"to spend time, waste time, linger, delay, Acts 20:16*"
Definition and meaning
to spend time, waste time, linger, delay, Acts 20:16*
In the original Greek the word is written: χρονοτριβέω
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of chronotribeo (G5551) across the King James Bible.
For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
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Common questions
Strong's G5551 (chronotribeo) is a Greek word that means: to spend time, waste time, linger, delay, Acts 20:16* It appears 1 times in the King James Bible.
The word chronotribeo (G5551) appears 1 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5551 is chronotribeo, a Greek word defined as: to spend time, waste time, linger, delay, Acts 20:16*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
chronotribeo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.