Lexical Summary apheidia: Self-denial, lack of restraint, severity Original Word: ἀφειδία 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 Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and pheidomai Definition unsparing treatment NASB Translation severe treatment (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 857: ἀφειδίᾳἀφειδίᾳ (ἀφειδεια Lachmann, see under the word εἰ, ἰ), ἀφειδιας, ἡ (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. 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. 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. 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 apheidíāiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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