### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb κολάζω (kolázō), Strong's G2849, derives from a root suggesting "to prune" or "to curtail," as one might prune a tree or dwarf a plant. This foundational meaning implies a bringing down to a proper measure, a checking, or a restraint. Figuratively, this concept extends to the realm of discipline and punishment. It signifies the act of chastising, not necessarily with the intent of destruction, but to curb, correct, or bring into submission. A significant nuance within its semantic range is "to reserve for infliction," indicating a holding in check or a state of being held accountable for future judgment, rather than immediate execution of the full penalty.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κολάζω appears in the New Testament in two distinct contexts, each highlighting a different facet of its meaning:
* **[[Acts 4:21]]**: "But when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to *punish* them, because of the people, for all were glorifying God for what had happened." Here, the word describes the Sanhedrin's desire to inflict a penalty upon Peter and John. The sense is one of actual, perhaps physical or legal, chastisement aimed at curtailing their activities and influence. The authorities were restrained not by their own will, but by external circumstances (the public's reverence for God).
* **[[2 Peter 2:9]]**: "then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under *punishment* until the day of judgment," In this eschatological context, κολάζω takes on the nuance of "reserving for infliction." It does not imply immediate, full punishment, but rather that the unrighteous are held in a state of restraint or under a divine sentence, awaiting the final and complete execution of judgment on the "day of judgment." This signifies a divine holding pattern, where the wicked are already under the shadow of their impending doom, though its full manifestation is deferred.
### Related Words & Concepts
To fully appreciate κολάζω, it is helpful to consider its relationship to other Greek terms for discipline and punishment:
* **`{{G2851}}` (κόλασις - kolasis)**: This is the noun form of κολάζω. It appears in [[Matthew 25:46]] ("eternal punishment") and [[1 John 4:18]] ("punishment has to do with fear"). Like the verb, it carries the sense of a curtailment, a cutting off, or a restrictive penalty, often with the aim of correction or restraint, but in an eschatological context, it denotes a permanent state.
* **`{{G3811}}` (παιδεία - paideia)**: This term emphasizes discipline as instruction and training, often with the goal of moral improvement or correction (e.g., [[Hebrews 12:5-11]]). While it can involve punitive measures, its primary focus is on shaping and guiding.
* **`{{G5098}}` (τιμωρία - timōria)**: This word often conveys the idea of retribution or vengeance, a punishment that serves as a requital for an offense. It emphasizes the just deserts of an action.
* **`{{G1349}}` (δίκη - dikē)**: This broader term refers to justice, judgment, or a penalty, encompassing the legal and moral aspects of divine and human adjudication.
While these terms overlap, κολάζω uniquely highlights the aspect of curtailment, restraint, or being held in check, whether as an immediate corrective measure or as a reservation for future, ultimate judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κολάζω lies in its portrayal of divine justice and sovereignty. In [[Acts 4:21]], it underscores the limits of human authority when confronted by God's will and the power of the Spirit; human desire to punish can be thwarted. More profoundly, in [[2 Peter 2:9]], κολάζω illuminates God's precise and patient administration of justice. It reveals that not all judgment is immediate; the unrighteous are not always destroyed instantly but are "held under punishment," signifying a state of being already condemned and reserved for the full manifestation of divine wrath. This concept emphasizes God's control over time and judgment, assuring believers that while the wicked may seem to prosper, they are already under divine sentence, their ultimate reckoning certain. The connection to its noun form, `{{G2851}}` (κόλασις), particularly in the context of "eternal punishment" in [[Matthew 25:46]], suggests that this "curtailment" or "imprisonment" is not merely temporary but can be an eternal state for those who reject God. It speaks to the serious consequences of unrighteousness and the finality of divine judgment, where the freedom and well-being of the ungodly are permanently curtailed.
### Summary
The Greek word κολάζω (kolázō), Strong's G2849, fundamentally means "to curtail" or "to restrain," extending to "to chastise" or "to punish." Its two New Testament occurrences reveal nuanced applications: in [[Acts 4:21]], it denotes human authorities' thwarted attempt to inflict punishment; in [[2 Peter 2:9]], it describes God's action of "reserving under punishment" the unrighteous until the day of judgment, implying a state of impending, yet deferred, divine justice. Related to terms like `{{G2851}}` (κόλασις) for restrictive punishment, `{{G3811}}` (παιδεία) for corrective discipline, and `{{G5098}}` (τιμωρία) for retribution, κολάζω emphasizes the aspect of curtailment or being held in check. Theologically, it highlights God's sovereign control over judgment, demonstrating both His ability to restrain human opposition and His certainty in holding the wicked accountable, reserving them for a final, decisive, and often eternal curtailment of their existence and freedom.
TRV