διατελέω

Pronunciation Guide: dee-at-el-EH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1300: Διατελέω (diateleo) conveys the concept of continuing through to completion, persisting in a particular state or action without interruption. It emphasizes maintaining a condition over an extended period, often against resistance or difficulty. This verb portrays steadfast continuance, highlighting commitment to remain in a specific condition until a natural or appointed end is reached.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Components: Compound of διά (dia, “through, throughout”) + τελέω (teleo, “to complete, finish, accomplish”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative sections, especially in contexts describing extended states or perseverance
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Present participle, infinitive

Διατελέω Morphology:

• διατελῶ (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I continue through, I persevere
• διατελεῖν (present active infinitive) – to continue throughout, to persevere completely
• διατελοῦντες (present active participle, nominative plural masculine) – those who are continuing through
• διατελέσαι (aorist active infinitive) – to have continued through completely

Origin & History

The verb διατελέω has ancient roots in classical Greek literature where it frequently appeared in works describing persistent states or continuous actions. In Plato’s “Republic,” he uses the term to describe those who “continue throughout” (διατελοῦσιν) in the pursuit of justice. Xenophon employs it in his “Memorabilia” when describing Socrates’ consistent behavior, noting how he “continued” (διετέλει) living virtuously throughout his life.

In the Septuagint, although relatively rare, διατελέω appears in contexts emphasizing prolonged faithful adherence, such as in 2 Maccabees 3:26, describing how certain individuals “continued” (διετέλουν) in prayer during a time of national crisis. This usage establishes precedent for the New Testament application, particularly in contexts of sustained faithfulness through challenging circumstances.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Persistent Continuation – To remain uninterruptedly in a particular condition until completion
• Thoroughgoing Perseverance – To maintain a state throughout an entire period or process
• Steadfast Endurance – To continue resolutely despite obstacles or difficulties
• Complete Duration – To last throughout an entire period from beginning to end

Διατελέω Translation Options:

• “Continue throughout” – Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the continuation from beginning to end, capturing both the διά (through) and τελέω (complete) components
• “Remain steadfastly” – Highlights the unwavering quality of the continuation, suitable for contexts involving adversity
• “Persist uninterruptedly” – Stresses the unbroken nature of the continuation, appropriate when emphasizing complete consistency
• “Endure completely” – Appropriate when the focus is on perseverance through a defined trial or difficulty to its conclusion

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διατελέω appears only once, in Acts 27:33, where Paul addresses the sailors and passengers who have endured fourteen days of storm at sea without eating: “…today is the fourteenth day that you have continued [διατελεῖτε] without food, having taken nothing.” This singular appearance is significant, as it occurs during one of the most perilous episodes in Acts, highlighting the extreme nature of the sailors’ sustained fasting state during the terrifying Mediterranean storm.

While rare in biblical literature, this single usage powerfully illustrates the concept of maintaining a condition (fasting) throughout an entire difficult period. The context evokes powerful imagery of endurance through extreme circumstances—a ship being violently tossed by winds and waves, with passengers continuing in a state of anxious fasting for an extended duration.

The Septuagint employs διατελέω in additional contexts that similarly emphasize persistent faithfulness:

• “…the fourteenth day that you have continued [διατελεῖτε] without food, having taken nothing.” Acts 27:33

Cultural Insights

The maritime context of διατελέω’s New Testament usage provides rich cultural significance. Mediterranean sailors were notoriously superstitious, and during violent storms, extended fasting was sometimes practiced as both a practical necessity (as seasickness made eating difficult) and a religious response (abstaining from food while praying to deities for deliverance). Paul’s observation of their having “continued without food” acknowledges this culturally significant behavior while preparing to offer them both physical nourishment and spiritual encouragement.

Furthermore, in Greco-Roman culture, the concept of “continuing through” hardship was highly valued as a philosophical virtue. Stoic philosophers particularly emphasized the importance of maintaining equanimity through difficult circumstances—a concept aligned with διατελέω’s essence. By using this term, Luke (the author of Acts) may be subtly highlighting Paul’s embodiment of this respected virtue, showing how his faith-based perseverance surpassed even the admired Stoic ideals of his day.

Theological Significance

The theological richness of διατελέω extends far beyond its single New Testament appearance. The concept represents a profound picture of divine faithfulness—God Himself “continues throughout” in His covenant promises without interruption or abandonment. Just as the passengers and crew endured fourteen days of storm before deliverance, God’s people often experience extended periods of trial while God faithfully continues with them, never breaking His promise to sustain them through to completion.

This theological principle resonates with Paul’s assurance in Philippians 1:6 that “He who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Messiah Jesus.” The concept embodied in διατελέω reflects Yahweh’s character as the God who persists faithfully from beginning to end, who does not abandon His work midway, but brings it through to completion despite obstacles or resistance.

Personal Application

When we understand the depth of meaning in διατελέω, we gain powerful encouragement for our own spiritual journeys. Just as the sailors in Acts 27 continued through fourteen days of apparent hopelessness before experiencing deliverance, we too are called to maintain our faith steadfastly through seasons of trial. This word reminds us that the quality of our spiritual life is often measured not by isolated moments of faithfulness but by our consistent perseverance through extended challenges.

In practical terms, διατελέω invites us to examine the continuity of our commitment. When prayers seem unanswered, when spiritual growth appears stalled, when suffering persists—are we continuing steadfastly in trust and obedience? The promise embedded in this word is that those who “continue throughout” the storm will eventually witness God’s faithful deliverance, just as Paul and his fellow travelers did when they finally reached shore safely.

Related Words

• προσκαρτερέω (proskartereo) [pros-kar-ter-EH-oh] – To persist strongly in something, to continue steadfastly, emphasizing intensive devotion or attendance; differs from διατελέω by focusing more on active, intentional adherence rather than continuing in a state. See G4342
• ὑπομένω (hupomeno) [hoo-po-MEN-oh] – To remain under, endure, bear up under suffering; differs from διατελέω by emphasizing the burden being borne rather than the continuity of a state. See G5278
• παραμένω (parameno) [par-am-EN-oh] – To remain beside, continue with someone or in a place; differs from διατελέω by focusing on remaining in proximity rather than continuing in a condition. See G3887
• διαμένω (diameno) [dee-am-EN-oh] – To remain through, continue; closest in meaning to διατελέω but emphasizes remaining rather than continuing in action or state. See G1265
• ἐπιμένω (epimeno) [ep-ee-MEN-oh] – To remain on, continue in, persist in; differs from διατελέω by emphasizing persistence in a place or action rather than continuing through a condition. See G1961

Did You Know?

• In ancient Greek athletic competitions, an athlete who διατελεῖ (continued throughout) the entire race without stopping, regardless of position, was honored for their perseverance—a cultural concept that sheds light on Paul’s athletic metaphors about finishing the race in 2 Timothy 4:7.
• The compound structure of διατελέω (dia + teleo) creates a vivid word-picture of “completing through”—like a thread running continuously through fabric from one end to the other without breaking. This imagery would have resonated powerfully with the ancient Mediterranean audience familiar with weaving as a common trade.
• Modern Greek has preserved διατελέω primarily in formal or legal contexts, where it describes someone who “continues to hold office” throughout an entire term—a linguistic descendant that still carries the original sense of uninterrupted continuance through a defined period.

Remember This

Διατελέω calls us to a faith that doesn’t merely start well or finish strong, but continues faithfully through every storm between, mirroring the God who never breaks His journey with us from our first encounter to our final homecoming.