The Extrovert

We know the two terms, introvert and extrovert, and we know they are opposites. An introvert is a shy person; an extrovert is an outgoing person. This isn't secret or controversial. What is more interesting, however, is the origin of the words and the ramifications.

Both words come from a compound, related concept. "Intro" is a prefix from the Latin that means "within" or "internal." "Extro" is a prefix that comes from the Latin "extrā" meaning "outside" or "without" (as opposed to "within"). Okay, good, we can all see that these two prefixes are opposites. So what about the root word? The suffix, "vert," as it turns out, is the same one used in other familiar words. You can "revert," "convert," "invert," "subvert," "avert," or "divert." "Pervert" comes from the same term as does "advertise." ("Advertise" comes from "advert" which means "to pay attention" -- ad + vert.) Lots of "verting" going on. So what does that suffix mean? It means "to turn." (Now, if you want to play, go back into that list I just gave you and see if you can see where the "turn" term takes those words based on their prefixes.)

Okay, I know, boring, at least to anyone who isn't a wordsmith. Let's make it significant now. If you look at the original two words, "introvert" and "extrovert", you'll find that their actual meanings now shift. An introvert is shy because he or she is "turned-inward" and an extrovert is gregarious because he or she is "turned-outward." Now, I suppose, that's not necessarily true in fact, but those are the ideas behind the words.

If we step back one more step, then, let me ask you two questions. In terms of human beings, are we naturally introverts -- turned inwards -- or extroverts -- turned outward? The answer, biblically, is that we are introverts. We have our eyes on ourselves. It's the nature of our sin nature. You can see this in much of society today. Millennials are castigated for being the "Me" generation, but that's just because they're doing openly what all of us have done secretly most of the time. "What's good for me?" is the natural concern of the human being. Introverts. If that's true, here's the second question. What should Christians be? If Jesus is to be believed, our primary aim is two-fold. First, love God with all of our being. Second, love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt 22:37-39). These are by definition "turned outward." Paul puts it this way. "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Php 2:3-4). Turned outward, not inward.

We don't all have to be social butterflies, gregarious, that kind of thing. However, the defining characteristic of those who follow Christ is to "love one another" (John 13:35). That is turning outward, not inward. The functional position of any genuine believer ought to be as an extrovert, turned outward toward God and others.