The Greek word periménō, represented by G4037, is defined as to stay around, or to await. It is formed from the words περί and μένω. Its usage is highly specific, appearing only 1 times across 1 unique verses in the entire Bible, highlighting a singular, pivotal moment.
The sole use of G4037 is found in Acts 1:4. In this passage, the resurrected Jesus is "assembled together" with his disciples and gives them a command. He instructs them not to "depart from Jerusalem" but instead to wait for the promise of the Father. This act of waiting is therefore not passive, but a direct response to a specific divine instruction given in the crucial period before the full establishment of the early church.
The context of this command in Acts 1:4 is illuminated by several related words used in the same verse:
- G4871 synalízō (to accumulate, i.e. convene): This term, meaning to "assemble together," establishes the setting where the disciples received the command, emphasizing their shared experience.
- G3853 parangéllō (to transmit a message, i.e. to enjoin): This word for "commanded" underscores that waiting was not a suggestion but a direct and authoritative order from Jesus.
- G5563 chōrízō (to place room between, i.e. part): Used as "depart," this word specifies the negative instruction—what the disciples were forbidden from doing—which gives purpose to their waiting.
- G1860 epangelía (an announcement; especially a divine assurance of good): This is the object of their waiting: "the promise." The word signifies a divine assurance from the Father, which is elsewhere identified as the promise of the Spirit Galatians 3:14.
The theological weight of G4037 is significant despite its rarity, focusing on the nature of faith and obedience.
- Awaiting Divine Fulfillment: The act of waiting is directly tied to a "promise" G1860 from God. This shows that biblical waiting is not an empty exercise but a confident expectation based on a divine assurance, requiring patience until God acts Hebrews 10:36.
- Obedience in Stillness: The command to wait for G4037 is paired with the command to "not depart" G5563. This demonstrates that obedience to God can involve intentional stillness and remaining in a specific place or state until His purposes unfold.
- A Prerequisite for Power: In the narrative of Acts, this commanded waiting in Jerusalem is the immediate precursor to the disciples receiving the "promise of the Father" Acts 1:4. The waiting itself is a necessary step of faith and preparation.
In summary, G4037 periménō, while appearing only once, captures a foundational principle of the Christian faith. Its use in Acts 1:4 transforms "waiting" from a passive state into a dynamic act of obedience and expectant faith. It illustrates a crucial moment where believers are commanded to remain in a specific state of anticipation for the fulfillment of a divine promise from the Father, setting the stage for the subsequent work of God.
TRV