Will-worship is a term derived from the Greek word "ethelothrēskia," which appears in Colossians 2:23. The Apostle Paul uses this term to describe a form of self-imposed religious practice that is not rooted in divine command but rather in human invention and self-will. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as: "Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, false humility, and harsh treatment of the body, but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh."

Biblical Context

In the context of Colossians 2, Paul addresses the Colossian church, warning them against being swayed by false teachings and human traditions that detract from the sufficiency of Christ. The chapter emphasizes the fullness of life found in Christ alone, cautioning against philosophies and practices that are based on human precepts rather than divine revelation. Paul critiques these practices as having "an appearance of wisdom" but ultimately lacking true spiritual value.

Characteristics of Will-Worship

1. Self-Imposed Practices: Will-worship involves religious activities and disciplines that are self-imposed rather than commanded by God. These practices may appear pious and devout but are rooted in human will rather than divine instruction.

2. False Humility: Paul notes that will-worship often includes a display of humility that is not genuine. This false humility is a pretense, designed to appear spiritually superior or more devout than others.

3. Asceticism: The passage also references "harsh treatment of the body," indicating that will-worship may involve ascetic practices. These practices are intended to subdue the flesh but are ineffective in curbing sinful desires.

4. Lack of Spiritual Efficacy: Despite their outward appearance, these practices are "of no value against the indulgence of the flesh." They fail to address the root of sin and do not contribute to true spiritual growth or holiness.

Theological Implications

Will-worship reflects a reliance on human effort and tradition rather than on the grace and sufficiency of Christ. It underscores the danger of adding human regulations to the gospel, which can lead to legalism and a distorted view of Christian living. The emphasis on external practices can detract from the internal transformation that comes through a relationship with Christ.

Historical and Modern Examples

Throughout church history, various movements and sects have exhibited characteristics of will-worship by emphasizing human traditions and self-imposed regulations. In modern times, believers may encounter similar tendencies in legalistic or ritualistic expressions of faith that prioritize human effort over divine grace.

Scriptural Warnings

The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of adhering to human traditions over God's commandments. Jesus Himself criticized the Pharisees for their adherence to human traditions that nullified the word of God (Mark 7:8-9). Believers are encouraged to seek a faith that is rooted in the truth of Scripture and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, rather than in self-imposed religious practices.

In summary, will-worship is a cautionary concept within the Christian faith, highlighting the importance of discerning between human traditions and divine commands. It serves as a reminder to prioritize the sufficiency of Christ and the authority of Scripture in all aspects of worship and practice.WILL-WORSHIP

In Colossians 2:23, "a show of wisdom in will-worship," for ethelothreskia), a word found nowhere else but formed exactly like "will-worship": worship originating in the human will as opposed to the divine, arbitrary religious acts, worthless despite their difficulty of performance.

1479. ethelothreskia -- self-willed (arbitrary and unwarranted) ...
... voluntary worship. From ethelo and threskeia; voluntary (arbitrary and unwarranted)
piety, ie Sanctimony -- will worship. see GREEK ethelo. see GREEK threskeia. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1479.htm - 7k

Serapion and his Extant Works.
... reached us only those addressed to a certain Domninus, who, in the time of persecution,
fell away from faith in Christ to the Jewish will-worship; [1833] and ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xii serapion and his extant.htm

The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is ...
... Therefore, his soul abhors will-worship, devised by men out of ignorant zeal or
superstition, though there might seem much devotion in it, and much affection ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xi the knowledge that.htm

The Practice of Piety; Directing a Christian How to Walk that He ...
... Unless that a man doth truly know God, he neither can nor will worship him
aright: for how can a man love him whom he knoweth not? ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/the practice of piety directing.htm

Jesus Talks with a Samaritan Woman
... Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to
her, "Woman, believe me, the time will come when you will worship the Father ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus talks with a samaritan.htm

From the First Chapter.
... Whence also the prophet anticipated this, and said: "We will worship in the place
where His feet have stood." [2248] Because where they first of all stood and ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the first chapter.htm

Psalm CXXXVIII.
... 3. "I will worship toward Thy holy Temple" (ver.2). What holy Temple? That where
we shall dwell, where we shall worship. For we hasten that we may adore. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxviii.htm

If it is So Very Important. . . ?
... us, and one dear old grandmother put her arms round me, and stroked my face with
her wrinkled old hand, and said, "Don't be troubled; we will worship your God. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xvii if it is.htm

Of Vows. The Miserable Entanglements Caused by Vowing Rashly.
... In regard in the first, we should consider that we have to do with God, whom our
obedience so delights, that he abominates all will-worship, how specious and ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 of vows the.htm

Psalm V.
... 9. "I will worship at Thy holy temple, in Thy fear." "At the temple," we
understand as, "near" the temple. For he does not say, I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm v.htm

Obedience
... with the original. To seem to be zealous, if it be not according to the
word, is not obedience, but will-worship. Popish traditions ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 1 obedience.htm

Will-worship (1 Occurrence)
Will-worship. Willworship, Will-worship. Wilt . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ...
(ASV WBS YLT). Willworship, Will-worship. Wilt . Reference Bible.
/w/will-worship.htm - 7k

Willworship
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia WILL-WORSHIP. In Colossians 2:23, "a show
of wisdom in will-worship," for ethelothreskia), a word ...
/w/willworship.htm - 6k

Wills (12 Occurrences)

/w/wills.htm - 9k

Yours (226 Occurrences)
... over his birth. (WEY). Luke 4:7 If you therefore willworship before me,
it will all be yours." (WEB WEY BBE NAS RSV NIV). Luke 5:33 ...
/y/yours.htm - 35k

Yonder (15 Occurrences)
... the donkey. The boy and I will go yonder. We willworship, and come back
to you." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Genesis 24:65 ...
/y/yonder.htm - 11k

Nay (92 Occurrences)
... John 4:23 But a time is coming--nay, has already come--when the true worshippers
willworship the Father with true spiritual worship; for indeed the Father ...
/n/nay.htm - 34k

Neglecting (6 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in willworship, and humility,
and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the ...
/n/neglecting.htm - 8k

Outcasts (13 Occurrences)
... blown; and those who were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and those who
were outcasts in the land of Egypt, shall come; and they willworship Yahweh in ...
/o/outcasts.htm - 10k

Worshippers (45 Occurrences)
... John 4:23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers willworship
the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers ...
/w/worshippers.htm - 19k

Famish (2 Occurrences)
... gods of the land. Men willworship him, everyone from his place, even all
the shores of the nations. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). ...
/f/famish.htm - 8k

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