Lexical Summary diateleó: To continue, to persist, to accomplish thoroughly Original Word: διατελέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance continue. From dia and teleo; to accomplish thoroughly, i.e. (subjectively) to persist -- continue. see GREEK dia see GREEK teleo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dia and teleó Definition to accomplish thoroughly, i.e. to persist NASB Translation constantly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1300: διατελέωδιατελέω, διατέλω; to bring thoroughly to an end, accomplish, (cf. διά, C. 2); with the addition of τόν βίον, τόν χρόνον, etc., it is joined to participles or adjectives and denotes the continuousness of the act or state expressed by the prcp. or adjective (as in Herodotus 6, 117; 7, 111; Plato, Apology, p. 31 a.); oftener, however, without the accusative it is joined with the same force simply to the participles or adjectives: thus, ἄσιτοι διατελεῖτε, ye continue fasting, constantly fast, Acts 27:33 (so ἀσφαλεστερος (others, ἀσφαλεστατος) διατελει, Thucydides 1, 34; often in Xenophon; Winers Grammar, 348 (326); (Buttmann, 304 (261))). Topical Lexicon Biblical Usage Strong’s Greek 1300 appears a single time in the New Testament, Acts 27:33. Luke records, “Today is the fourteenth day; you have continued in suspense and gone without food—you have not eaten anything” (Acts 27:33). The verb describes the prolonged condition of the sailors and passengers who, gripped by fear during a relentless storm, had persisted in a fast—whether by choice or by sheer inability to eat. Historical Background Acts 27 narrates the final leg of Paul’s journey to Rome, a voyage beset by hurricane-force winds on the Mediterranean. Ancient mariners were deeply religious, often turning to fasting or vows in crisis (cf. Jonah 1:5). Luke’s lone use of this Greek term highlights not only the length of the ordeal—fourteen nights of darkness—but also the cultural habit of fasting until divine favor seemed assured. Paul’s intervention, urging the company to eat, stands in contrast to fatalistic superstition; he rests on a prior revelation that all would be spared (Acts 27:22-25). Significance in the Acts Narrative 1. Authenticity of Eyewitness Detail: Luke’s precise medical Greek lends credibility to the historical account. Theological Themes • Perseverance under Trial: The verb mirrors wider scriptural calls to steadfastness—“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Intertextual Connections • Prolonged Waiting: Israel “continued” forty years in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2) that faith might mature. Pastoral and Devotional Insights 1. Trials often last longer than expected; Scripture acknowledges the weight of such endurance. Ministry Application • Encourage congregations facing extended hardship to balance spiritual disciplines with physical health. Conclusion Though occurring only once, Strong’s Greek 1300 richly illustrates the tension between human endurance and divine intervention. In the storm narrative, prolonged fasting meets providential promise, and Paul’s counsel transforms mere survival into a testimony of God’s sustaining grace. Forms and Transliterations διατελειτε διατελείτε διατελεῖτε διετάκη διετελείτε διετέλεσα διετέλεσαν diateleite diateleîteLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |