Word Study for G2853 (κολλάω)

kolláō /kol-lah'-o/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ("glue")

Meaningto glue, i.e. (passively or reflexively) to stick (figuratively)

KJV usagecleave, join (self), keep company.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kolláō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word kolláō, represented by G2853, is derived from the word for "glue." It means to glue, stick, cleave, join oneself, or keep company. It appears 11 times across 11 unique verses, highlighting a range of applications from physical attachment to profound spiritual and relational union.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G2853 is used to illustrate different kinds of bonds. It can describe a desperate, worldly attachment, as when the prodigal son "joined himself" to a citizen of a far country Luke 15:15. In the book of Acts, it often refers to physical association, such as the Spirit commanding Philip to "join thyself to" a chariot Acts 8:29 or the disciples in Jerusalem being afraid to let Saul "join himself" to them Acts 9:26. The word also carries a significant spiritual weight, defining the union between a believer and God: "he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit" 1 Corinthians 6:17. Conversely, it warns against unholy bonds, noting that one who is "joined to an harlot is one body" 1 Corinthians 6:16.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the concept of joining or cleaving:

G655 apostygéō (to detest utterly): This word is used in direct contrast to G2853 in the command to "Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good" Romans 12:9.
G18 agathós (good): This is the object to which believers are commanded to cleave, representing the moral and spiritual standard they should adhere to Romans 12:9.
G4334 prosérchomai (to approach, come near): This word is used alongside G2853 to describe the previous prohibition against a Jew to keep company with or come unto a Gentile, showing a parallel between association and approach Acts 10:28.
G3987 peiráō (to test, attempt): This word describes Saul's effort when he "assayed to join himself" to the disciples, indicating that the act of joining can be an intentional effort or attempt Acts 9:26.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2853 is significant, particularly in how it defines relationships and spiritual identity.

Spiritual Union: The most profound application is the believer's union with Christ. Being "joined unto the Lord" is not merely an association but results in becoming "one spirit" with Him, a foundational concept of Christian identity 1 Corinthians 6:17.
Moral Adherence: The command to "cleave to that which is good" Romans 12:9 frames morality as an active, deliberate attachment. It is a conscious decision to "glue" oneself to goodness G18, as opposed to evil.
Consequences of Association: The word warns of the spiritual consequences of physical and relational bonds. Just as joining with the Lord creates spiritual unity, being "joined to an harlot" creates a union in the flesh, demonstrating that our connections have defining power 1 Corinthians 6:16.
Belief and Fellowship: The connection between belief G4100 and joining is shown in Acts. The disciples' initial lack of belief prevented Saul from joining them Acts 9:26, while in Athens, those who believed were the ones who "clave unto him" Acts 17:34.

Summary

In summary, G2853 is more than just a word for physical sticking. It represents a powerful, defining bond. It is used to describe everything from the dust that "cleaveth" to a person's feet Luke 10:11 to the sins of Babylon that have "reached unto heaven" Revelation 18:5. Theologically, it forces a choice: to what or to whom will one be joined? It illustrates that our allegiances—whether to the world, to sin, or to the Lord—fundamentally shape our identity and destiny.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 12 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Passive Infinitive 3×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 2×
Aorist Passive Imperative 2nd Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 1×
Aorist Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Future Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Passive Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Accusative: The direct object of the verb.
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 5 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts (5 verses); never once in the other 22.

Luke

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.