Lexical Summary chronos: Time Original Word: χρόνος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance time, seasonOf uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from kairos, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from aion, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay -- + years old, season, space, (X often-)time(-s), (a) while. see GREEK kairos see GREEK aion HELPS Word-studies 5550 xrónos – time (in general), especially viewed in sequence (a "succession of moments"); time in duration in the physical-space world, sovereignly apportioned by God to each person. 5550 /xrónos ("time in sequence, duration") especially expresses time quantitatively – in contrast to 2450 /Ioudaízō ("opportune time") which portrays time qualitatively ("time as opportunity"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition time NASB Translation age (1), all (1), delay (1), exact time (1), long (5), long ages (2), long* (1), period (2), time (30), times (5), while (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5550: χρόνοςχρόνος, χρόνου, ὁ, from Homer down, the Sept. for יום, עֵת, etc. time: Hebrews 11:32; Revelation 10:6; ὁ χρόνος τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος, the time since the star began to shine (cf. φαίνω, 2 a.), Matthew 2:7; (ὁ χρόνος τοῦ τεκεῖν αὐτήν (Genesis 25:24), Luke 1:57 (Buttmann, 267 (230); cf. Winer's Grammar, § 44, 4 a.)); τῆς ἐπαγγελίας, Acts 7:17; τῆς παροικίας, 1 Peter 1:17; χρονοι ἀποκαταστάσεως, Acts 3:21; οἱ χρονοι τῆς ἀγνοίας, Acts 17:30; χρόνου διαγενομένου, Acts 27:9; πόσος χρόνος ἐστιν, ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν, Mark 9:21; ὁ παρεληλυθώς χρόνος, 1 Peter 4:3 (where Rec. adds τοῦ βίου); τεσσαρακονταετής, Acts 7:23; Acts 13:18; στιγμή χρόνου, Luke 4:5; πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, Galatians 4:4; ποιεῖν ((which see, II. d.) to spend) χρόνον, Acts 15:33; Acts 18:23; βιῶσαι τόν ἐπίλοιπον χρόνον, 1 Peter 4:2; διδόναι χρόνον τίνι (i. e. a space of time, respite), ἵνα etc. Revelation 2:21 ((Josephus, b. j. 4, 3, 10)); plural joined with καιροί, Acts 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:1 (see καιρός, 2 e., p. 319a); ἐπ' ἐσχάτων (L T Tr WH ἐσχάτου) τῶν χρόνων (see ἔσχατος, 1 at the end), 1 Peter 1:20; (add, ἐπ' ἐσχάτου τοῦ (Tr WH omit τοῦ) χρόνου, Jude 1:18 L T Tr WH). with prepositions: ἄχρι, Acts 3:21; διά τόν χρόνον, on account of the length of time, Hebrews 5:12 (Polybius 2, 21, 2; Alciphron 1, 26, 9); ἐκ χρόνων ἱκανῶν, for a long time, Luke 8:27 (R G L Tr marginal reading (see below)); ἐν χρόνῳ, Acts 1:6, 21; ἐν ἐσχάτῳ χρόνῳ, Jude 1:18 Rec.; ἐπί χρόνον (A. V. for a while), Luke 18:4; ἐπί πλείονα χρόνον (A. V. a longer time), Acts 18:20; ἐφ' ὅσον χρόνον for so long time as, so long as, Romans 7:1; 1 Corinthians 7:39; Galatians 4:1; κατά τόν χρόνον, according to (the relations of) the time, Matthew 2:16; μετά πολύν χρόνον, Matthew 25:19; μετά τοσοῦτον χρόνον Hebrews 4:7; πρό χρόνων αἰωνίων (R. V. before times eternal), 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2. the dative is used to express the time during which something occurs (dative of duration of time, cf. Winers Grammar, § 31, 9; (Buttmann, § 133, 26)): (χρόνῳ ἱκανῷ, for a long time, Luke 8:27 T Tr text WH); ἱκανῷ χρόνῳ, Acts 8:11; (τοσούτῳ χρόνῳ, John 14:9 L T Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading); πολλοῖς χρόνοις (R. V. marginal reading of a long time (A. V. oftentimes); cf. πολύς, c.), Luke 8:29; αἰωνίοις (R. V. through times eternal), Romans 16:25. the accusative is used in answer to the question how long: χρόνον, for a while, Acts 19:22. Revelation 6:11 (where in R L T Tr WH μικρόν is added); also χρόνον τινα (A. V. a while), 1 Corinthians 16:7; ὅσον χρόνον (A. V. while), Mark 2:19; χρόνους ἱκανούς, for a long time, Luke 20:9; μικρόν χρόνον, John 7:33; John 12:35; Revelation 20:3; πολύν χρόνον John 5:6; τοσοῦτον χρόνον, John 14:9 (R G Tr text WH text); ἱκανόν (A. V. long time), Acts 14:3; οὐκ ὀλίγον (R. V. no little time), Acts 14:28; τόν πάντα χρόνον, Acts 20:18. (On the ellipsis of χρόνος in such phrases as ἀφ' οὗ, ἐν τῷ ἑξῆς (Luke 7:11 L marginal reading Tr text WH text), ἐν τῷ καθεξῆς (Luke 8:1), ἐξ ἱκανοῦ, etc., see ἀπό, I. 4 b., p. 58b top, ἑξῆς, καθεξῆς, ἐκ IV. 1, etc. Synonym: see καιρός, at the end; cf. αἰών, at the end.) Topical Lexicon Semantic Scope and Distinctives Chronos denotes measurable duration: minutes, years, ages, or the whole course of salvation history. It contrasts with kairos, the critical “moment,” yet the two overlap as the sovereign Lord rules both