Greek · G5442 · unreviewed

φυλάσσω

To keep/guard: observe

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

φυλάσσω G5442

Pronunciation phylássō

What does φυλάσσω (phylássō) mean in the Bible?

φυλάσσω (phylássō) is a Greek word meaning "to keep/guard: observe". φυλάσσω [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for שָׁמַר, also for נָצַר, etc. Indicates active, ongoing obedience.

Full entry for φυλάσσω (G5442) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to keep/guard: observe

Extended definition

To guard actively and protectively, whether persons, things, or divine commandments; implies vigilant preservation.

to guard, watch;

ato guard or watch: with cogn. accusative, φυλακάς, Luk.2:8; with accusative of person(s), Act.12:4 28:16; pass., Luk.8:29, Act.23:35; with accusative of thing(s), Act.22:20;

bto guard or protect: with accusative, Luk.11:21, Jhn.12:25 17:12, 2Th.3:3, 1Ti.6:20, 2Ti.1:12 1:14, 2Pe.2:5; ἑαυτὸν ἀπό, 1Jn.5:21 (Westc., in l); metaphorically of law, precept, etc., to keep, preserve, observe: Mat.19:20, Luk.11:28 18:21, Jhn.12:47, Act.7:53 16:4 21:24, Rom.2:26, Gal.6:13, 1Ti.5:21. Mid., to be on one's guard (against), keep oneself from, beware of: with accusative, Act.21:25, 2Ti.4:15; before ἀπό., Luk.12:15; ἵνα μή, 2Pe.3:17; as in LXX (Exo.12:17, Lev.18:4, al.), of laws, etc., to keep, observe: ταῦτα πάντα, Mrk.10:20 (cf. δια-φυάσσω).

Synonymsτηρέω, q.v

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Indicates active, ongoing obedience. 1 Timothy 6:20-21

Indicates restrained yet permitted living situation. 2 Timothy 1:13-14

Faithful ministry requires vigilance to ensure the gospel message remains uncorrupted. 2 Timothy 1:8-12

Paul’s confidence rests in God’s ability to safeguard what has been entrusted until the final day. 2 Timothy 4:9-15

Timothy must remain spiritually vigilant against those who oppose the gospel. Acts 28:11-16

The gospel requires vigilant protection against corruption. Luke 11:27–28

Grammatical Forms

How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.

Tenses

Aorist Present Future

Voices

Active Middle Passive

Indicative states a fact or reality 9×

Aorist Active Matt 19:20 · Luke 18:21 · John 17:12 · Acts 7:53 · 2 Pet 2:5 5×

Future Active John 12:25 · 2 Thess 3:3 2×

Aorist Middle Mark 10:20 1×

Present Active Gal 6:13 1×

Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 6×

Present Active Luke 2:8 · Luke 11:28 · Acts 21:24 · Acts 22:20 · Acts 28:16 5×

Present Passive Luke 8:29 1×

Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 4×

Present Active Luke 11:21 · Rom 2:26 2×

Aorist Active John 12:47 · 1 Tim 5:21 2×

Imperative command or strong request 6×

Present Middle Luke 12:15 · 2 Pet 3:17 · 2 Tim 4:15 3×

Aorist Active 1 Tim 6:20 · 2 Tim 1:14 · 1 John 5:21 3×

Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 6×

Present Active Acts 12:4 · Acts 16:4 2×

Aorist Active 2 Tim 1:12 · Jude 1:24 2×

Present Middle Acts 21:25 1×

Present Passive Acts 23:35 1×

Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 31 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect

completed 6 ongoing 1 prospective 2 imperative 6 subjunctive 4 infinitive 6 participle 6

Tense

present 16 aorist 13 future 2

Voice

active 24 middle 5 passive 2

Mood

indicative 9 imperative 6 infinitive 6 participle 6 subjunctive 4

NT Occurrences

Matthew 19:20 ἐφύλαξα aorist active indicative completed Mark 10:20 ἐφυλαξάμην aorist middle indicative completed Luke 2:8 φυλάσσοντες present active participle participle Luke 8:29 φυλασσόμενος present passive participle participle Luke 11:21 φυλάσσῃ present active subjunctive subjunctive Luke 11:28 φυλάσσοντες present active participle participle Luke 12:15 φυλάσσεσθε present middle imperative imperative Luke 18:21 ἐφύλαξα aorist active indicative completed John 12:25 φυλάξει future active indicative prospective John 12:47 φυλάξῃ aorist active subjunctive subjunctive John 17:12 ἐφύλαξα aorist active indicative completed Acts 7:53 ἐφυλάξατε aorist active indicative completed Acts 12:4 φυλάσσειν present active infinitive infinitive Acts 16:4 φυλάσσειν present active infinitive infinitive Acts 21:24 φυλάσσων present active participle participle Acts 21:25 φυλάσσεσθαι present middle infinitive infinitive Acts 22:20 φυλάσσων present active participle participle Acts 23:35 φυλάσσεσθαι present passive infinitive infinitive Acts 28:16 φυλάσσοντι present active participle participle Romans 2:26 φυλάσσῃ present active subjunctive subjunctive Galatians 6:13 φυλάσσουσιν present active indicative ongoing 2 Thessalonians 3:3 φυλάξει future active indicative prospective 1 Timothy 5:21 φυλάξῃς aorist active subjunctive subjunctive 1 Timothy 6:20 φύλαξον aorist active imperative imperative 2 Timothy 1:12 φυλάξαι aorist active infinitive infinitive 2 Timothy 1:14 φύλαξον aorist active imperative imperative 2 Timothy 4:15 φυλάσσου present middle imperative imperative 2 Peter 2:5 ἐφύλαξεν aorist active indicative completed 2 Peter 3:17 φυλάσσεσθε present middle imperative imperative 1 John 5:21 φυλάξατε aorist active imperative imperative Jude 1:24 φυλάξαι aorist active infinitive infinitive

Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.

Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses

1 Timothy 6:20-21 guard phylássō Imperative · Aorist Active

To keep watch over and preserve from harm.

2 Timothy 1:13-14 Guard phylássō Imperative · Aorist Active

to protect, watch over, or preserve carefully

2 Timothy 1:8-12 Guard phylássō Infinitive · Aorist Active

to watch over, protect, or preserve

2 Timothy 4:9-15 Guard phylássō Imperative · Present Middle

to watch over or guard carefully

Acts 28:11-16 Guarding phylássō Participle · Present Active

To watch or guard.

Luke 11:27–28 φυλάσσοντες phylássō Participle · Present Active

keeping, guarding

Additional Occurrences

Luke 11:24–28 φυλάσσοντες phylássō

Keeping, guarding

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Acts 28 — Paul in Rome: The Kingdom Proclaimed Without Hindrance Luke 11 — Prayer, Kingdom Conflict, True Hearing, and the Exposure of Hypocrisy Matthew 19 — Marriage from Creation, Children Received, Riches Renounced, and the Reward of Following Christ

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details