βραδύνω (bradunō)
bradunō
to delay
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb bradunō describes the act of delaying or being slow to act. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, yet its usage carries significant weight by addressing divine timing rather than mere human procrastination. The word conveys a sense of tarrying or lingering, suggesting that an expected event is taking longer than anticipated.
Its most prominent occurrence is in 2 Peter 3:9, where it explains why the Second Coming has not yet happened. Here, the text clarifies that God is not slow in keeping His promise, as some people suppose, but is instead patient. This usage reframes delay not as negligence, but as a deliberate withholding of judgment to allow space for repentance.
The other instance appears in 1 Timothy 3:15 within instructions on how to behave in God’s household. While the context differs from the eschatological focus of Peter, the core meaning remains consistent: a measured pace or reluctance to rush. Translators often render it as "slow" or "delay," capturing the tension between expectation and the reality of waiting.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we wait for God’s promises to unfold, it is natural to feel like time has stalled. The Greek word bradunō captures this feeling of delay, yet Scripture reframes it not as negligence, but as divine patience. In 2 Peter 3:9, the text assures us that what feels like slowness is actually God’s deliberate mercy, giving everyone space to turn back to Him.
This perspective brings comfort during seasons of uncertainty. Instead of viewing waiting as a sign of abandonment, we can see it as an invitation to trust in His perfect timing. The Lord’s patience is not indifference; it is a generous gift that prioritizes restoration over immediate judgment. This truth invites us to rest in the assurance that God is working even when we cannot see the full picture.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- does delay1×
- I shall delay,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βραδύνω,1×
- βραδύνει1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
This verse directly addresses the perception of divine delay, redefining God's slowness as active patience intended for human repentance.
-
I Timothy 3:15
but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Here the word describes a prolonged period of waiting to ensure believers understand how to conduct themselves within the church community.