ἀπόχρησις (apochrēsis)
apochrēsis
using up
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun apochrēsis describes the act of using something to its full extent, often carrying a negative sense of abuse or misuse. In the New Testament, this rare word appears only once, in Colossians 2:22, where Paul addresses rules that govern physical life.
Its meaning derives from roots indicating complete consumption or exhaustion. The sources highlight that it refers to handling things with such intensity that they are worn out or destroyed. This captures the futility of regulations that seem wise but ultimately fail to restrain sinful behavior because they rely on human effort rather than spiritual transformation.
Translators typically render this term as "misuse" or "abuse," emphasizing the destructive nature of relying on external controls for inner change. The word underscores a key theological point: worldly standards cannot touch the deeper desires of the heart, making them ineffective against true spiritual decay.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word apochrēsis describes using something until it is completely worn out or destroyed. In Colossians 2:22, Paul points to rules that seem wise but ultimately fail because they rely on human effort rather than spiritual transformation. These external controls cannot touch the deeper desires of the heart.
This reminds us that true change comes from within, not from strict adherence to man-made standards. When we try to manage our lives through rigid regulations, we often find ourselves exhausted by the very things meant to help us. The futility of such rules highlights our need for grace and inner renewal.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- use1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀποχρήσει1×
Key Verses
-
Colossians 2:22
(all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men?
Paul uses this rare term to show how man-made precepts perish with use, revealing their inability to restrain sinful behavior.