Lexical Summary manthanó: To learn, to understand, to comprehend Original Word: μανθάνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance learn, understand. Prolongation from a primary verb, another form of which, matheo, is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn (in any way) -- learn, understand. HELPS Word-studies 3129 manthánō (akin to 3101 /mathētḗs, "a disciple") – properly, learning key facts; gaining "fact-knowledge as someone learns from experience, often with the implication of reflection – 'come to realize' " (L & N, 1, 27.15). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the root math- Definition to learn NASB Translation educated (1), find (1), learn (12), learned (9), learning (1), receive instruction (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3129: μανθάνωμανθάνω; 2 aorist ἔμαθον; perfect participle μεμαθηκώς; the Sept. for לָמַד; (from Homer down); to learn, be apprised; a. universally: absolutely, to increase one's knowledge, 1 Timothy 2:11; 2 Timothy 3:7; to be increased in knowledge, 1 Corinthians 14:31; τί, Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 14:35; Philippians 4:9; 2 Timothy 3:14; Revelation 14:3; in John 7:15 supply αὐτά; followed by an indirect question, Matthew 9:13; Χριστόν, to be imbued with the knowledge of Christ, Ephesians 4:20; τί followed by ἀπό with the genitive of the thing furnishing the instruction, Matthew 24:32; Mark 13:28; ἀπό with the genitive of the person teaching, Matthew 11:29; Colossians 1:7; as in classical Greek (cf. Krüger, § 68, 34, 1; Buttmann, § 147, 5 (cf. 167 (146) and ἀπό, II. 1 d.)); followed by παρά with the genitive of person teaching, 2 Timothy 3:14 cf. John 6:45; followed by ἐν with the dative of person, in one i. e. by his example (see ἐν, I. 3 b.), 1 Corinthians 4:6 (cf. Winers Grammar, 590 (548f); Buttmann, 394f (338)). b. equivalent to to hear, be informed: followed by ὅτι, Acts 23:27; τί ἀπό τίνος (genitive of person), Galatians 3:2 (see ἀπό, as above). c. to learn by use and practice; (in the preterite) to be in the habit of, accustomed to: followed by an infinitive, 1 Timothy 5:; Titus 3:14; Philippians 4:11 (Aeschylus Prom. 1068; Xenophon, an. 3, 2, 25); ἔμαθεν ἀφ' ὧν ἔπαθε τήν ὑπακοήν, Hebrews 5:8 (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 68, 1 and ἀπό, as above). In the difficult passage 1 Timothy 5:13, neither ἀργαί depends upon the verb μανθάνουσι (which would mean they learn to be idle, or learn idleness; so Bretschneider (Lexicon, under the word 2 b.), and Winers Grammar, 347 (325f); (cf. Stallbaum's note and references on Plato's Euthydemus, p. 276 b.)), nor περιερχόμενοι (they learn to go about from house to house, — so the majority of interpreters; for, according to uniform Greek usage, a participle joined to the verb μανθάνειν and belonging to the subject denotes what sort of a person one learns or perceives himself to be, as ἔμαθεν ἔγκυος οὖσα, she perceived herself to be with child, Herodotus 1, 5); but μανθάνειν must be taken absolutely (see a. above) and emphatically, of what they learn by going about from house to house and what it is unseemly for them to know; cf. Bengel ad loc, and Buttmann, § 144, 17; (so Wordsworth, in the place cited). (Compare: καταμανθάνω.) The verb associated with Strong’s Greek number 3129 portrays the active process of acquiring knowledge that transforms the learner. It appears twenty-five times across the New Testament, framing the call to discipleship, the protection of sound doctrine, the cultivation of godliness, and even the eschatological song of the redeemed. Learning Anchored in Christ Himself The first note struck by the New Testament is that authentic learning begins and ends with the Lord Jesus Christ. He invites, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Learning is not merely intellectual; it is relational and transformative. Likewise, Ephesians 4:20 reminds believers, “But this is not the way you came to know Christ,” placing learning in stark contrast to the former way of life. Hebrews 5:8 unveils the mystery that even the incarnate Son “learned obedience from what He suffered,” underscoring that learning and obedience are inseparable. Apostolic Paradigm of Learning The Apostles cast learning as a living tradition transmitted by word and example. Paul exhorts