1293. diastolé

Lexical Summary

diastolé: Distinction, difference

Original Word: διαστολή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: diastolé
Pronunciation: dee-as-tol-AY
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-as-tol-ay')
KJV: difference, distinction
NASB: distinction
Word Origin: [from G1291 (διαστέλλομαι - gave orders)]

1. a variation

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

difference, distinction.

From diastellomai; a variation -- difference, distinction.

see GREEK diastellomai

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from diastelló
Definition
a separation, a difference
NASB Translation
distinction (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1293: διαστολή

διαστολή, διαστολῆς, ἡ (διαστέλλω, cf. ἀνατολή), a distinction, difference: Romans 3:22; Romans 10:12; of the difference of the sounds made by musical instruments, 1 Corinthians 14:7. ((Aristotle, Theophrastus), Polybius, Plutarch, others.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

The term διαστολή (diastolē) appears three times in the Greek New Testament and conveys the idea of a “distinction,” “difference,” or “separation.” In Romans 3:22 and Romans 10:12 it speaks of the removal of ethnic or religious barriers before God; in 1 Corinthians 14:7 it illustrates clarity in worship. Together these uses highlight both the unity Christ secures and the orderly diversity He ordains for His people.

Old Testament Background of Distinction

The concept of distinction permeates the Hebrew Scriptures. From the “separating” of light and darkness in Genesis 1 to the dietary and ceremonial separations in Leviticus, distinctions served pedagogical purposes—showing God’s holiness and Israel’s set-apart calling. Yet the prophets foresaw a day when Gentiles would be joined (Isaiah 49:6; Zechariah 2:11), hinting that earlier separations were preparatory, not permanent.

New Testament Usage

• Romans 3:22—“And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction.”
• Romans 10:12—“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. The same Lord is Lord of all, and He richly blesses all who call on Him.”
• 1 Corinthians 14:7—“Even in the case of lifeless instruments such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?”

Theological Significance

1. Salvation Equality: In Romans, diastolē underscores the universal reach of justification by faith. Any human-drawn boundary—ethnic, social, or religious—dissolves at the cross.
2. Lordship Universality: Romans 10:12 links “no distinction” to Christ’s universal lordship, stressing that blessing flows without favoritism.
3. Ordered Worship: Paul’s musical analogy in 1 Corinthians 14:7 shows that distinctions within sound produce intelligibility, reflecting the Spirit’s desire for edification rather than confusion in public assembly.

Christ’s Fulfillment of Earlier Distinctions

Jesus embodies and fulfills every prior separation:
• Priest and sacrifice converge in Him (Hebrews 9:11-14).
• Jew and Gentile are created “one new man” (Ephesians 2:14-16).
• Clean and unclean foods become morally indifferent (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:15).

Diastolē, therefore, becomes a witness to the gospel’s unifying power while safeguarding godly order.

Practical Ministry Implications

Unity: Congregations must welcome believers “from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue” without reservation, mirroring Romans 3 and 10.

Clarity: Preachers and worship leaders should model the “distinct notes” principle—speech, teaching, and music must be understandable and edifying.

Discipleship: While moral absolutes remain, cultural preferences should not erect new walls of separation.

Relation to Worship and Music

Paul’s appeal to musical distinction commends skill, preparation, and intelligibility. Just as discernible notes form a coherent melody, Spirit-directed worship requires articulate speech, doctrinal clarity, and thoughtful liturgy.

Unity in Diversity

Diastolē does not eliminate all differences; rather, it reorders them. Legitimate diversity of gifts, languages, and cultures adorns the body of Christ when subordinated to love and truth (1 Corinthians 12; Revelation 7:9). The church models a holy harmony where distinctions serve, not divide.

Historical Reception

Early Christian writers like Justin Martyr cited Romans 3:22 to argue that the gospel fulfills Judaism and invites the nations. The Reformers likewise emphasized “no distinction” to defend justification by faith alone against works-based hierarchies.

Summary

Strong’s 1293 spotlights both the breaking down of salvific barriers and the maintenance of godly order. In Christ there is “no distinction” regarding access to grace, yet the church must preserve clear “distinctions” in teaching and worship so that the message of the gospel resounds with unmistakable clarity.

Forms and Transliterations

διαστολη διαστολή διαστολὴ διαστολην διαστολήν διαστολὴν diastole diastolē diastolḗ diastolḕ diastolen diastolēn diastolḕn

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 3:22 N-NFS
GRK: γάρ ἐστιν διαστολή
NAS: for there is no distinction;
KJV: there is no difference:
INT: indeed there is distinction

Romans 10:12 N-NFS
GRK: γάρ ἐστιν διαστολὴ Ἰουδαίου τε
NAS: For there is no distinction between Jew
KJV: there is no difference between the Jew
INT: indeed there is a difference of Jew and

1 Corinthians 14:7 N-AFS
GRK: κιθάρα ἐὰν διαστολὴν τοῖς φθόγγοις
NAS: they do not produce a distinction in the tones,
KJV: they give a distinction in the sounds,
INT: harp if distinction to the sounds

Strong's Greek 1293
3 Occurrences

διαστολή — 2 Occ.
διαστολὴν — 1 Occ.