τηρέω
tēreō
to keep: observe
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word τηρέω (tēreō) is a verb that means "to keep" or "to observe." It is used 38 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in various contexts. In its most basic sense, tēreō implies a sense of preservation or maintenance, suggesting that something is being protected or safeguarded. The range of usage for tēreō is quite broad, encompassing both physical and spiritual contexts. It can refer to the physical act of keeping or guarding something, such as a house or a treasure (e.g., Matthew 25:21). However, it can also have a more spiritual connotation, implying a sense of obedience or loyalty to a set of principles or a higher authority (e.g., Matthew 19:21). In this sense, tēreō is often used in conjunction with other verbs, such as obeying or following. The significance of tēreō lies in its emphasis on the importance of responsibility and stewardship. When used in a spiritual context, it highlights the need to live in accordance with a set of principles or values, rather than simply following one's own desires or impulses. This sense of responsibility is underscored by the fact that tēreō is often used in conjunction with other words that convey a sense of accountability, such as "command" or "law."
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
38 total occurrences across the text
He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Matthew 23:3All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.
Matthew 23:3All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.
Matthew 28:20teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
John 8:51Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”
John 8:52Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, ‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’
John 8:55You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him and keep his word.
John 9:16Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was division among them.
John 14:15If you love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:21One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”
John 14:24He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me.
John 15:10If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
John 15:10If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
John 15:20Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
John 15:20Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
John 17:6I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.
Acts 15:5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
1 Timothy 6:14that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
John 14:23Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.
James 2:10For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
1 John 2:3This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
1 John 2:4One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him.
1 John 2:5But God’s love has most certainly been perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know that we are in him:
1 John 3:22so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.
1 John 3:24He who keeps his commandments remains in him, and he in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.
1 John 5:3For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.
Jude 1:6Angels who didn’t keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
Jude 1:21Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Revelation 1:3Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.
Revelation 2:26He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.
Revelation 3:3Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.
Revelation 3:8“I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name.
Revelation 3:10Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 12:17The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep God’s commandments and hold Jesus’ testimony.
Revelation 14:12Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Revelation 22:7“Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:9He said to me, “See you don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”