verb

ἀπεκδύομαι

0
apekduomai
September 19, 2025
Greek
Important Words

Pronunciation Guide: ap-ek-DOO-oh-my

Basic Definition

Strong’s G554: To completely strip off from oneself, to wholly put off, to disarm and divest of power. This compound word conveys the decisive and thorough action of removing or stripping away, particularly in contexts of spiritual warfare and victory over evil powers.

Etymology and Morphology

  • Compound verb formed from three elements: ἀπό (away from) + ἐκ (out of) + δύω (to sink into, put on)
  • Primary usage in doctrinal/teaching passages
  • Middle voice verb indicating the subject performs the action upon itself
  • Rare in classical Greek, appears primarily in New Testament
  • Related to the simpler form ἐκδύω (to strip off)

ἀπεκδύομαι Morphology:

  • ἀπεκδυσάμενος (aorist middle participle) – having stripped off
  • ἀπεκδύεσθαι (present middle infinitive) – to strip off
  • ἀπεκδυσάμενοι (aorist middle participle plural) – those who have stripped off

Origin & History

The term ἀπεκδύομαι is a distinctively Pauline compound word, not found in classical Greek literature before the New Testament era. Its construction demonstrates the apostle Paul’s genius for creating precise theological terminology. The double prefix (ἀπό + ἐκ) intensifies the basic meaning of δύω, emphasizing the completeness of the stripping off action.

The word appears to be coined by Paul specifically for expressing profound spiritual truths about the believer’s complete separation from both sin nature and evil powers. While the simple form ἐκδύω was common in classical Greek for the physical act of stripping off clothes or armor, Paul’s compound form elevates the concept to express deep spiritual realities.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

  • Complete divestiture of power or authority from an opposing force
  • Thorough stripping off of an old nature or identity
  • Decisive removal of spiritual bondage or constraints
  • Total disarmament of an enemy’s capabilities

ἀπεκδύομαι Translation Options:

  • “To strip off completely” – emphasizes the thoroughness of the action
  • “To disarm thoroughly” – highlights the martial/warfare context
  • “To divest entirely” – stresses the complete removal of power
  • “To put off decisively” – captures the finality of the action

Biblical Usage

The word ἀπεκδύομαι appears most significantly in Colossians 2:15, where it describes God’s triumphant disarming of evil powers through the Messiah’s work on the cross. This usage paints a vivid picture of a complete and decisive victory, where the powers of darkness are stripped of their authority and publicly humiliated.

The term also appears in Colossians 3:9 in reference to believers “putting off” the old self with its practices. This parallel usage suggests a profound connection between the Messiah’s victory over evil powers and the believer’s victory over the sin nature.

  • “And having disarmed [ἀπεκδυσάμενος] the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15
  • “Since you have put off [ἀπεκδυσάμενοι] the old self with its practices” Colossians 3:9

Cultural Insights

In the ancient world, the practice of stripping defeated enemies of their armor and weapons was a well-known symbol of complete victory. This act would often be followed by a triumphal procession where the stripped enemies would be publicly displayed as proof of the victor’s supremacy. This cultural background illuminates Paul’s use of ἀπεκδύομαι in Colossians 2:15, where he portrays the Messiah’s cross as the ultimate triumphal procession.

The double prefix in ἀπεκδύομαι would have resonated with Paul’s Roman audience, as it parallels the thorough stripping of a conquered enemy’s armor – not just removing the outer layers, but completely disarming them to the point of helplessness.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀπεκδύομαι reveals the absolute nature of God’s victory over evil powers through the Messiah’s death and resurrection. It emphasizes that this triumph was not partial or temporary but complete and permanent. The powers of darkness were not merely defeated but thoroughly stripped of their authority and ability to dominate believers.

This word also carries profound implications for the believer’s sanctification. Just as the Messiah completely stripped the evil powers of their authority, believers are called to completely strip off the old nature. The middle voice of the verb suggests this is both an action we participate in and yet one ultimately empowered by God’s grace.

The thoroughness implied by the double prefix demonstrates God’s complete provision for victory over both external spiritual enemies and internal sinful nature. Nothing of the old remains when God strips it away – the victory is absolute.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀπεκδύομαι challenges us to embrace the completeness of our deliverance in the Messiah. Just as He thoroughly stripped the evil powers of their authority, we are called to completely strip off old patterns of thinking and behavior. This word reminds us that halfway measures are insufficient – God calls us to total transformation.

When we feel overwhelmed by spiritual opposition or stuck in old patterns, ἀπεκδύομαι reminds us that through the Messiah’s victory, we have been given both the authority and ability to completely strip off everything that hinders our walk with Him.

  • ἐκδύω (ekduō) – to strip off, take off clothes – simpler form without the intensifying prefix, used for literal undressing or stripping See G1562
  • ἐνδύω (enduō) – to put on, clothe oneself – the opposite action, used for putting on the new nature See G1746
  • ἀποτίθημι (apotithēmi) – to put away, cast off – similar concept but without the intensity of stripping See G659
  • καταργέω (katargeō) – to render powerless, abolish – related concept of defeating evil powers See G2673

Did you Know?

  • The double prefix ἀπεκ- (apek-) in ἀπεκδύομαι is extremely rare in Greek literature, making this word a distinctive Pauline creation that emphasizes the thoroughness of the stripping off action.
  • In ancient Roman triumphal processions, the stripped armor and weapons of defeated enemies would be carried on poles and wagons as trophies, which provides vivid imagery for understanding Paul’s use of this word in describing the Messiah’s victory.
  • The middle voice form of ἀπεκδύομαι suggests a personal involvement in the action while still acknowledging divine enablement – a beautiful picture of the cooperation between divine grace and human responsibility in sanctification.

Remember This

ἀπεκδύομαι represents the absolute and thorough stripping away of all that opposes God’s purposes, whether external spiritual forces or internal sinful nature, through the complete victory achieved by the Messiah on the cross.

📚 Note

  • This lexicon entry is finalized for peer review once you see two checkmarks.
  • Readers engaged in critical research should verify citations & keyword occurrences in their preferred Bible. Logos Bible software is recommended.
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