🌙
☀️
← Back to Lexicon
G4234 · Greek · New Testament
πρᾶξις
Praxis
Noun, feminine
Deed; Practice; Action; Function

Definition

A deed, action, or regular practice — used for evil deeds of the body that must be put to death and for the 'Acts' of the apostles.

Usage & Theological Significance

The Greek praxis (from prassō, to do/practice) means an action, deed, or ongoing practice. It is a significant NT word: Romans 8:13 calls believers to 'put to death the praxeis of the body by the Spirit'; Colossians 3:9 commands putting off the 'old self with its praxeis'; Luke 23:51 describes Joseph of Arimathea as one 'who had not consented to their decision and action (praxis)'; and in Acts 19:18 new converts 'openly confessed what they had done (praxeis).' The word 'Acts' (Greek: Praxeis) in the title of Luke's second volume is the 'Deeds/Actions of the Apostles.'

The theology of praxis in Romans 8:13 is the heart of sanctification: 'if by the Spirit you put to death the praxeis of the body, you will live.' The body's habitual practices — the patterns of flesh — must be actively mortified, not merely regretted. Yet this is not human self-improvement: it is specifically 'by the Spirit' that the old praxeis are put to death. Sanctification is cooperative — the human will and the divine Spirit working together to replace old patterns with new ones. The book of Praxeis (Acts) shows what this looks like at scale: Spirit-empowered people enacting the ongoing deed of God in history.

Key Bible Verses

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds (praxeis) of the body, you will live.
Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices (praxesin).
Acts 19:18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done (praxeis).
Luke 23:51 Joseph of Arimathea had not consented to their decision and deed (praxis). He came from the Judean town of Arimathea.
Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Related Words

External Resources