857. apheidia
Lexical Summary
apheidia: Self-denial, lack of restraint, severity

Original Word: ἀφειδία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: apheidia
Pronunciation: ah-fay-DEE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (af-i-dee'-ah)
KJV: neglecting
NASB: severe treatment
Word Origin: [from a compound of G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and G5339 (φείδομαι - spare)]

1. unsparingness, i.e. austerity (asceticism)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
neglect.

From a compound of a (as a negative particle) and pheidomai; unsparingness, i.e. Austerity (asceticism) -- neglecting.

see GREEK a

see GREEK pheidomai

HELPS Word-studies

857 apheidía – (from 1 /A "not" and 5339 /pheídomai, "to spare") – properly, unsparing severity, referring to a "severe form of self-control" based on an ascetic, unsparing attitude" (L & N, 1, 88.90).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and pheidomai
Definition
unsparing treatment
NASB Translation
severe treatment (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 857: ἀφειδίᾳ

ἀφειδίᾳ (ἀφειδεια Lachmann, see under the word εἰ, ), ἀφειδιας, (the disposition of a man who is ἀφειδής, unsparing), unsparing severity: with the genitive of the object, τοῦ σώματος, Colossians 2:23 (τῶν σωμάτων ἀφείδειν, Lysias 2, 25 (193, 5); Diodorus 13, 60; 79 etc. (see Lightfoot on Colossians, the passage cited); in Plato, defin., p. 412 d. ἀφειδίᾳ means liberality).

Topical Lexicon
Term and Biblical Occurrence

Strong’s Greek 857 (ἀφειδία) appears once in the New Testament—Colossians 2:23—where Paul exposes certain man-made regulations that promote “harsh treatment of the body”. The term denotes an unsparing, ascetic severity that withholds normal care from the body in hopes of gaining spiritual merit.

Context in Colossians

The Colossian heresy blended elements of Jewish ritualism, proto-Gnostic philosophy, and pagan asceticism. Paul counters by exalting the sufficiency of Christ (Colossians 2:9-10) and warns that rules centered on food, drink, and festival observance (2:16) are but “a shadow of the things to come, but the body belongs to Christ” (2:17). Into this setting ἀφειδία surfaces:

“Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom with their self-prescribed worship, false humility, and harsh treatment of the body, but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:23)

Paul’s assessment is decisive—self-devised severity may look impressive but utterly fails to restrain sinful desire.

Contrast Between Unsparingness and Gospel Freedom

1. True holiness flows from union with Christ (Colossians 3:1-4), not from bodily torment.
2. The body, though fallen, is destined for resurrection (1 Corinthians 6:13-14); mistreating it contradicts God’s redemptive purpose.
3. Genuine self-denial is Spirit-enabled (Romans 8:13) and produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), whereas ἀφειδία fosters pride and legalism.

Old Testament and Jewish Background

While the Law prescribed fasting and ritual abstinence (Leviticus 16:29-31; Joel 2:12-13), these acts were covenant responses to God’s grace, never self-saving measures. Post-exilic Judaism occasionally drifted toward showy austerities (Isaiah 58:3-5), setting a precedent for later ascetic extremes addressed by Paul.

Comparative New Testament Teaching on Bodily Discipline

• Balanced Discipline: “I discipline my body and make it my slave” (1 Corinthians 9:27) reflects purposeful stewardship, not punitive severity.
• Warning Against Ascetic Legalism: “They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created” (1 Timothy 4:3). Paul labels such commands “teachings of demons.”
• Proper Fasting: Jesus assumed fasting (Matthew 6:16-18) but condemned outward displays engineered for human praise.

Historical Developments in the Church

Early monasticism often pursued extreme austerities—sleep deprivation, prolonged fasts, self-flagellation—believing these would mortify sin. While devotion and discipline are commendable, episodes of ἀφειδία illustrate how ascetic practice can eclipse grace and foster elitism. Reformers highlighted justification by faith to correct these distortions, urging believers to honor the body as “a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Practical and Pastoral Implications

• Spiritual leaders must guard congregations from rules that promise holiness through bodily neglect.
• Believers pursuing disciplines like fasting or simplicity should examine motives, ensuring Christ, not self-achievement, remains central.
• Counseling ministry should recognize that self-harm or eating disorders may mask a modern form of ἀφειδία needing both pastoral care and medical attention.
• Worship planning ought to celebrate freedom in Christ while encouraging Spirit-led practices of moderation, stewardship, and thanksgiving (Romans 14:17).

Summary

ἀφειδία exposes the folly of unsparing asceticism. Scripture affirms disciplined living but rejects any regimen that substitutes human severity for the finished work of Christ. Only the gospel grants power to subdue the flesh, honor the body, and cultivate authentic holiness.

Forms and Transliterations
αφειδια αφειδία ἀφειδίᾳ αφειδώς apheidia apheidíāi
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Colossians 2:23 N-DFS
GRK: ταπεινοφροσύνῃ καὶ ἀφειδίᾳ σώματος οὐκ
NAS: and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body,
KJV: and neglecting of the body;
INT: humility and unsparing treatment of [the] body not

Strong's Greek 857
1 Occurrence


ἀφειδίᾳ — 1 Occ.

856
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