frankDH
04-17-2007, 02:31 PM
I have attempted to study the meaning of this verse using every avenue of investigation I could conceive of. The following research provides the results of this study.
Context,
Throughout the passage addressing the church of Philadelphia, the word kept/keep appears3 times [once in Rev 3:8 and twice in Rev 3:10]. Kept, as used in rev 3:8, is linked to possessing strength in the Lord and not denying His name. The thought here is that through faithful observation of biblical instruction one will have strength in the Lord and not deny Christ’s name.
We find a similar example of remaining faithful to God’s Word, in Rev 3:10, by having “kept the word of my patience”. Again, the connotation is a patient observation of God’s instruction leading to endurance [strength unto fidelity] in His word.
In the greater context of the full counsel of God we find the reward from God is reciprocal in nature.
Luk 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
Luk 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
And we find in Rev 3:10 this reciprocation on the part of God is maintained, in that those who have watched in their walk will be watch over as they walk.
This reciprocal reaction of God is further confirmed in His promise “ and I will write upon him my new name. “ for those who overcome [keep the word of His patience], in Rev 3:12.
Definition,
G5083
τηρέω
tēreō
tay-reh'-o
From τηρός teros (a watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), that is, to note (a prophecy; figuratively to fulfil a command); by implication to detain (in custody; figuratively to maintain); by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried): - hold fast, keep (-er), (ob-, pre-, re) serve, watch.
G5083
τηρέω
tēreō
Thayer Definition:
1) to attend to carefully, take care of
1a) to guard
1b) metaphorically to keep, one in the state in which he is
1c) to observe
1d) to reserve: to undergo something
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from teros (a watch, perhaps akin to G2334)
Citing in TDNT: 8:140, 1174
The definition of tereo [Strong’s G5083] indicates a guarding or preservation of the believer. I am particularly stuck by Strong’s explanation “by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried): “. This is in keeping with the notion of remaining chaste until united with the one to whom we have been espoused. [2Cor 11:2]
2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Or as Thayer’s states this, “to keep, one in the state in which he is”. In other words, the definition suggests that we are kept by God’s maintaining our faith as we face the temptations of life. [See notes on prior usage - Jn 17:15].
Tense, voice and mood of the verbs
The following information was taken from the Blue Letter Bible site
[ http://www.blueletterbible.org/ ]
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept [aorist, active, indicative] the word of my patience, I also will keep [future, active, indicative] thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come [present, active, participle] [present, middle or passive deponent, infinitive] upon all the world, to try [aorist, active, infinitive] them that dwell [present, active, participle] upon the earth.
Explanation of verb tense:
Aorist -The aorist tense is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar
action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without
regard for past, present, or future time. There is no
direct or clear English equivalent for this tense, though it is
generally rendered as a simple past tense in most translations.
The events described by the aorist tense are classified into a
number of categories by grammarians. The most common of these
include a view of the action as having begun from a certain
point ("inceptive aorist"), or having ended at a certain point
("cumulative aorist"), or merely existing at a certain point
("punctiliar aorist"). The categorization of other cases can
be found in Greek reference grammars.
The English reader need not concern himself with most of these
finer points concerning the aorist tense, since in most cases
they cannot be rendered accurately in English translation,
being fine points of Greek exegesis only. The common practice
of rendering an aorist by a simple English past tense should
suffice in most cases.
Future - The future tense corresponds to the English future, and
indicates the contemplated or certain occurrence of an event
which has not yet occurred.
Present - The present tense represents a simple statement of fact
or reality viewed as occurring in actual time. In most cases
this corresponds directly with the English present tense.
Some phrases which might be rendered as past tense in English
will often occur in the present tense in Greek. These are
termed "historical presents," and such occurrences dramatize
the event described as if the reader were there watching the
event occur. Some English translations render such historical
presents in the English past tense, while others permit the
tense to remain in the present.
Explanation of verb voice:
Active - The active voice represents the subject as the doer or
performer of the action. e.g., in the sentence, "The
boy hit the ball," the boy performs the action.
Middle or passive deponent - The middle or passive deponent forms in almost all cases are
translated as being in the active voice.
Explanation of verb mood:
Indicative - The indicative mood is a simple statement of fact. If an
action really occurs or has occurred or will occur, it will be
rendered in the indicative mood.
Participle - The Greek participle corresponds for the most part to the
English participle, reflecting "-ing" or "-ed" being suffixed
to the basic verb form. The participle can be used either
like a verb or a noun, as in English, and thus is often termed
a "verbal noun."
Infinitive - The Greek infinitive mood in most cases corresponds to the
English infinitive, which is basically the verb with "to"
prefixed, as "to believe."
Like the English infinitive, the Greek infinitive can be used
like a noun phrase ("It is better to live than to die"), as
well as to reflect purpose or result ("This was done to
fulfil what the prophet said").
