Greek word · G1293

διαστολή

diastolē

distinction

From διαστέλλω, "to separate, set apart, distinguish". The noun means a separation, a distinction, a difference between things. It is also used of a clear or distinct sound (1 Cor 14:7, "distinction in the notes").

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δια-στολή, -ῆς, ἡ

(διαστέλλω), [in LXX for פְּדוּת: Exodus 8:23, etc. ;]

1. a separation.

2. a distinction, difference: Romans 3:22 10:12, 1 Corinthians 14:7.†

(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 Romans 10:12

Range of meaning

From διαστέλλω, "to separate, set apart, distinguish". The noun means a separation, a distinction, a difference between things. It is also used of a clear or distinct sound (1 Cor 14:7, "distinction in the notes"). In legal and administrative Greek a related verb is used for orders that "set out" or "define" something (BDAG).

Against the English

"Difference" (KJV, BSB, YLT) and "distinction" (WEB, ESV) both work. "Distinction" is slightly better because it suggests a line drawn between groups, not just two groups happening to be different.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (LXX) the cognate verb is used of God "distinguishing" Israel from Egypt (Exod 8:22–23 LXX; 9:4; 11:7: "the Lord will make a distinction between Egypt and Israel"). In the NT the noun occurs only three times: Rom 3:22, Rom 10:12, 1 Cor 14:7.

From the study of Romans 3:22

Range of meaning

Separation, distinction, difference; a dividing or marking-off; in music, a distinction between notes (1 Cor 14:8, closely related usage).

Against the English

KJV "difference" can sound like "there is no difference between people" in general. "Distinction" (BSB, WEB, most moderns) better carries the idea of a boundary marked between groups.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Exod 8:19 (Eng 8:23): God says, "I will put a distinction (diastolēn) between my people and your people", Israel set apart from Egypt in the plagues. Rom 10:12 repeats the phrase exactly and names the groups: "there is no distinction between Jew and Greek". Lev 20:24–26 grounds Israel's food and purity laws in God having "separated" Israel from the nations.

Where it appears

Romans · 2

  1. Romans 3:22 διαστολή. distinction.

    And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,

    Here: A separating line between groups. In Romans this means the line between Jew and Greek (10:12 uses the same phrase and names them). On this point, being put right with God, that line does not count.

  2. Romans 10:12 διαστολὴ difference

    For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him,

    Here: A dividing line or separation between two groups. Paul says no such line exists here, using the same phrase he used in 3:22, where the point was that all have sinned. Here the point is that all have one generous Lord.

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:7 διαστολὴν distinction

    Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct?

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