Strong's Lexicon apheidia: Self-denial, lack of restraint, severity Original Word: ἀφειδία Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix ἀ- (a-, "without") and φείδομαι (pheidomai, "to spare" or "to refrain") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "apheidia," the concept of self-denial or asceticism can be related to Hebrew terms like "עֲנָוָה" (anavah, humility) or "צָם" (tzom, fasting), which are practices of self-discipline in the Hebrew tradition. Usage: The term "apheidia" refers to a lack of restraint or self-denial, often in the context of religious or ascetic practices. It implies a rigorous or severe approach to one's own body or desires, typically for spiritual purposes. In the New Testament, it is used to describe an extreme form of self-discipline that can be misguided if not aligned with true spiritual wisdom. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, ascetic practices were common among various philosophical and religious groups. Such practices were often seen as a means to achieve higher spiritual states or moral purity. However, the early Christian perspective, as reflected in the New Testament, cautioned against excessive asceticism that could lead to pride or a misunderstanding of true godliness. The early church emphasized a balance between discipline and grace, warning against practices that might appear pious but lack true spiritual value. 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). 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 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 |