Note that the “hour of temptation” that shall come is expressed in the present tense, while the keeping will continue due to future tense. This indicates there is no difference between the keeping during this test of temptation, in the future, and the way we are kept in the present. [See notes on prior usage -Jn 17:15]
Prior usage of the union of tereo [keep] and ek [from]
Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Jn 17:15 is the only place in the New Testament where tereo and ek are combined in the same manner as Rev 3:10. Prior usage of this combination would suggest that there is a figurative spatial difference between our physical presence in temptation and our spiritual position in Christ.
Greek grammar
VINE’S WORD STUDY
A1. Keep, Keeping (Noun) [Verb]
tereo denotes
(a) "to watch over, preserve, keep, watch," e.g., Acts_12:5,6; Acts_16:23; in Acts_25:21, RV (1st part), "kept" (AV, "reserved"); the present participle is translated "keepers" in Matt_28:4, lit. "the keeping (ones);" it is used of the "keeping" power of God the Father and Christ, exercised over His people, John_17:11,12,15; 1_Thess_5:23, "preserved;" 1_John_5:18, where "He that was begotten of God," RV, is said of Christ as the Keeper ("keepeth him," RV, for AV, "keepeth himself"); Jude_1:1, RV, "kept for Jesus Christ" (AV, "preserved in Jesus Christ"); Rev_3:10; of their inheritance, 1_Pet_1:4 ("reserved"); of judicial reservation by God in view of future doom, 2_Pet_2:4,9,17; 2_Pet_3:7; Jude_1:6,13; of "keeping" the faith, 2_Tim_4:7; the unity of the Spirit, Eph_4:3; oneself, 2_Cor_11:9; 1_Tim_5:22; James_1:27; figuratively, one's garments, Rev_16:15;
(b) "to observe, to give heed to," as of keeping commandments, etc., e.g., Matt_19:17; John_14:15; John_15:10; John_17:6; James_2:10; 1_John_2:3,4,5; 1_John_3:22,24; 1_John_5:2 (in some mss.), 1_John_5:3; Rev_1:3; Rev_2:26; Rev_3:8,10; Rev_12:17; Rev_14:12; Rev_22:7,9. See RESERVE.
VINCENT’S WORD STUDY
From the hour (ἐκ)
The preposition implies, not a keeping from temptation, but a keeping in temptation, as the result of which they shall be delivered out of its power. Compare Joh_17:15.
Both of these students of Greek grammar indicate the keeping from temptation is the preservation of the believer while in the presence of temptation as opposed to being removed from the temptation itself.
Context,
Throughout the passage addressing the church of Philadelphia, the word kept/keep appears3 times [once in Rev 3:8 and twice in Rev 3:10]. Kept, as used in rev 3:8, is linked to possessing strength in the Lord and not denying His name. The thought here is that through faithful observation of biblical instruction one will have strength in the Lord and not deny Christ’s name.
We find a similar example of remaining faithful to God’s Word, in Rev 3:10, by having “kept the word of my patience”. Again, the connotation is a patient observation of God’s instruction leading to endurance [strength unto fidelity] in His word.
In the greater context of the full counsel of God we find the reward from God is reciprocal in nature.
Luk 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
Luk 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
And we find in Rev 3:10 this reciprocation on the part of God is maintained, in that those who have watched in their walk will be watch over as they walk.
This reciprocal reaction of God is further confirmed in His promise “ and I will write upon him my new name. “ for those who overcome [keep the word of His patience], in Rev 3:12.
Definition,
G5083
τηρέω
tēreō
tay-reh'-o
From τηρός teros (a watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), that is, to note (a prophecy; figuratively to fulfil a command); by implication to detain (in custody; figuratively to maintain); by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried): - hold fast, keep (-er), (ob-, pre-, re) serve, watch.
G5083
τηρέω
tēreō
Thayer Definition:
1) to attend to carefully, take care of
1a) to guard
1b) metaphorically to keep, one in the state in which he is
1c) to observe
1d) to reserve: to undergo something
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from teros (a watch, perhaps akin to G2334)
Citing in TDNT: 8:140, 1174
The definition of tereo [Strong’s G5083] indicates a guarding or preservation of the believer. I am particularly stuck by Strong’s explanation “by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried): “. This is in keeping with the notion of remaining chaste until united with the one to whom we have been espoused. [2Cor 11:2]
2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Or as Thayer’s states this, “to keep, one in the state in which he is”. In other words, the definition suggests that we are kept by God’s maintaining our faith as we face the temptations of life. [See notes on prior usage - Jn 17:15].
Tense, voice and mood of the verbs
The following information was taken from the Blue Letter Bible site
[ http://www.blueletterbible.org/ ]
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept [aorist, active, indicative] the word of my patience, I also will keep [future, active, indicative] thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come [present, active, participle] [present, middle or passive deponent, infinitive] upon all the world, to try [aorist, active, infinitive] them that dwell [present, active, participle] upon the earth.
