Understanding ἀπέκδυσις (apekdysis) Strong’s G555: The Spiritual Stripping Away that Reveals Our New Nature in Messiah

Pronunciation Guide: ah-pek’-doo-sis

Basic Definition

Strong’s G555: A rare and theologically rich term meaning “the act of stripping off” or “complete removal,” specifically referring to the spiritual putting off of the old sinful nature through union with the Messiah. This compound word powerfully illustrates the complete divestiture of our former way of life, like removing an old garment, to walk in newness of life.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (feminine)
• Compound word from ἀπό (away from) and ἐκδύω (to strip off)
• Used exclusively in doctrinal/teaching contexts
• Hapax legomenon (appears only once in the New Testament)

ἀπέκδυσις Morphology:

• ἀπέκδυσις (nominative singular) – a stripping off
• ἀπεκδύσεως (genitive singular) – of stripping off
• ἀπεκδύσει (dative singular) – in/by stripping off

Origin & History

The term ἀπέκδυσις represents a unique Pauline compound, demonstrating his masterful ability to craft precise theological vocabulary. While the simple form ἐκδύω appears in classical Greek literature, particularly in Herodotus’s Histories describing the removal of armor or clothing, the compound ἀπέκδυσις is not found in classical sources.

In the early church fathers, Origen (Commentary on Romans) employs this term when discussing spiritual transformation, drawing on Paul’s imagery of removing old garments of sin. Similarly, John Chrysostom (Homilies on Colossians) expands on this metaphor, comparing it to the stripping of old garments before baptism.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete removal or stripping off of something that formerly clung closely
• Decisive act of divesting or disrobing, specifically of the sinful nature
• Thorough separation from an old state or condition

ἀπέκδυσις Translation Options:

• “putting off” – Emphasizes the deliberate action of removal
• “stripping away” – Captures the thoroughness of the action
• “complete removal” – Highlights the finality and totality
• “divestiture” – Formal equivalent preserving the legal/ceremonial overtones

Biblical Usage

The sole New Testament occurrence of ἀπέκδυσις appears in Colossians 2:11, where Paul employs it in a profound theological context discussing spiritual circumcision. The related verb form ἀπεκδύομαι appears in Colossians 3:9 and connects to the imagery of removing old garments.

While the exact noun form doesn’t appear in the Septuagint, the concept is richly present in passages about removing old garments as metaphors for spiritual transformation, particularly in prophetic literature.

• “In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal [ἀπέκδυσις] of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Messiah” Colossians 2:11

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of stripping off garments carried significant spiritual symbolism. During the Yom Kippur service, the High Priest would change garments multiple times, each change representing a transition between the earthly and heavenly realms. This cultural understanding of changing garments as spiritual transformation would have resonated deeply with Paul’s first-century audience.

The metaphor also connects to the practice of proselyte baptism in Second Temple Judaism, where converts would remove their old garments before immersion, symbolizing the leaving behind of their former way of life. This ritual backdrop enriches our understanding of ἀπέκδυσις as more than just removal, but a complete identity transformation.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀπέκδυσις in Colossians 2:11 represents a masterful theological development by Paul, connecting the physical act of circumcision under the Old Covenant with the spiritual reality it prefigured. This “stripping off” of the sinful nature is accomplished through our union with the Messiah, highlighting the supernatural nature of regeneration.

This term emphasizes the completeness of our transformation in Messiah. Just as one cannot partially remove a garment, the work of regeneration is not partial or incomplete. The double prefix (ἀπό + ἐκ) intensifies the thoroughness of this removal, pointing to the radical nature of our new creation in Messiah.

Personal Application

When we grasp the full force of ἀπέκδυσις, we understand that our old nature has been completely stripped away in Messiah. This truth should empower believers to walk in the reality of their new identity, knowing that the old self has been decisively removed. Just as one would not try to wear a garment that has been stripped off, we should not return to patterns of life that belonged to our old nature.

Related Words

• ἐκδύω (ekdyō) – to strip off, remove clothing – Emphasizes the basic action of removal without the completeness implied by ἀπέκδυσις See G1562
• ἐνδύω (endyō) – to put on, clothe oneself – The opposite action, representing the positive side of transformation See G1746
• περιαιρέω (periaireō) – to take away, remove completely – Similar concept but without the specific garment metaphor See G4014

Did you Know?

• The double prefix in ἀπέκδυσις (ἀπό + ἐκ) is extremely rare in Greek literature, suggesting Paul may have coined this term to express the thoroughness of spiritual transformation.
• In ancient Greek athletic competitions, athletes would strip off their garments before competing, a practice that may have influenced Paul’s use of this metaphor in describing the Christian life.
• Modern Greek still uses the root form ἐκδύω in contexts of changing clothes, particularly in formal or ecclesiastical settings.

Remember This

ἀπέκδυσις represents the supernatural, complete stripping away of our old nature through union with Messiah, marking an irreversible transformation that empowers new life in Him.