πλησμονή (plēsmonē)
plēsmonē
gratification
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun plēsmonē denotes a state of fullness or satiety, often carrying the specific sense of satisfying physical desires to the point of repletion. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Colossians 2:23, where Paul uses it to describe self-imposed regulations that claim spiritual value but lack real power against sensual indulgence.
Its root connects to the idea of filling up or satisfying completely, a concept mirrored in the Septuagint’s translation of Hebrew words for eating until full. The phrase "indulgence of the flesh" here suggests that such rules may give a false sense of gratification, appealing to human pride rather than achieving true holiness.
Translators typically render this word as "satisfaction" or "gratification," highlighting the contrast between external discipline and internal transformation. The term underscores the futility of relying on outward acts to control inner desires, pointing instead to the need for a deeper change in heart that only Christ provides.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word plēsmonē points to a deep sense of fullness or satisfaction. In Colossians 2:23, Paul uses it to describe rules that seem wise but fail to stop sinful desires. These self-imposed regulations offer a false gratification, appealing to pride rather than transforming the heart.
True change comes not from external discipline but from Christ’s work within us. When we rely on our own efforts to control our flesh, we find only temporary relief. The gospel invites us to rest in Jesus, who alone satisfies our deepest longings and gives us power to live freely.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] indulgence1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πλησμονὴν1×
Key Verses
-
Colossians 2:23
These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, humility, and severity to the body, but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Paul uses plēsmonē here to show that self-imposed rules cannot stop fleshly indulgence, highlighting the futility of human effort without Christ.