "The Whole" or "The Beyond" are discussed, scholars have observed the creation or adaptation of words to articulate these ideas within the linguistic framework of Koine Greek. This phenomenon is evident in the formation of neologisms or specialized vocabulary to express theological or philosophical concepts unique to early NT thought. These innovative word formations served to convey nuanced meanings and distinguish their teachings from prevailing cultural or religious norms of the time. Examples include terms like this one, "ἀποσυνάγωγος" (aposynagōgos) in John 9:22, which has been interpreted to mean someone "expelled from the synagogue." But such a concept does not need a new word.

Ancient Greek had readily available language to convey such an idea:

1. "ἐκβολή ἀπὸ τῆς συναγωγῆς" (ekbolē apò tēs synagōgēs) - meaning "cast out from the synagogue."
2. "ἐκτροπή ἀπὸ τῆς συναγωγῆς" (ektropē apò tēs synagōgēs) - meaning "banishment from the synagogue."
3. "ἐκκλεισμός ἀπὸ τῆς συναγωγῆς" (ekkleismós apò tēs synagōgēs) - meaning "exclusion from the synagogue."

The straightfoward meaning is that aposunagógos was not a word anyone in the ancient synagogues because, well, the word didn't exist.

So John opts to create a new word: aposunagógos "out-gathered" to speak of something for which there is no Greek word. John is a prophet after all. Excommunication was not a thing. Yet.