Commandment

signifies "that which is imposed by decree or law," Hebrews 11:23 . It stresses the concrete character of the "commandment" more than epitage (No. 4). Cp. COMMAND, No. 1. For the verb in Hebrews 11:22 see No. 3 under COMMAND.

akin to No. 3, above, denotes, in general, "an injunction, charge, precept, commandment." It is the most frequent term, and is used of moral and religious precepts, e.g., Matthew 5:19; it is frequent in the Gospels, especially that of John, and in his Epistles. See also, e.g., Acts 17:15; Romans 7:8-13; 13:9; 1—Corinthians 7:19; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 4:10 . See PRECEPT.

akin to No. 2, marks more especially "the thing commanded, a commission;" in Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7; Colossians 2:22 , RV, "precepts," AV, "commandments." See PRECEPT.

akin to No. 4, above, stresses "the authoritativeness of the command;" it is used in Romans 16:26; 1—Corinthians 7:6,25; 2—Corinthians 8:8; 1—Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:3; 2:15 . See AUTHORITY.