Commandment
[ 1,,
G1297,
diatagma ]
signifies that which is imposed by decree or law,"
Hebrews 11:23. It stresses the concrete character of the "commandment" more than epitage (No. 4). Cp. COMMAND, No. 1. For the verb in
Hebrews 11:22 See No. 3 under COMMAND.
[ 2,,
G1785,
entole ]
akin to No. 3, above, denotes, in general, "an injunction, charge, precept, commandment." It is the most frequent term, and is used of moral and religious precepts, e.g.,
Matthew 5:19; it is frequent in the Gospels, especially that of John, and in his Epistles. See
also, e.g.,
Acts 17:15;
Romans 7:8-
Romans 7:13;
Romans 13:9;
1 Corinthians 7:19;
Ephesians 2:15;
Colossians 4:10. See
PRECEPT.
[ 3,,
G1778,
entalma ]
akin to No. 2, marks more especially "the thing commanded, a commission;" in
Matthew 15:9;
Mark 7:7;
Colossians 2:22, RV, "precepts," AV, "commandments." See
PRECEPT.
[ 4,,
G2003,
epitage ]
akin to No. 4, above, stresses "the authoritativeness of the command;" it is used in
Romans 16:26;
1 Corinthians 7:6,
1 Corinthians 7:25;
2 Corinthians 8:8;
1 Timothy 1:1;
Titus 1:3;
Titus 2:15. See
AUTHORITY.
Notes:
(1) For parangelia (cp. parangello, above), "a proclamation," See
CHARGE.
(2) In
Revelation 22:14 the RV, "wash their robes" (for AV, "do His commandments") follows the most authentic mss.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words