Lexical Summary tachinos: Swift, quick, speedy Original Word: ταχινός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shortly, swift. From tachos; curt, i.e. Impending -- shortly, swift. see GREEK tachos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originlate form of tachus Definition swift NASB Translation imminent (1), swift (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5031: ταχινόςταχινός, ταχινή, ταχινόν, from Theocritus down, swift, quick: of events soon to come or just impending, 2 Peter 1:14; 2 Peter 2:1 (Isaiah 59:7; Wis. 13:2; Sir. 18:26). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 5031 names the quality of nearness in time—an occurrence that is not merely “fast” but pressing upon the present moment. Scripture employs the adjective to underline events that cannot be postponed and that demand decisive response. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. 2 Peter 1:14 – Peter anticipates his death: “because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me”. Exegetical Insights • The word modifies concrete nouns (“destruction”) and metaphorical ones (“tent,” a figure for the body), stressing certainty and proximity rather than mere velocity. Theological Significance Imminence underscores moral seriousness. Life’s brevity (1:14) and judgment’s nearness (2:1) motivate believers to pursue holiness and guard doctrine. The adjective therefore serves both pastoral comfort (Peter’s confident departure to be with Christ) and pastoral warning (destruction awaiting deceivers). Historical Usage and Early Church Interpretation Early Christian writers cited 2 Peter to exhort readiness for martyrdom and vigilance against doctrinal corruption. For instance, Clement of Alexandria referenced Peter’s “swift exodus” as evidence of Christ’s faithfulness to His promises, while Tertullian appealed to the “swift destruction” of falsehood to encourage separation from heretical groups. Eschatological Implications Though 5031 does not appear in Revelation, its semantic field aligns with Revelation’s τάχος (“quickly,” 22:7), reinforcing the apostolic theme that divine intervention—whether personal (death) or corporate (judgment)—stands close at hand. Peter’s teaching balances apparent delay (2 Peter 3:9) with assured suddenness when the appointed moment arrives. Application in Christian Life and Ministry • Personal readiness: Believers, like Peter, are to keep short accounts with God, mindful that departure from the body can be “swift.” Related Biblical Themes Imminence of Christ’s return (James 5:8), brevity of life (Psalm 39:5), and immediacy of divine judgment (Acts 5:5) provide a wider canonical backdrop in which 5031 accentuates the certainty that God’s decisive acts arrive without delay once His purpose is ripe. Forms and Transliterations ταχινη ταχινή ταχινην ταχινήν ταχινὴν ταχινοί ταχινόν tachine tachinē tachinḗ tachinen tachinēn tachinḕnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Peter 1:14 Adj-NFSGRK: εἰδὼς ὅτι ταχινή ἐστιν ἡ NAS: of my [earthly] dwelling is imminent, as also KJV: Knowing that shortly I must put off INT: knowing that speedily is the 2 Peter 2:1 Adj-AFS Strong's Greek 5031 |
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