προτείνω (proteinō)
proteinō
to stretch out
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb proteinō literally means to stretch out or extend forward. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 22:25, where Paul describes a specific moment of tension before his trial. The context reveals a specialized usage: when soldiers stretched a person out on thongs or tied them to a beam, they were preparing for scourging.
This single occurrence highlights the word’s visceral connection to physical preparation for punishment. It is not a general term for extending an arm in greeting, but rather a technical description of securing someone for flogging. The image evokes the vulnerability and helplessness of the accused, whose body was extended and fixed to receive blows.
Translators typically render this as "stretched out" or "tied up," capturing both the physical act and its grim purpose. By using this precise term, the text underscores the legal and violent reality Paul faced, contrasting his Roman citizenship with the brutal treatment he was about to endure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word proteinō describes a physical stretching out, often in preparation for pain. In Acts 22:25, Paul uses this term when soldiers prepare to scourge him. It is not a gentle extension but a binding for punishment. This image reminds us that our faith sometimes involves real vulnerability and the risk of suffering.
Yet even in such moments, truth and identity remain secure. Paul did not hide his Roman citizenship; he stood firm in who he was. We too can find strength in knowing that God sees our struggles and holds us close. Your worth is not defined by how others treat you, but by the One who loves you.
This word invites reflection on justice and dignity. It shows that even when wronged, we can respond with clarity and courage. May you feel supported in times of trial, knowing that your story matters to God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they stretched forward1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προέτειναν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 22:25
When they had tied him up with straps, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?”
This verse shows proteinō used specifically for binding someone for scourging, highlighting the physical vulnerability Paul faced before asserting his rights.