Lexical Summary ethelothréskia: Self-imposed religion, will-worship Original Word: ἐθελοθρησκεία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance voluntary worship. From ethelo and threskeia; voluntary (arbitrary and unwarranted) piety, i.e. Sanctimony -- will worship. see GREEK ethelo see GREEK threskeia HELPS Word-studies 1479 ethelothrēskeía (from 2309 /thélō, "desire" and 2356 /thrēskeía, "religion") – properly, self-willed religion, defined by the desires of the human will – which amounts to nothing! This form of "worship," which is accomplished "by self" (Souter), is merely a "will-worship," exalting the worshiper at God's expense (used only in Col 2:23). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an older form of theló and thréskeia Definition self-willed (arbitrary and unwarranted) piety NASB Translation self-made religion (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1479: ἐθελοθρησκείαἐθελοθρησκεία (T WH ἐθελοθρησκία, see Iota), ἐθελοθρησκειας, ἡ (from ἐθέλω and θρησκεία, which see (cf. Winers Grammar, 100 (95))), voluntary, arbitrary worship, (Vulg.superstitio) (A. V. will-worship), i. e. worship which one devises and prescribes for himself, contrary to the contents and nature of the faith which ought to be directed to Christ; said of the misdirected zeal and practices of ascetics: Colossians 2:23; Suidas ἐθελοθρησκει. ἰδίῳ θελήματι σεβει τό δοκοῦν. Cf. ἐθελόδουλος, ἐθελοδουλεία, ἐθελοπρόξενος, one who acts the part of aproxenus without having been appointed to the office, etc. The explanation of others: simulated, counterfeit religion (cf. in Greek lexicons, ἐθελοφιλοσοφος, ἐθελοκωφος, etc.), does not square so well with the context. (The word is found besides in Mansi, Collect. Concil. vol. iv., p. 1380, and in Theodoret, vol. iv., epistle clxi., p. (1460 b., Migne edition) 1831, Halle edition; (Eusebius, h. e. 6, 12, 1; Jerome, epistle 121, vol. 1,1031, Migne edition). Epiphanius haer. 1, 16 (i., p. 318, 3rd edition, Dindorf) attributes ἐθελοπερισσοθρησκεια to the Pharisees.) Topical Lexicon Word Background and ConceptFormed from the verb “to will, to desire” joined to the noun for “religion” or “worship,” the term portrays a kind of devotion generated by human initiative rather than divine command. Its focus is not on open idolatry but on ostensibly pious practices crafted by personal preference or cultural pressure. Biblical Usage and Context Colossians 2:23 is its sole New Testament occurrence. Paul critiques regulations that “indeed have an appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they lack any value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Berean Standard Bible). In the wider flow of Colossians 2, the apostle has just exposed the emptiness of “philosophy,” “human tradition,” and “elemental spirits” (verses 8, 20). Against such self-made systems, he proclaims the believer’s fullness in Christ (verses 9–10) and complete liberation through the cross (verse 14). The word therefore serves as Paul’s summary label for the entire package of legalistic, ascetic, syncretistic practices threatening the church at Colossae. Theological Significance 1. Authority of Scripture. By denouncing worship born of human will, Paul upholds God’s revelation as the sole standard for faith and practice (compare Deuteronomy 4:2; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). Historical Parallels in Scripture • Old Testament: Nadab and Abihu’s “unauthorized fire” (Leviticus 10:1–2) and Jeroboam’s alternative cult centers (1 Kings 12:26–33) illustrate the peril of will-worship. Applications for Corporate Worship • Measure practices by Scripture: beauty, creativity, and cultural forms have their place, yet they must always serve, never supersede, the revealed pattern of Christ-centered worship. Personal Spiritual Formation Self-imposed religion often disguises pride as humility. Modern equivalents include ascetic diets, extreme fasting for display, or legalistic checklists that comfort the conscience while sidestepping heart repentance. Believers are called instead to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), practicing disciplines that flow from love for God rather than fear of condemnation. Warnings for Church Leadership • Teach discernment: help congregations recognize the difference between biblical commands and cultural preferences. Promise of Freedom in Christ The gospel releases believers from the tyranny of self-devised piety. “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations?” (Colossians 2:20). True worship is Spirit-enabled, Christ-exalting, and Father-honoring—an outflow of grace, not a product of will-worship. Forms and Transliterations εθελοθρησκεία εθελοθρησκια ἐθελοθρησκίᾳ εθισμόν ethelothreskia ethelothrēskia ethelothreskíāi ethelothrēskíāiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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