παρατείνω (parateinō)
parateinō
to prolong
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb parateinō means to stretch out or prolong something in time or space. Its core idea comes from combining para ("beside" or "along") with teinō ("to stretch"), creating an image of extending a line further than it naturally ended. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Acts 20:7.
There, Luke uses it to describe how Paul extended his speech late into the night. The context shows that the gathering continued past midnight, with Paul speaking until dawn. This usage highlights the word’s sense of deliberate continuation rather than simple duration. It captures the effort of stretching a moment or event beyond its usual bounds.
Translators typically render it as "prolonged" or "continued," reflecting this sense of intentional extension. The single occurrence in Acts underscores how rare this specific term is, yet its meaning remains clear: to stretch out what might otherwise have been brief.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we gather with other believers, time often takes on a different quality. In Acts 20:7, Paul stayed late into the night to speak with the church in Troas. He did not rush his message simply because he had to leave the next morning. Instead, he stretched out the moment, ensuring that those who needed to hear it received it fully. This deliberate extension shows how much value was placed on shared understanding and spiritual connection.
Your own gatherings may not always last until midnight, but the principle remains. Prioritizing time with others is an act of love. It signals that their growth and encouragement matter more than your schedule or comfort. When you choose to linger in conversation or prayer, you create space for grace to work in ways that brief interactions cannot.
This word reminds us that depth often requires extra effort. We are not bound by strict clocks when it comes to building up the body of Christ. Sometimes the most important part of a meeting happens after the planned agenda ends. Let this encourage you to be generous with your time, knowing that extended moments can lead to lasting fruit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he was continuing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρέτεινέν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day; and continued his speech until midnight.
This verse shows the word describing Paul's intentional decision to extend his teaching past midnight to ensure the believers received full instruction before his departure.