Explanation of verb tense:
Aorist -The aorist tense is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar
action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without
regard for past, present, or future time. There is no
direct or clear English equivalent for this tense, though it is
generally rendered as a simple past tense in most translations.
The events described by the aorist tense are classified into a
number of categories by grammarians. The most common of these
include a view of the action as having begun from a certain
point ("inceptive aorist"), or having ended at a certain point
("cumulative aorist"), or merely existing at a certain point
("punctiliar aorist"). The categorization of other cases can
be found in Greek reference grammars.
The English reader need not concern himself with most of these
finer points concerning the aorist tense, since in most cases
they cannot be rendered accurately in English translation,
being fine points of Greek exegesis only. The common practice
of rendering an aorist by a simple English past tense should
suffice in most cases.
Future - The future tense corresponds to the English future, and
indicates the contemplated or certain occurrence of an event
which has not yet occurred.
Present - The present tense represents a simple statement of fact
or reality viewed as occurring in actual time. In most cases
this corresponds directly with the English present tense.
Some phrases which might be rendered as past tense in English
will often occur in the present tense in Greek. These are
termed "historical presents," and such occurrences dramatize
the event described as if the reader were there watching the
event occur. Some English translations render such historical
presents in the English past tense, while others permit the
tense to remain in the present.
Explanation of verb voice:
Active - The active voice represents the subject as the doer or
performer of the action. e.g., in the sentence, "The
boy hit the ball," the boy performs the action.
Middle or passive deponent - The middle or passive deponent forms in almost all cases are
translated as being in the active voice.
Explanation of verb mood:
Indicative - The indicative mood is a simple statement of fact. If an
action really occurs or has occurred or will occur, it will be
rendered in the indicative mood.
Participle - The Greek participle corresponds for the most part to the
English participle, reflecting "-ing" or "-ed" being suffixed
to the basic verb form. The participle can be used either
like a verb or a noun, as in English, and thus is often termed
a "verbal noun."
Infinitive - The Greek infinitive mood in most cases corresponds to the
English infinitive, which is basically the verb with "to"
prefixed, as "to believe."
Like the English infinitive, the Greek infinitive can be used
like a noun phrase ("It is better to live than to die"), as
well as to reflect purpose or result ("This was done to
fulfil what the prophet said").
Note that the “hour of temptation” that shall come is expressed in the present tense, while the keeping will continue due to future tense. This indicates there is no difference between the keeping during this test of temptation, in the future, and the way we are kept in the present. [See notes on prior usage -Jn 17:15]
Prior usage of the union of tereo [keep] and ek [from]
Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Jn 17:15 is the only place in the New Testament where tereo and ek are combined in the same manner as Rev 3:10. Prior usage of this combination would suggest that there is a figurative spatial difference between our physical presence in temptation and our spiritual position in Christ.
Greek grammar
VINE’S WORD STUDY
A1. Keep, Keeping (Noun) [Verb]
tereo denotes
(a) "to watch over, preserve, keep, watch," e.g., Acts_12:5,6; Acts_16:23; in Acts_25:21, RV (1st part), "kept" (AV, "reserved"); the present participle is translated "keepers" in Matt_28:4, lit. "the keeping (ones);" it is used of the "keeping" power of God the Father and Christ, exercised over His people, John_17:11,12,15; 1_Thess_5:23, "preserved;" 1_John_5:18, where "He that was begotten of God," RV, is said of Christ as the Keeper ("keepeth him," RV, for AV, "keepeth himself"); Jude_1:1, RV, "kept for Jesus Christ" (AV, "preserved in Jesus Christ"); Rev_3:10; of their inheritance, 1_Pet_1:4 ("reserved"); of judicial reservation by God in view of future doom, 2_Pet_2:4,9,17; 2_Pet_3:7; Jude_1:6,13; of "keeping" the faith, 2_Tim_4:7; the unity of the Spirit, Eph_4:3; oneself, 2_Cor_11:9; 1_Tim_5:22; James_1:27; figuratively, one's garments, Rev_16:15;
(b) "to observe, to give heed to," as of keeping commandments, etc., e.g., Matt_19:17; John_14:15; John_15:10; John_17:6; James_2:10; 1_John_2:3,4,5; 1_John_3:22,24; 1_John_5:2 (in some mss.), 1_John_5:3; Rev_1:3; Rev_2:26; Rev_3:8,10; Rev_12:17; Rev_14:12; Rev_22:7,9. See RESERVE.
VINCENT’S WORD STUDY
From the hour (ἐκ)
The preposition implies, not a keeping from temptation, but a keeping in temptation, as the result of which they shall be delivered out of its power. Compare Joh_17:15.
Both of these students of Greek grammar indicate the keeping from temptation is the preservation of the believer while in the presence of temptation as opposed to being removed from the temptation itself.