Destroyed comes from the root concept of loosing in combination with a preposition expressing down, against, or according to. The adding of the preposition modifies the meaning of loose to express total releasing, thus destruction.
Christ did not come to destroy the law and the prophets. His purpose was not to modify, change, or release the law, but to fulfill it and the prophecies given to Israel (Matthew 5:17).
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Christ prophesied about the Temple, stating it would be destroyed so that no stone would be left upon another (Matthew 24:2). These words were later twisted and used against Christ as though He was going to destroy the Temple (Matthew 26:61; 27:40).
And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” (Matthew 26:59–61)
Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27:39–40).
καταλύω also has a secondary meaning, expressing lodging. Thousands came out to hear Christ speak during His ministry in Israel. As the day wore away, the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him to send away the multitude so they could go into the surrounding town and country to find lodging (Luke 9:12). When Christ went to the house of Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and thus considered to be a sinner in the eyes of the Jews (religious leaders), the Jews spoke against Jesus. The Jews complained about Jesus going to lodge with a man who was a sinner in their eyes (Luke 19:5). Both of these instances help us better understand the concept conveyed by destroyed, for it holds within its meaning the concept of resting from a journey.
When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.” (Luke 9:12)
But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” (Luke 19:5)
Destroy may also convey bringing to nothing. During the time of the Church in Jerusalem, the leaders of Israel were displeased that they proclaimed Jesus had been raised from the dead, because if the people understood them, the leaders would have been held responsible for Christ’s death. During the council’s discussion concerning what they are going to do with these men, Gamaliel cautions them. If this is a work of men that they perform, then it will come to nothing (Acts 5:38). However, if this is from God, then you cannot destroy it (Acts 5:39).
And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
Paul warns us of the Church not to seek to destroy (render loose) the work of God for the sake of food in Romans 14:20. We are not to dispute over the mannerism in which each person determines to honor God. If we have faith, we are to have faith unto ourselves; we are to live out our faith to God, not men.
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is wrong for the man who eats with offense.
When our earthly tent is destroyed, we have a house built from God, not made of hands, but eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1)
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
As Paul is explaining to the saints in Galatia that his gospel did not originate from men but by revelation from Christ, he deals with false brethren from Jerusalem who have brought in a different gospel. Even the apostle Peter displayed this hypocrisy, fearing the Jews who came from James (Galatians 2:11–12). Since the Jews, who are now Christians, know that justification is not out from law, if they build again the things that were destroyed, they become transgressors (Galatians 2:18).
For if I build again those things which I destroyed (loosed down), I make myself a transgressor.
Although the English word “destroy” may express different degrees of destruction, καταλύω conveys loosing. When you are done with a day’s journey and lodge for the night, you have been fully released from that day’s traveling. Although more traveling may happen, even over the same road, the one you are released from will never occur again. Thus, when this concept of destroy is used, it expresses rendering loosed.
