Lexical Summary me: me Original Word: ἐμέ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance I, me, my. A shorter (and probably originally) from of eme; me -- I, me, my. see GREEK eme NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina form of eme, q.v. Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 3165 designates the first-person singular object pronoun translated “me.” Though a small word, its occurrences frame some of Scripture’s most pivotal moments, especially where the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of Himself. The pronoun continually turns attention away from abstract ideas toward a living, personal relationship with the incarnate Son of God and, by extension, with His people. Personal Object of Divine Invitation Again and again Jesus summons people not merely to truths about Him but to Himself. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). In both invitations the focus rests on the Person who alone mediates grace. The pronoun underscores immediacy: faith has a direct object. Revelation of the Father Jesus’ self-reference draws a straight line to the Father’s self-disclosure. “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). The pronoun functions as the hinge between the visible Son and the invisible God. The believer’s knowledge of God is therefore not speculative; it is anchored in the flesh-and-blood Christ who can be seen, heard, and followed. Standard of Discipleship When speaking of following Him, Jesus deliberately repeats the pronoun to press its cost: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:38). The repeated “Me” prevents discipleship from degenerating into mere ethicalism. Allegiance is personal and exclusive; it centers on Christ Himself rather than on a cause or community, important as those are. Touchstone of Love The pronoun becomes a litmus test for genuine love. Peter’s restoration hinges upon it: “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” (John 21:15–17). The repetition personalizes the call and probes the heart. Likewise Jesus identifies the righteous in the final judgment by their treatment of “the least of these brothers of Mine” (Matthew 25:40), making service to fellow believers tantamount to service rendered directly to Him. Measure of Persecution and Fellowship “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” (Acts 9:4). Though the risen Christ sits in glory, He so identifies with His church that injuries inflicted on believers touch Him. The simple accusative pronoun anchors the doctrine of union with Christ: what happens to the body affects the Head (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). Contrast with the World Jesus warns, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first” (John 15:18). The pronoun highlights the irreconcilable divide between the world system and the person of Christ. Hostility toward disciples is ultimately hostility toward the One they represent. Foundation for Apostolic Ministry Paul repeatedly grounds his apostolic mandate in a direct commission involving the pronoun. The Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9). To the Galatians he testifies, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Ministry thus flows from personal encounter and ongoing reliance on Christ Himself. Historical and Devotional Legacy Early church writers seized upon verses containing the pronoun to defend the full deity of Christ, insisting that only God could rightfully direct humanity to Himself. Throughout Christian history, hymns and prayers echo the New Testament’s insistence on coming to, trusting in, and serving “Thee”—a direct inheritance of ἐμέ’s emphasis. Practical Implications 1. Evangelism centers on presenting Christ, not merely Christian ethics. Summary Strong’s 3165, though grammatically modest, carries profound theological weight. Wherever Scripture records “me” on Jesus’ lips—or on the lips of those responding to Him—it summons readers into personal engagement with the crucified and risen Lord. In salvation, in discipleship, and in ministry, ἐμέ continually redirects the eyes of faith to the singular, sufficient Person of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations με meLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ματταθά — 1 Occ.Ματταθίου — 2 Occ. μάχαιρα — 2 Occ. μάχαιραι — 1 Occ. μάχαιραν — 12 Occ. μαχαίρῃ — 5 Occ. μαχαίρης — 4 Occ. μαχαιρῶν — 5 Occ. μάχαι — 2 Occ. μάχας — 2 Occ. μάχεσθαι — 1 Occ. μάχεσθε — 1 Occ. μαχομένοις — 1 Occ. αὐχεῖ — 1 Occ. μεγαλεῖα — 1 Occ. μεγαλειότητι — 1 Occ. μεγαλειότητος — 2 Occ. μεγαλοπρεποῦς — 1 Occ. ἐμεγάλυνεν — 2 Occ. ἐμεγαλύνετο — 1 Occ. |
    |