τήρησις

a prison, observance

Definition

The noun τήρησις (tērēsis) carries two primary meanings in the New Testament: physical custody and faithful observance. In its first sense, it refers to a place of imprisonment or custody, as seen when the apostles are put 'in custody' (Acts 4:3) or 'in the public prison' (Acts 5:18). In its second sense, it denotes the act of keeping, guarding, or observing commands, as in 1 Corinthians 7:19, where 'keeping the commandments of God' is paramount. Thus, the word bridges the concrete idea of confinement with the abstract idea of obedient adherence.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only three times, in two distinct contexts. In the Book of Acts (4:3, 5:18), it describes the physical imprisonment of the apostles by religious and civil authorities, highlighting the persecution faced by the early church. In 1 Corinthians 7:19, Paul uses it in a spiritual and ethical context, arguing that 'keeping (tērēsis) God's commands' is what truly matters, not external religious status. The pattern shows a shift from a literal, external confinement to a metaphorical, internal commitment to obedience.

Etymology

Derived from the verb τηρέω (tēreō, G5083), meaning 'to keep, guard, or observe.' The noun form τήρησις concretizes the action or result of this keeping. It is related to words like φυλακή (phylakē, G5438), which also means 'guard' or 'prison,' but τήρησις can extend more readily to the observance of instructions.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects the experience of persecution with the call to faithful obedience. The apostles' 'custody' (Acts) resulted from their commitment to the very 'observance' of God's commands (1 Corinthians) that Paul later emphasizes. It underscores that true Christian faithfulness, which may lead to external confinement, is ultimately about an internal commitment to God's will. Understanding this dual meaning enriches reading by showing how physical hardship and spiritual devotion are intertwined in the biblical narrative.

In the Greco-Roman world, imprisonment (τήρησις) was often a holding place before trial or punishment, not necessarily a long-term sentence. This context illuminates the Acts passages, where the apostles are detained briefly by authorities. The concept of 'observance' was deeply rooted in Jewish thought regarding the Law (Torah). Paul's use in 1 Corinthians re-centers this observance on God's commands through Christ, a significant shift for both Jewish and Gentile believers.

φυλακή (phylakē, G5438) — More commonly denotes a prison or place of guarding; less focused on the act of observance. παρατήρησις (paratērēsis, G3907) — Often implies close or scrupulous observation, sometimes with a negative connotation of spying.

Word Details

Scripture References