Greek word · G1019

βραδύνω

bradynō

to delay

To be slow, to delay, to be late, to hang back past the expected time. The noun means slowness or tardiness. In ordinary Greek it describes a messenger who dawdles or a payment that comes in late.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 21, 2026

What it means

βραδύνω

(βραδύς), [in LXX: Genesis 43:10 (מההּ hith.), Deuteronomy 7:10, Isaiah 46:13 (אחר pi.), Si 32 (35):18 * ;]

1. trans., to retard (Soph., Is, l.with).

2. More frequently intrans., to be slow, to tarry: 1 Timothy 3:15, 2 Peter 3:9.

† (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 2 Peter 3:9

Range of meaning: To be slow, to delay, to be late, to hang back past the expected time. The noun means slowness or tardiness. In ordinary Greek it describes a messenger who dawdles or a payment that comes in late.
Against the English: BSB, WEB and the NIV have 'slow', which is accurate. The KJV's 'slack' meant 'slow, remiss' in 1611 and is close, though today it can suggest laziness or leniency. Some versions add 'in keeping' to make the sense of the genitive 'about the promise' clear.
Used elsewhere in the period: The LXX uses it in a cluster of 'God will not delay' texts. Deut 7:10: the Lord 'will not be slow with those who hate him'. Isa 46:13: 'my salvation I will not delay'. Sir 35:19 (32:22 LXX): 'the Lord will not be slow, nor will he be patient (makrothymēsei) with them' — it pairs the same two verbs found in 2 Pet 3:9. Hab 2:3 ('if it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come and not delay') was the classic Jewish text for dealing with apparent delay in God's promises (used at Qumran in 1QpHab 7 and in Heb 10:37).

Where it appears

1 Timothy · 1

1 Timothy 3:15 βραδύνω, I shall delay,

in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Here: 'I am slow' or 'I am held up'. The writer is not promising a date; the letter is meant to stand in for his presence if he is slow in coming.

2 Peter · 1

2 Peter 3:9 βραδύνει does delay

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Here: To be behind schedule, to dawdle past the due time. In the present tense it denies that any delay is going on now. It picks up a stock biblical line, 'the Lord will not be slow' (Hab 2:3; Sir 35:19 LXX).

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.