Lexical Summary dietia: Two years Original Word: διετία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance two years. From dietes; a space of two years (biennium) -- two years. see GREEK dietes NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dietés Definition a space of two years NASB Translation two years (1), two...years (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1333: διετίαδιετία, διετίας, ἡ (from διετής, cf. τριετία, τετραετία), the space of two years: Acts 24:27; Acts 28:30. (Philo in Flacc. § 16; (Graecus Venutus, Genesis 41:1; Genesis 45:5).) Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term The expression translated “two years” appears twice in the New Testament and marks two distinct yet thematically connected seasons in the life of the Apostle Paul. Each occurrence signals a divinely appointed interval in which God advanced the gospel despite human opposition and bureaucratic delay. Biblical Occurrences 1. Acts 24:27 – “When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and, wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.” Historical Setting in Acts • Caesarea (Acts 24:27). Paul’s custody under Governor Felix dragged on for two years because the governor “was hoping that money would be given him by Paul” (Acts 24:26). Roman law required timely hearings, but political expediency overrode justice. The delay provided Paul repeated audiences with Felix and Drusilla and preserved him from plots in Jerusalem. Ministerial Significance of Paul’s Two-Year Periods 1. Expanded Witness. In Caesarea, Paul testified before Felix, Drusilla, Festus, King Agrippa, and high-ranking military officials (Acts 26:30). In Rome, he preached to “all who came,” including members of Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22). Divine Timing and Sovereignty Luke closes Acts with the two-year notice to show that the gospel reached the empire’s heart within a foreseeable, verifiable span. The Spirit orchestrated legal delays, travel hazards, and imperial procedures to place Paul precisely where his witness would echo throughout the Gentile world (Acts 23:11). Parallels in Scripture • Joseph spent “two full years” forgotten in prison before Pharaoh’s summons (Genesis 41:1), a providential pause that led to national deliverance. Such parallels underscore a biblical pattern: God often forges servants in seasons of waiting, then unveils His purposes at the appointed time. Practical Applications for the Church • Trust God’s Calendar. Delays that seem wasteful can become strategic platforms for testimony. Summary The two occurrences of this Greek term frame a four-year span that shaped apostolic history, produced cherished epistles, and demonstrated the unstoppable advance of the gospel. Waiting under man’s authority, Paul served under God’s greater timetable, encouraging every generation to do likewise. Forms and Transliterations διετιαν διετίαν Διετιας Διετίας διευλαβού dietian dietían Dietias DietíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 24:27 N-GFSGRK: Διετίας δὲ πληρωθείσης NAS: But after two years had passed, Felix KJV: But after two years Porcius Festus INT: two years moreover having been completed Acts 28:30 N-AFS Strong's Greek 1333 |
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