ἀπό has the root meaning of “off” or “away from.” It expresses separation or motion away from a point, whether in a physical, temporal, or metaphorical sense, and is therefore used only with the ablative case. It occurs approximately 650 times when standing alone and over 1,000 times in composition.
In composition, ἀπό may express off or back. In Matthew 18:27, it is used in combination with λύω to express release, letting go, or dismissal. In John 18:26, when joined with κόπτω, it conveys the cutting off of the ear of the servant of the high priest. With δίδωμι, ἀπό carries the idea of giving something back or rendering what is due. Thus, in Romans 12:17, the grace believer is instructed not to pay back (ἀποδίδωμι) wrong for wrong.
When translated as “by,” such as in James 1:13, ἀπό retains its primary meaning of source, implying from, not instrumental. No one can say they are tempted by (from) God, for God does not solicit anyone to act in a wrong manner. In this case, “by” is not used to express instrumentality but rather the source of the temptation. In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he describes the comfort he received as a result of their actions concerning Titus—how he was refreshed by (from) them. In each of these examples, the emphasis is on source (2 Corinthians 7:13).
In Hebrews 5:7, ἀπό conveys the sense of “on account of.” Jesus’ supplication was heard on account of His godliness.
ἀπό signifies from the edge of, whereas ἐκ conveys the idea of from within. παρά, when used with the ablative case, emphasizes source and is employed only with persons, as in John 9:16: “This one is not from (along side) God.”