the linear flow and the decisive points within it. Time in Salvation History Chronos frames Scripture’s redemptive storyline. Peter writes that Christ “was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake” (1 Peter 1:20). Paul echoes this cosmic horizon: the gospel “has now been revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures by the command of the eternal God, to lead all the nations to obedience of faith” (Romans 16:25-26). Thus chronos stretches from eternal purpose to earthly consummation. The Incarnation and Fulness of Time “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son” (Galatians 4:4). Here chronos marks the divine timetable that governed the advent of Jesus. The Lord ministered within that allotted span: “For a little while longer I am with you, and then I am going to Him who sent Me” (John 7:33). Discipleship therefore requires discerning His appointed season and responding while opportunity remains (John 12:35). Christ’s Earthly Ministry Chronos highlights Jesus’ patient engagement: the paralytic had suffered “a long time” (John 5:6); the possessed man of the Gerasenes had been bound “for a long time” (Luke 8:27). These passages show Messiah entering long-standing human misery and overcoming it in His perfect hour. Apostolic Witness and Church Life Luke records chronos to describe ministry duration and preparation. The apostles sought a replacement for Judas “during the time that the Lord Jesus lived among us” (Acts 1:21). Paul and Barnabas “stayed there a considerable time, speaking boldly for the Lord” (Acts 14:3), underscoring that mission often requires extended presence. Likewise, elders dismissed Paul “after some time” (Acts 15:33), reflecting orderly transitions within kingdom work. Pastoral Exhortations Believers must steward their lifetime wisely. Peter urges living “the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human passions, but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2). Husbands and wives are reminded that marriage binds “as long as her husband lives” (1 Corinthians 7:39). The writer to the Hebrews rebukes dullness: “By this time you ought to be teachers” (Hebrews 5:12). Chronos is a trust that demands growth and obedience. Eschatological Perspective Queries about the kingdom pivot on chronos. “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus redirects: “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts 1:7). Revelation climaxes with measured intervals: the martyrs must “rest a little longer” (Revelation 6:11); Satan is released “for a short time” (Revelation 20:3). God’s chronology governs final judgment and reward. Divine Forbearance Acts 17:30 speaks of previous “times of ignorance” which God overlooked, now calling all to repentance. The era preceding the cross reveals mercy, while the present shows urgency: the appointed day is set. Chronos and Human Limitation Life within chronos is finite. Herod “waited to see Jesus for some time” (Luke 23:8) yet squandered the opportunity. The unjust judge “refused for some time” (Luke 18:4), illustrating sinful procrastination. Scripture warns that delay can harden the heart and forfeit blessing. Practical Application 1. Recognize God’s sovereignty over every span—from centuries to seconds. Doctrinal Implications Chronos underlines divine providence, progressive revelation, and consummate fulfillment. The same Lord who fixed ages past has appointed the hour when “time shall be no more” (Revelation 10:6). Therefore faith rests secure: history is neither random nor cyclical but marches toward the promised new heaven and new earth. Forms and Transliterations χρονοις χρόνοις χρονον χρόνον χρονος χρόνος χρονου χρόνου χρονους χρόνους χρονω χρόνω χρόνῳ χρονων χρόνων chrono chronō chrónoi chrónōi chronois chrónois chronon chronōn chrónon chrónōn chronos chrónos chronou chrónou chronous chrónousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 2:7 N-AMSGRK: αὐτῶν τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου NAS: and determined from them the exact time the star KJV: diligently what time the star INT: them the time of the appearing Matthew 2:16 N-AMS Matthew 25:19 N-AMS Mark 2:19 N-AMS Mark 9:21 N-NMS Luke 1:57 N-NMS Luke 4:5 N-GMS Luke 8:27 N-DMS Luke 8:29 N-DMP Luke 18:4 N-AMS Luke 20:9 N-AMP Luke 23:8 N-GMP John 5:6 N-AMS John 7:33 N-AMS John 12:35 N-AMS John 14:9 N-AMS Acts 1:6 N-DMS Acts 1:7 N-AMP Acts 1:21 N-DMS Acts 3:21 N-GMP Acts 7:17 N-NMS Acts 7:23 N-NMS Acts 8:11 N-DMS Acts 13:18 N-AMS Acts 14:3 N-AMS Strong's Greek 5550 |
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