πόσις

drink

Definition

The Greek word πόσις (posis) primarily means 'drinking' as an action or 'drink' as a substance. In the New Testament, it refers both to the physical act of consuming a beverage (John 6:55) and to the beverage itself, such as the drinks mentioned in religious regulations (Colossians 2:16). Its most significant usage is in Romans 14:17, where it is paired with 'food' (βρῶσις, brōsis) to represent the physical elements of diet, contrasted with the spiritual realities of God's kingdom.

Biblical Usage

Πόσις is used only three times in the New Testament. In John 6:55, it describes Jesus' blood as 'true drink' in the Eucharistic discourse. In Romans 14:17, Paul uses it alongside 'food' to symbolize matters of ritual observance that are secondary to righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. In Colossians 2:16, it appears in a list of ritual elements (food, drink, festivals) that should not be used to judge believers, indicating its association with Jewish ceremonial law.

Etymology

Derived from the verb πίνω (pinō, G4095), meaning 'to drink.' It is a noun of action (-σις suffix) formed directly from this common root, literally meaning 'a drinking' or 'the act of drinking.' Cognates include the simpler noun ποτόν (poton), which more commonly means 'a drink' as a substance.

Semantic Range

This word gains theological importance in its pairing with 'food' (βρῶσις) in Romans 14:17 and Colossians 2:16. It highlights a key New Testament theme: the shift from external, ritual purity laws concerning diet to the internal, spiritual realities of God's kingdom. Understanding πόσις in these contexts helps readers see how early Christians navigated the transition from Old Covenant practices to the liberty and primary focus of the New Covenant.

In the 1st-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world, rules about drinks (like wine, water, or ritual beverages) could signify religious purity, social status, or philosophical discipline (e.g., asceticism). Paul's references in Romans and Colossians directly engage debates within the early church about continuing Jewish dietary and ceremonial laws, which included regulations about permissible drinks.

ποτόν (poton, G4188) — More commonly denotes the drink as a substance or beverage itself, whereas πόσις can emphasize the act of drinking. βρῶσις (brōsis, G1035) — Often paired with πόσις, meaning 'eating' or 'food,' together covering dietary matters.

Word Details

Scripture References