κολάζω (kolazō)
kolazō
to punish
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kolazō carries the sense of restricting or cutting back, much like pruning a tree or docking an animal’s tail. Its root relates to making something smaller or shorter, which extends metaphorically to checking behavior or imposing penalties. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in Acts 4:21 where the religious leaders threaten Peter and John after their healing of a lame man.
While often translated simply as "punish," the word retains its nuance of correction and restraint. The sources note that in broader Greek usage, including the Septuagint, it can mean to chastise or curb excesses. Here, the threat is not just retribution but a warning to stop their disruptive actions. This aligns with the idea of pruning away harmful growth to restore proper order.
Translators sometimes choose "warn" or "threaten" in this context because the immediate action is intimidation rather than execution of a sentence. However, the underlying concept remains one of enforced limitation. The word points to authority exercised through restriction, aiming to curb what is seen as disobedient or dangerous behavior.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word kolazō suggests more than simple revenge; it carries the image of pruning or cutting back what is overgrown. In Acts 4:21, the religious leaders threatened to punish Peter and John, aiming to restrict their bold witness. This reflects a human desire to control behavior through fear, yet the result was that everyone glorified God instead. The threat failed because the gospel cannot be contained by such restrictions.
For your faith, this reminds us that authority often tries to limit truth, but God’s people remain free in Him. We do not need to fear those who seek to curb our witness, for they hold no ultimate power over our souls. Instead, we can trust that the Lord knows how to deliver the godly from temptation and keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment (2 Peter 2:9). This gives us peace when facing opposition.
When you feel pressured to stay silent or compromise, remember that God’s justice is sure and His protection is real. You are not alone in your struggles against fear or control. May you find comfort in knowing that God sees your faithfulness and will bring about His perfect timing. Rest in His care, and let your life reflect the freedom found in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they may punish1×
- being punished1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κολάσωνται1×
- κολαζομένους1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 4:21
When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.
This verse shows kolazō used by human authorities attempting to restrict apostolic witness through threat rather than legal execution.
-
II Peter 2:9
then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
Here the word describes God’s future judgment, emphasizing His ability to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.