Apheidia describes severe, unsparing treatment of the body in a practice presented as wise but without value against fleshly gratification.

The attested use describes an unsparing or severe treatment of the body, set within practices that appear wise yet are said to have no value against fleshly gratification.

1. Severe treatment of the body · dominant

   In Colossians 2:23, the dative singular feminine form occurs in the description of practices marked by self-made religion, humility, and severe treatment of the body. The APB renders the verse as having "an appearance of wisdom" but being "of no value against the gratification of the flesh."

   Colossians 2:23

In the Anselm Project Bible: In Colossians 2:23, the APB presents the clause with "severe treatment of the body." This wording confirms the clause's overall presentation rather than isolating a precise English equivalent.