English · KJV
G5083

τηρέω

tēréō /tay-reh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom τερός (a watch; perhaps akin to θεωρέω)
Meaningto guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from φυλάσσω, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from κουστωδία, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. 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); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried)
KJV usagehold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tēréō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word tēréō, represented by G5083, means to guard by keeping an eye upon something. It appears 75 times across 68 unique verses in the Bible. Its definition distinguishes it from similar words by emphasizing watchful care, rather than preventing escape or using military force. This core idea extends to noting a prophecy, fulfilling a command, detaining someone in custody, maintaining a state, or withholding something for a purpose.

Beyond simple observation, G5083 often conveys a sustained and deliberate commitment to maintain a state, condition, or object over time. This active preservation implies not merely watching, but taking necessary action to ensure something remains as it should be, or is withheld for its intended purpose. It suggests an enduring vigilance that prevents alteration, loss, or deviation, reflecting a deeper sense of responsibility and care than a transient glance. The term can therefore denote a proactive engagement with that which is being kept, whether it be a divine mandate, a personal vow, or a future promise.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G5083 is used in several distinct ways, highlighting its versatility. A primary application is the call for believers to observe or keep God's commandments as an expression of love and devotion John 14:15. This active obedience is central to one's relationship with God, as seen when Jesus states, "If a man love me, he will keep my words" John 14:23. The term also denotes preservation and protection, both divine and human. God is asked to keep believers from evil John 17:15, and the saints are described as being preserved in Jesus Christ Jude 1:1. On a literal level, it describes the physical guarding of a person, such as when soldiers were watching Jesus at the cross Matthew 27:54 or when Peter was kept in prison Acts 12:5.

The semantic breadth of G5083 also encompasses the active discipline of the believer in maintaining personal purity and integrity. Individuals are exhorted to "keep themselves" in a state of moral and spiritual blamelessness. This is evident in the instruction to "keep thyself pure" 1 Timothy 5:22, and the description of pure religion involving the effort "to keep himself unspotted from the world" James 1:27. Furthermore, the New Testament highlights a divine capacity to "keep" or "reserve" not only individuals but also elements of creation for future events, particularly judgment. God is depicted as reserving angels "in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day" Jude 1:6, and the heavens and earth are "kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment" 2 Peter 3:7. This usage underscores God's sovereign control over destiny and the unfolding of His redemptive plan, ensuring that all things are maintained according to His divine timetable.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of G5083:

  • G5442 phylássō (to watch): This term also means to keep or guard, but with a sense of preventing escape. The two words are used together in John 17:12, where Jesus says He kept G5083 the disciples in the Father's name, and then that He has kept G5442 those given to Him.
  • G1127 grēgoreúō (to keep awake): This word emphasizes the need for vigilance and watchfulness. It is used alongside G5083 in Revelation 16:15, which blesses the one who watcheth G1127 and keepeth G5083 his garments.
  • G1785 entolḗ (commandment): This is the injunction or authoritative prescription that believers are called to keep. The connection is direct and frequent, as in "we keep his commandments" 1 John 5:3.
  • G114 athetéō (to set aside): This word provides a direct contrast to keeping God's law. In Mark 7:9, Jesus accuses the Pharisees of rejecting G114 God's commandment so that they may keep G5083 their own tradition.
  • G5084 tḗrēsis (keeping): This noun, directly derived from G5083, refers to the act of keeping, custody, or observance. It embodies the concept of G5083 as a state of being kept, a period of detention, or the act of observing a law or custom.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G5083 is significant, framing key aspects of the Christian life.

  • Obedience as Evidence of Love: Keeping God's commandments is not a means of salvation but the definitive sign of a loving relationship with Him. This is a recurring theme, where loving God is inseparable from keeping His word (1 John 2:5, John 14:21).
  • Divine Preservation: The word underscores God's role as a protector who actively keeps His people. This includes preserving them blameless until Christ's coming 1 Thessalonians 5:23, keeping them from temptation Revelation 3:10, and reserving for them an incorruptible inheritance in heaven 1 Peter 1:4.
  • Holding Fast to the Faith: Believers are called to keep the faith 2 Timothy 4:7 and hold fast to what they have heard Revelation 3:3. This implies a steadfast commitment to the truth in the face of opposition and a refusal to deny His name Revelation 3:8.
  • Stewardship of God's Mandate: G5083 underscores the believer's active role as a steward of divine truth and commandments. It is not enough to merely hear God's word; one must actively "keep this commandment without spot" 1 Timothy 6:14, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to its integrity and application in life. This proactive guardianship of the faith is a testament to one's faithfulness, as Paul states, "I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7.
  • Preservation of Spiritual Unity: The term also highlights the collective responsibility within the Christian community to actively guard and maintain the spiritual bonds that unite believers. The call to be "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" Ephesians 4:3 demonstrates that unity is not passive, but requires diligent, watchful effort to preserve it from division and discord.

Summary

The Greek word G5083 (tēréō) profoundly enriches our understanding of "keeping" in the New Testament, extending its meaning far beyond a superficial act to encompass active, watchful, and purposeful care. It denotes a sustained commitment to maintain, preserve, or guard something valuable, whether a divine command, a person, or a state of being. This careful oversight distinguishes it from mere observation, implying a deliberate and continuous engagement.

Its biblical applications are remarkably diverse, touching on both human responsibility and divine sovereignty. Believers are consistently called to G5083 God's commandments, not as a legalistic burden, but as the quintessential expression of a loving relationship. Furthermore, the concept extends to personal discipline, urging individuals to "keep themselves pure" and "unspotted from the world," reflecting an active stewardship over their moral and spiritual integrity. In a communal context, the church is exhorted to G5083 the unity of the Spirit, demonstrating that communal harmony requires diligent preservation.

Crucially, G5083 also illuminates God's unwavering character as the ultimate Keeper. He actively preserves His people from evil, reserves an incorruptible inheritance for them, and holds fast to His promises. Moreover, the term describes God's sovereign act of "reserving" or "keeping in store" certain individuals and even the cosmos for future judgment, underscoring His meticulous control over history and destiny. Thus, from the centurion guarding the cross to God reserving the heavens and earth for a future conflagration, G5083 encapsulates a dynamic spectrum of watchful care, purposeful preservation, and steadfast commitment, both human and divine, that is central to the Christian narrative.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 75 occurrences, inflected in 40 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it. These are this word’s own inflections, not words built from it — for those, see Related Words.

  • τηρεῖν
  • τηρῶν
  • τηρήσῃ
  • τηροῦντες
  • τηρεῖ
  • τηρῶμεν
  • τηρεῖσθαι
  • τήρησον
  • ἐτήρησάς
  • στήσητε
  • τηρήσω
  • ἐτήρουν

Related Words

Related

Words formed from this one

1 entry in Strong’s name this word as its origin. These are its derivatives — a different relationship from the inflected forms above, which are this same word bent by grammar.

G5084 τήρησις a watching, i.e. (figuratively) observance, or (concretely) a prison

Also mentioned in the study

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G5442 φυλάσσω to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively) G1127 γρηγορεύω to keep awake, i.e. watch (literally or figuratively) G1785 ἐντολή injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription G114 ἀθετέω to set aside, i.e. (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 68 verses across 16 of the 27 books. Most frequent in John (16 verses); never once in the other 11.

6
Matthew
1
Mark
16
John
9
Acts
1
1 Corinthians
1
2 Corinthians
1
Ephesians
1
1 Thessalonians
2
1 Timothy
1
2 Timothy
2
James
1
1 Peter
4
2 Peter
8
1 John
4
Jude
10
Revelation

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.