Understanding ἀπόθεσις (apothesis) Strong’s G595: The Spiritual Act of Putting Away that Points to Baptism’s Transformative Power

Pronunciation Guide: ap-oth’-es-is (emphasis on ‘oth’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G595: ἀπόθεσις refers to the act of putting away, removal, or laying aside. In biblical usage, it carries the profound spiritual significance of renouncing or disposing of something, particularly in contexts of moral and spiritual transformation. This word emphasizes the decisive action of separation from former ways or conditions.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound word from ἀπό (away from) + θέσις (placing)
• Noun, feminine
• Common in didactic passages
• Used in both literal and metaphorical contexts
• Found in Koine Greek literature and early Christian writings

ἀπόθεσις Morphology:

• ἀπόθεσις (nominative singular) – a putting away
• ἀποθέσεως (genitive singular) – of putting away
• ἀποθέσει (dative singular) – in/by putting away

Origin & History

The term ἀπόθεσις emerged from classical Greek where it primarily denoted the physical act of depositing or storing items. In commercial contexts, it referred to the storage of goods or the act of laying aside possessions for safekeeping, as evidenced in papyri documents from the Ptolemaic period.

In philosophical literature, particularly in the works of Plutarch (Moralia), the word began to take on more abstract meanings, referring to the abandonment of beliefs or practices. The Septuagint translators, however, did not employ this term, making its New Testament usage particularly significant in Christian theology.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• The act of removing or putting away something
• The process of laying aside or renouncing
• The deliberate disposal or rejection of something

ἀπόθεσις Translation Options:

• “putting away” – emphasizes the active nature of the separation
• “removal” – highlights the complete detachment from the former state
• “laying aside” – suggests careful and intentional distancing
• “renunciation” – captures the moral and spiritual implications

Biblical Usage

The word ἀπόθεσις appears only twice in the New Testament, but both occurrences carry significant theological weight. In 1 Peter 3:21, it relates to baptism as “not the removal [ἀπόθεσις] of dirt from the body” but rather a spiritual reality. This usage distinguishes between physical cleansing and spiritual transformation.

The second occurrence in 2 Peter 1:14 refers to Peter’s approaching death as the “laying aside [ἀπόθεσις] of my earthly dwelling.” Here, the term carries a dignified sense of voluntarily laying down one’s physical life.

Key verses:

• “not the removal [ἀπόθεσις] of the filth of the flesh” 1 Peter 3:21
• “the laying aside [ἀπόθεσις] of my earthly dwelling” 2 Peter 1:14

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish ritual practice, the concept of putting away or removal was deeply significant, particularly in purification ceremonies. The mikveh (ritual bath) involved not just physical cleansing but a symbolic putting away of ritual impurity. This cultural background illuminates Peter’s use of ἀπόθεσις in discussing baptism, where he elevates the spiritual significance above the physical act.

The term also resonated with Greco-Roman audiences familiar with the philosophical practice of abandoning old ways of thinking. In mystery religions, initiates would symbolically “put away” their old lives through various rites, though Peter’s usage points to a far more profound spiritual reality in the Messiah.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀπόθεσις in the context of baptism reveals a crucial theological truth: true spiritual transformation involves more than external ritual. When Peter emphasizes that baptism is not merely the ἀπόθεσις of physical dirt, he points to the deeper reality of what baptism represents – the putting away of the old nature and the embrace of new life in the Messiah.

This word choice beautifully captures the definitive nature of Christian conversion. Just as Peter speaks of his death as an ἀπόθεσις, suggesting a decisive transition rather than mere termination, so too does our spiritual transformation involve a decisive putting away of the old self to embrace the new creation in the Messiah Jesus.

Personal Application

When we grasp the full meaning of ἀπόθεσις, we understand that our walk with God requires decisive action in putting away things that hinder our spiritual growth. This isn’t about mere behavioral modification but about a fundamental transformation that begins with baptism and continues throughout our spiritual journey.

Consider what needs to be “put away” in your life – not just external behaviors, but internal attitudes, thought patterns, and spiritual hindrances that prevent fuller communion with God. The decisive nature of ἀπόθεσις challenges us to make clean breaks with our past when necessary for spiritual growth.

Related Words

• ἀποτίθημι (apotithēmi) – to put away, lay aside; closely related verb form emphasizing the action of removal. See G659
• ἐκδύω (ekdyō) – to strip off, take off completely; more forceful term for removal. See G1562
• καταργέω (katargeō) – to render inactive, abolish; suggests complete cessation. See G2673
• ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) – to send away, forgive; broader term including dismissal and forgiveness. See G863

Did you Know?

• The concept of ἀπόθεσις in ancient Greek banking terminology referred to making deposits, which adds an interesting dimension to Peter’s usage – suggesting we “deposit” our old nature in exchange for new life in the Messiah.
• In ancient Greek medical texts, ἀπόθεσις was used to describe the removal of bandages, providing a vivid picture of the stripping away of old coverings to reveal healing underneath.
• The philosophical schools of Athens used ἀπόθεσις to describe the process of laying aside false beliefs, though they never achieved the profound spiritual transformation that Peter describes in his epistles.

Remember This

ἀπόθεσις represents not just removal but revolutionary transformation – a decisive putting away of the old to embrace the new life that God provides through His Son.