χρονίζω

I delay, tarry

Definition

The verb χρονίζω means to delay, tarry, or spend time. It often carries a sense of taking longer than expected or anticipated, implying a period of waiting. In the parables of Jesus, it describes the delayed return of a master (Matthew 24:48, 25:5) or a householder (Luke 12:45), creating a context of expectation. In Luke 1:21, it refers to the people waiting for Zechariah as he tarried in the temple. In Hebrews 10:37, the sense is eschatological, quoting from the Septuagint (Habakkuk 2:3) to assure believers that the coming one 'will not delay.'

Biblical Usage

This word is used five times in the New Testament, primarily in Jesus's parables about watchfulness and the delay of his return (Matthew 24:48, 25:5; Luke 12:45). It also appears in a narrative context describing Zechariah's delay in the temple (Luke 1:21) and in a prophetic quotation about the faithfulness of God's promise (Hebrews 10:37). The usage consistently involves a temporal gap that tests patience or faith.

Etymology

Derived from the noun χρόνος (chronos, G5550), meaning 'time.' The verb form χρονίζω literally means 'to spend time' or 'to be time-consuming,' from which the sense of 'to delay' naturally develops. It is a straightforward formation indicating an action related to the passage of time.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant in eschatology, directly relating to the doctrine of Christ's Second Coming. Its use in the parables of Matthew and Luke highlights the theme of faithful waiting during a period of perceived delay. In Hebrews 10:37, it reassures believers of God's faithfulness to His timing, enriching the reading by emphasizing that divine delay is not abandonment but part of God's sovereign plan, calling for patient endurance.

In a culture without instant communication, a master's or messenger's delay could create significant anxiety and uncertainty for those waiting. The word taps into a common human experience of anticipation and the testing of patience when expected events are postponed, making the parables' warnings about preparedness immediately relatable to the original audience.

μένω (menō, G3306) — to remain or abide, often with a more neutral or positive connotation of dwelling, not necessarily implying an unwanted delay. βραδύνω (bradynō, G1019) — to be slow or sluggish, sometimes used metaphorically for spiritual slowness (2 Peter 3:9).

Word Details

Scripture References