### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἀπεκδύομαι (apekdyomai, `{{G554}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἀπό (apo, "from, away from, completely") and the verb ἐκδύω (ekdyo, "to strip off, to take off clothing"). The presence of ἀπό intensifies the action of ἐκδύω, indicating a complete and decisive stripping or divestment. The verb is in the middle voice, which typically indicates that the subject performs the action upon themselves or for their own benefit or detriment. Thus, the core meaning is "to divest oneself wholly," "to strip oneself completely," or "to put off entirely." In some contexts, particularly when the action is directed outwards, it can mean "to despoil" or "to strip others," but the primary nuance in the New Testament is self-divestment or a complete removal effected by the subject.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἀπεκδύομαι (apekdyomai, `{{G554}}`) appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in Paul's Epistle to the Colossians, and each occurrence presents a distinct, yet related, theological application:
1. **[[Colossians 2:15]]**: "having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."
Here, the subject is Christ, and the object of the stripping is "principalities and powers" (ἀρχὰς καὶ ἐξουσίας). The context is Christ's victory on the cross. The verb describes Christ's decisive act of stripping these spiritual hostile forces of their authority, power, or perhaps even their "armor" or "clothing," which symbolizes their influence and dominion. The middle voice here emphasizes that Christ performed this action decisively and definitively for His own glory and the liberation of humanity. It signifies a complete and public humiliation and disarmament of cosmic evil, leaving them powerless.
2. **[[Colossians 3:9]]**: "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds."
In this instance, the subject is the believer, and the object of the stripping is "the old man" (τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον). This passage is part of Paul's ethical exhortation following his theological exposition of Christ's supremacy and the believer's union with Him. "The old man" refers to the unregenerate self, characterized by sinful desires, habits, and practices. The verb ἀπεκδύομαι here perfectly captures the idea of a radical, complete, and volitional divestment of this former way of life. It is not a superficial adjustment but a thorough shedding, akin to discarding old, dirty garments, as a necessary step in the spiritual transformation into the "new man" (τὸν καινόν).
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of ἀπεκδύομαι (apekdyomai, `{{G554}}`) is illuminated by its relationship to other Greek terms and theological concepts:
* **ἐκδύω (ekdyo, `{{G1562}}`)**: The root verb, meaning "to strip off." ἀπεκδύομαι intensifies this action, emphasizing completeness and decisiveness due to the prefix ἀπό.
* **ἐνδύω (endyo, `{{G1746}}`)**: Meaning "to put on" or "to clothe oneself." This word serves as a direct antonym and is often used in conjunction with ἀπεκδύομαι in ethical contexts, particularly in Colossians 3:10, where "putting off the old man" is immediately followed by "putting on the new man." This highlights the two-fold process of sanctification: removal of the old and assumption of the new.
* **ἀποτίθημι (apotithemi, `{{G659}}`)**: Meaning "to lay aside" or "to put away." This verb is also frequently used in similar ethical exhortations (e.g., Ephesians 4:22, "put off the old man"), conveying the idea of discarding or renouncing. While similar in outcome, ἀπεκδύομαι carries a stronger, more vivid image of stripping off.
* **The "Old Man" (παλαιὸς ἄνθρωπος, `{{G3820}}`) vs. "New Man" (καινὸς ἄνθρωπος, `{{G2537}}`)**: This fundamental Pauline theological concept is directly addressed by ἀπεκδύομαι in [[Colossians 3:9]]. The act of "putting off" the old man signifies a decisive break with the former sinful identity and lifestyle, making way for the new identity in Christ.
* **Spiritual Warfare**: In [[Colossians 2:15]], the word is central to understanding Christ's victory over the unseen forces of evil, a key theme in biblical teaching on spiritual warfare.
* **Sanctification and Ethical Transformation**: The use of the word in [[Colossians 3:9]] underscores the active and radical nature of the believer's ongoing transformation in Christ, moving from a state of sin to one of conformity to Christ's image.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἀπεκδύομαι (apekdyomai, `{{G554}}`) is profound, touching upon Christology, soteriology, and Christian ethics:
1. **Christ's Definitive Victory**: In [[Colossians 2:15]], the verb powerfully conveys the absolute and public nature of Christ's triumph over all spiritual opposition. It emphasizes that the cross was not merely a defeat for sin but a decisive disarming and humiliation of the demonic powers. This means that believers are no longer subject to the dominion of these forces, as Christ has utterly stripped them of their authority. This truth provides assurance and liberation from spiritual oppression.
2. **Radical Ethical Transformation**: In [[Colossians 3:9]], the word highlights the radical demand and reality of Christian conversion and sanctification. "Putting off the old man" is not a superficial or gradual adjustment but a complete and decisive divestment of the former, unredeemed self. It signifies a break with the past identity and its sinful practices, which is foundational for living a life consistent with one's new identity in Christ. This act is a necessary prerequisite for "putting on" the "new man," which is being continually renewed in the image of its Creator.
3. **Participatory Righteousness**: The middle voice in [[Colossians 3:9]] underscores the believer's active participation in their sanctification. While the power and enablement for this transformation come from the Holy Spirit and one's union with Christ, the act of "putting off" is a volitional response to God's grace. It calls for a conscious and continuous effort to shed sinful attitudes and behaviors, aligning one's life with the new creation in Christ.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἀπεκδύομαι (apekdyomai, `{{G554}}`) signifies a complete and decisive act of stripping off or divesting. Its two New Testament occurrences reveal two pivotal theological truths. In [[Colossians 2:15]], it describes Christ's absolute and public disarming of cosmic evil powers, underscoring His definitive victory on the cross and the liberation of humanity from their dominion. In [[Colossians 3:9]], it denotes the believer's radical and volitional act of shedding "the old man"—the former, sinful self—as a foundational step in spiritual transformation and ethical living. In both contexts, the word emphasizes the thoroughness of the action, whether it is Christ's triumph over evil or the believer's decisive break with past patterns of sin, thereby highlighting the comprehensive nature of salvation and sanctification. It is closely linked to the concept of "putting on" the "new man" (`{{G1746}}` endyo), signifying the ongoing process of being conformed to Christ's image.
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