Lexical Summary apochrésis: Use, consumption Original Word: ἀπόχρησις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance using. From a compound of apo and chraomai; the act of using up, i.e. Consumption -- using. see GREEK apo see GREEK chraomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a comp. of apo and chrésis Definition abuse, misuse NASB Translation use (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 671: ἀπόχρησιςἀπόχρησις, ἀποχρησεως, ἡ (ἀποχράομαι to use to the full, to abuse), abuse, misuse: Colossians 2:22 ἅ ἐστιν πάντα εἰς φθοράν τῇ ἀποχρήσει all which (i. e. things forbidden) tend to destruction (bring destruction) by abuse; Paul says this from the standpoint of the false teachers, who in any use of those things whatever saw an abuse, i. e. a blameworthy use. In opposition to those who treat the clause as parenthetical and understand ἀπόχρησις to mean consumption by use (a being used up, as in Plutarch, moral., p. 267f. (quaest. Rom. 18)), so that the words do not give the sentiment of the false teachers but Paul's judgment of it, very similar to that set forth in Matthew 15:17; 1 Corinthians 6:13, cf. DeWette at the passage (But see Meyer, Ellicott, Lightfoot.) Topical Lexicon Form and Single New Testament Occurrence The noun appears once in the Greek New Testament, at Colossians 2:22. Paul uses it to describe earthly regulations that “perish with use”, highlighting their temporary, consumable nature. Immediate Context in Colossians Colossians 2:20-23 confronts a set of ascetic rules—“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”—promoted by false teachers who mingled human tradition with spiritual intimidation. Paul argues that such decrees belong to “the elemental spiritual forces of the world,” not to Christ. Their supposed spirituality evaporates the moment they are practiced, for they “perish with use.” The word drives home the irony: external rites that promise higher holiness disappear in the very act of observing them, unable to impart lasting life or power. Thematic Significance 1. Ephemeral versus Eternal: The term spotlights the contrast between transient rituals and the enduring sufficiency of Christ (Colossians 2:17). Relation to Old Testament Background Old Covenant food laws (Leviticus 11) and ceremonial washings (Numbers 19:13) were divinely instituted foreshadows that pointed ahead to Christ (Hebrews 9:10). Once fulfilled, they passed away. Paul’s vocabulary signals that human-devised extensions of such shadows have even less permanence; they exhaust themselves at the point of use, in stark contrast to the abiding word of God (Isaiah 40:8). Implications for Christian Liberty 1. Freedom from Legalistic Asceticism: Believers who have died with Christ (Colossians 2:20) are no longer bound to man-made taboos. Application for Ministry Pastors and teachers should guard congregations from burdensome regulations that promise holiness yet lack power. Counseling should emphasize identity in Christ over performance-based spirituality. Worship planning ought to prize substance over novelty or ritualism that fades as soon as the service ends. Related New Testament Echoes Though the specific noun is unique to Colossians 2:22, the idea resonates elsewhere: Summary The single use of the word in Colossians 2:22 encapsulates Paul’s dismissal of man-centered regulations: they are consumables that vanish on contact, incapable of sanctifying the soul. True spirituality rests in the enduring, transformative life shared with Christ, not in external ordinances that perish with use. Forms and Transliterations αποχρησει αποχρήσει ἀποχρήσει apochresei apochrēsei apochrḗseiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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