τήρησις

From the study of 1 Corinthians 7:19

Range of meaning

(1) Custody or imprisonment, and by extension a prison (Acts 4:3; 5:18). (2) Keeping, guarding, preserving. (3) Observance of rules or laws. The root τηρέω carries the idea of watchful attention: keeping something safe and intact.

Against the English

'Keeping' is accurate. The word is a noun of action, though, so it describes an ongoing practice of attentive observance, not a single act of compliance.

Used elsewhere in the period

Sirach 32:23 (LXX; 35:23 in some numberings): 'In every work trust yourself, for this too is the keeping of commandments (τήρησις ἐντολῶν)', the same phrase Paul uses. Wisdom 6:18: 'love [of wisdom] is the keeping of her laws (τήρησις νόμων)'. In Jewish wisdom writing, the phrase was a stock way to describe faithfulness to God's law.

From the study of 1 Maccabees 5:18

Range of meaning

The act of guarding or watching over something. It can also mean custody (a place or state of being kept under guard) and, by extension, 'keeping' or observing commands. It comes from tēreō, 'to watch over, guard, keep'.

Against the English

KJV and Brenton say 'to keep it', which today can sound like 'to keep possession of it' or even 'to look after it' in a gentle sense. WEB's 'to guard it' captures the military, defensive sense better.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Hellenistic Greek it is used for guard duty and custody. In the NT, Acts 4:3 and 5:18 use it for holding prisoners 'in custody'. In wisdom literature it is used for 'keeping' commandments (e.g. Sirach 32:23; Wisdom 6:18).