Lexical Summary trietia: Three years Original Word: τριετία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance three years. From a compound of treis and etos; a three years' period (triennium) -- space of three years. see GREEK treis see GREEK etos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom treis and etos Definition a period of three years NASB Translation period of three years (1), three years (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5148: τριετίατριετία, τριετιας, ἡ (τρεῖς and ἔτος), a space of three years: Acts 20:31. (Theophrastus, Plutarch, Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 4, 1; others.) Topical Lexicon Term Overview A single New Testament occurrence highlights a defined span of three full years, stressing duration, perseverance, and pastoral vigilance rather than a mere chronological note. Context in Acts Acts 20:31 captures Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders: “Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears”. The term underscores the sustained, sacrificial nature of Paul’s Ephesian ministry—unceasing admonition, personal engagement, and emotional investment. Ministry Patterns Reflected 1. Consistent Teaching. Paul’s three-year stay models systematic instruction, echoing “line upon line” formation (compare Isaiah 28:10). Historical Insights Ephesus, a strategic port city, faced spiritual warfare rooted in magic arts (Acts 19:19). Three years allowed the gospel to penetrate cultural strongholds, produce public repentance, and spread regionally (Acts 19:10). Luke’s precision about time signals an eyewitness chronology, corroborated by archaeological and literary data that place Paul in Asia Minor circa AD 52-55. Old Testament Echoes of Three-Year Periods • Trial and Famine: 2 Samuel 21:1—divine discipline over three years cultivated national humility. These patterns frame three years as a biblically significant interval for testing, maturation, and prophetic witness, enriching Paul’s usage. Theological Emphasis Perseverance in ministry mirrors Christ’s approximate three-year earthly mission, culminating in sacrificial love (John 13:1). Paul’s example aligns shepherds with the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4), calling for sustained oversight until believers reach “unity in the faith” (Ephesians 4:13). Practical Application for Today • Churches: Prioritize multi-year discipleship tracks rather than sporadic programming. Summary Strong’s 5148, though appearing once, captures a critical principle: meaningful ministry demands time-saturated commitment. The three-year span in Acts validates deliberate, persistent shepherding that forms resilient disciples and honors the redemptive timeline reflected throughout Scripture. Forms and Transliterations τριετιαν τριετίαν τριετίζοντα τριετίζοντι τριετίζουσαν trietian trietíanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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