Greek word · G88

ἀδιάλειπτος

adialeiptos

continuous

Unceasing, continual, without a gap or break (from a- 'not' + dialeipō 'to leave an interval, stop for a while').

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἀδιάλειπτος, -ον

(διαλείπω),

unremitting, incessant: Romans 9:2, 2 Timothy 1:3. (For exx., see MM, VGT, see word) †

(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 9:2

Range of meaning

Unceasing, continual, without a gap or break (from a- 'not' + dialeipō 'to leave an interval, stop for a while').

Against the English

"Unceasing" (BSB, WEB, YLT), "continual" (KJV). All are accurate. The word is about having no breaks, not only about lasting a long time.

Used elsewhere in the period

The adjective appears in the NT only here and in 2 Tim 1:3. Paul uses the adverb adialeiptōs for his unceasing prayer and thanksgiving (Rom 1:9; 1 Thess 1:2; 2:13; 5:17). In wider Hellenistic Greek it describes things that go on without a break.

From the study of 2 Timothy 1:3

Range of meaning

'Not leaving off, without interval': unceasing, constant, continual. In the papyri it is used of things that recur regularly or persist without lapse.

Against the English

'Without ceasing' (KJV) can sound like literally nonstop prayer. 'Constantly' (BSB) is closer in modern English: never dropped, always included.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rom 9:2 ('unceasing anguish'). The adverb form is in Rom 1:9; 1 Thess 1:2; 2:13; 5:17. In the Hellenistic world the word could describe things done regularly, such as recurring payments or customary rites.

Similar words

Where it appears

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 9:2 ἀδιάλειπτος unceasing

    I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

    Here: Something that never lets up, with no pause or gap. Paul uses the same word family for his unceasing prayer (Rom 1:9; 1 Thess 5:17). The pain has no off-days.

2 Timothy · 1

  1. 2 Timothy 1:3 ἀδιάλειπτον unceasingly

    I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers.

    Here: 'Without a gap'. It describes the remembrance as unbroken. It means regular and never dropped, recurring every time he prays. It does not mean literally every second.

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