[Greek] χρονίζω (chronizō), [Latin] mora, [Latin] tardare, [French] retard: to take time, to linger, to delay, to spend time, to tarry; Mt.24:48, Mt.25:5, Lk.1:21, Lk.12:45, Heb.10:37
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to spend time, to last, to persevere, to delay, to prolong, to continue, chronic ailment, and old wine.
Aeschylus’ Agamemnon 1356: “I too am for taking part in such plan, and vote for action of some sort. It is not time to keep on delaying.”
Herodotus’ Histories 3.61: “Cambyses was still in Egypt.”
Aeschylus’ Agamemnon 847: “Where all goes well, we must take counsel so that it may long endure.”
Aeschylus’ Libation Bearers 64: “Sometimes pain waits for those who linger on the frontier of twilight; others are claimed by strengthless night.”
Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War 8.16: “There they waited for some time for Chalcidus to return from the pursuit.”
Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes 54: “Your knowledge of these things was not delayed by fearlessness.”
Aeschylus’ Libation Bearers 957: “May the divine word prevail so that I may not serve the wicked.”
Aeschylus’ Agamemnon 727: “But brought to full growth by time it showed the nature it had from its parents.”
Old Testament: This term means to delay, to hesitate, to remain behind, to be ashamed, to defer, to grow old, to sleep, to be slack, to draw out, and to develop.
New Testament: This term means to delay, to be late, and to spend a long time (remain). The wicked servant, believing that the master is long delayed, abuses his servant and drinks with drunkards. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, the ten virgins fell asleep. The people wondered why Zechariah remained so long in the temple. After a brief moment, He who is to come shall come and He shall not delay.
Scripture:
“Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.” Mt.25:5
The parable of the 10 virgins states that the kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Some virgins were both ready (prepared) or not ready (unprepared) to enter the wedding feast.
“Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.” Lk.1:21
The people wondered why Zechariah remained so long in the sanctuary. They were not aware of his encounter with the angel of the Lord.
“For, after just a brief moment, He who is to come shall come, He shall not delay.” Heb.10:37
After a brief time of persecution, the Lord will come to bring righteousness and everlasting life. Paul urges his followers to have endurance to do God’s will and wait and receive what He has promised.
Etymology: The Latin noun mora means pause or delay. The Latin verb morari means to delay. The modern meaning is a postponement and deliberate temporary suspension. The Latin verb tardare means to slow.
Conclusion:
Moratorium, retard, tardy
In Greek Hellenism, it was interesting to discover the more nuanced meanings of this term: chronic ailments, old wine, persevering, and spending time.
The Old Testament also provides nuanced meanings such as remaining behind, being ashamed, being slack, and drawing out.
The wicked servant is punished as a hypocrite being a child of Gahenna. The long-delayed master relates to the early Christian expectation for the imminent return of Jesus.
The parable of the 10 virgins alludes to one’s preparedness to participating in the marriage feast.
One needs endurance to be faithful to God. For you shall receive the promises for the Lord will surely come.
The early French Medieval literary classic Le Roman de Renart depicted animalistic and anthropomorphic characters. One of these characters was Tardif the snail.
Update: Unfortunately, Russia is still in Eastern Ukraine.
In light of recent tragedies (and killings), authorities must remain vigilant in adopting effective security policies.
We must not delay in finding common ground and practical solutions to stop this violence: school security, teacher handgun training, mental health, and age requirements.
It goes without saying we may often experience physical pain and suffering as we grow older into our twilight years.
Unfortunately, the Biden administration has been “late to the table” in responding to the baby infant formula shortage.
Unfortunately, pain and sorrow will linger in the hearts of the families who lost loved ones. We must continue to pray for them.
We all must continue to pray that God’s word will prevail in changing minds and hearts in turning away from violence.
Unfortunately, a breakdown or lax in security has continued to be a contributing in these unfortunate school shootings.
Unfortunately, the SBC has been very slow in their response to stop the sexual abuse crisis
In light of recent events, we all must be attentive in praying for the families who have lost loved ones. It will unfortunately take time for them to grieve. As with previously tragedies, the both sides have been entrenched in their political stances, delaying any meaningful progress addressing this issue. Both sides must take care to find some common consensus regarding age limits, mental health, school security, and police security protocol. We must not waste time opposing others’ efforts (security protocol legislation) to further one’s policies (gun control) which will never be agreed to. We all must continue to be watchful against evil and earthly values and influences. We must persevere in our faith so that we do not fall away. One must continue to be vigilant with prayers when facing trials and tribulations. We must and should respect our leaders, but must hold them accountable to a higher standard. We all must be alert to face the challenges ahead.
Next post: being vigilant and keeping watch