the Philippians, “Whatever you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things” (Philippians 4:9). The Colossians “learned it from Epaphras” (Colossians 1:7), demonstrating that faithful ministers become conduits of Christ-centered instruction. Timothy is charged, “Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of” (2 Timothy 3:14), for apostolic teaching is both a deposit to guard and a life to embrace. Learning and Sound Doctrine Biblical learning serves as a bulwark against deception. Paul warns, “I urge you … watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned” (Romans 16:17). In Galatians 3:2 he asks pointedly, “I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?” Such rhetorical use exposes doctrinal drift and recalls the believer to gospel fundamentals. Learning within the Gathered Church Corporate worship provides space for mutual instruction. “You can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged” (1 Corinthians 14:31). Order also matters: “If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home” (1 Corinthians 14:35), and “A woman must learn in quietness and full submission” (1 Timothy 2:11). These directives uphold learning while maintaining harmony and authority structures within the assembly. Learning Expressed in Practical Godliness Knowledge that remains theoretical falls short of its goal. “Our people must learn to devote themselves to good works” (Titus 3:14). Children and grandchildren should “learn to show godliness toward their own family” (1 Timothy 5:4). Paul’s personal testimony exemplifies this integration: “I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances” (Philippians 4:11). Learning as Protective Discipline Not all learning is virtuous. Some “are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). Younger widows who drift from their calling “learn to be idle, wandering from house to house” (1 Timothy 5:13). By contrast, Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 4:6—“that you may learn from us the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what is written’”—sets canonical Scripture as the guardrail for every lesson. Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions Learning also spans the ages. From the Olivet Discourse—“Learn this lesson from the fig tree” (Matthew 24:32; Mark 13:28)—to the heavenly vision where only the one hundred forty-four thousand “could learn the song” (Revelation 14:3), Scripture shapes the believer’s understanding of both present and future. Historical-Theological Insights Early Christian writers recognized in this verb the heart of discipleship. The Didache opens, “Learn all these things” (Didache 1.1), mirroring Matthew 28:19-20’s commission to teach and obey everything Christ commanded. Patristic catechesis, monastic lectio divina, and Reformation catechisms all echo the New Testament expectation that learning must lead to holiness and mission. Pastoral and Contemporary Application 1. Center teaching ministries on Christ’s person and work, ensuring that intellectual content points to relational knowledge of the Savior. Concluding Reflection From Christ’s invitation to “learn from Me” to the saints’ future song, the New Testament portrays learning as an ever-deepening communion with God that manifests in steadfast doctrine, transformed character, and fervent service. The church continues this sacred vocation, confident that the Spirit who once opened hearts to learn still leads God’s people “into all the truth.” Englishman's Concordance Matthew 9:13 V-AMA-2PGRK: πορευθέντες δὲ μάθετε τί ἐστιν NAS: But go and learn what this means: KJV: go ye and learn what INT: having gone moreover learn what is Matthew 11:29 V-AMA-2P Matthew 24:32 V-AMA-2P Mark 13:28 V-AMA-2P John 6:45 V-APA-NMS John 7:15 V-RPA-NMS Acts 23:27 V-APA-NMS Romans 16:17 V-AIA-2P 1 Corinthians 4:6 V-ASA-2P 1 Corinthians 14:31 V-PSA-3P 1 Corinthians 14:35 V-PNA Galatians 3:2 V-ANA Ephesians 4:20 V-AIA-2P Philippians 4:9 V-AIA-2P Philippians 4:11 V-AIA-1S Colossians 1:7 V-AIA-2P 1 Timothy 2:11 V-PMA-3S 1 Timothy 5:4 V-PMA-3P 1 Timothy 5:13 V-PIA-3P 2 Timothy 3:7 V-PPA-ANP 2 Timothy 3:14 V-AIA-2S 2 Timothy 3:14 V-AIA-2S Titus 3:14 V-PMA-3P Hebrews 5:8 V-AIA-3S Revelation 14:3 V-ANA Strong's Greek 3129 |
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