Commandment - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Commandment
[ 1,,G1297, diatagma ]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.
[ 2,,G1785, entole ]
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-Romans 7:13; Romans 13:9; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 4:10. See PRECEPT.
[ 3,,G1778, entalma ]
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.
[ 4,,G2003, epitage ]
akin to No. 4, above, stresses "the authoritativeness of the command;" it is used in Romans 16:26; 1 Corinthians 7:6, 1 Corinthians 7:25; 2 Corinthians 8:8; 1 Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:3; Titus 2:15. See AUTHORITY.
Notes:
(1) For parangelia (cp. parangello, above), "a proclamation," See CHARGE.
(2) In Revelation 22:14 the RV, "wash their robes" (for AV, "do His commandments") follows the most authentic mss.