Lexical Summary menó: To remain, to abide, to stay, to continue, to dwell, to endure Original Word: μένω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance abide, continue, dwell, remainA primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) -- abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to stay, abide, remain NASB Translation abide (16), abides (22), abiding (4), await (1), continue (4), continues (1), endures (3), enduring (1), lasting (2), lives (1), living (1), remain (20), remained (6), remaining (1), remains (8), stand (1), stay (11), stayed (11), staying (3), waiting (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3306: ἐνμένω[ἐνμένω, see ἐμμένω and under the word ἐν, III. 3.] STRONGS NT 3306: μένωμένω; imperfect ἔμενον; future μένω; 1 aorist ἔμεινα; pluperfect μεμενήκειν without augment (1 John 2:19; cf. ἐκβάλλω (and see Tdf. Proleg., p. 120f)); (from Homer down); the Sept. chiefly for עָמַד and קוּם, also for חִכָּה, יָשַׁב, etc.; to remain, abide; I. intransitively; in reference: 1. to place; a. properly, equivalent to Latincommoror, to sojourn, tarry: ἐν with the dative of place, Luke 8:27; Luke 10:7; John 7:9; John 11:6; Acts 20:15; Acts 27:31; Acts 28:30 (R G L); 2 Timothy 4:20; with adverbs of place: ἐκεῖ, Matthew 10:11; John 2:12; John 10:40; (John 11:54 WH Tr text); ὧδε, Matthew 26:38; Mark 14:34; παρά τίνι, with one, John 1:39( b. tropically; α. equivalent to not to depart, not to leave, to continue to be present: μετά τίνος (genitive of person), to maintain unbroken fellowship with one, adhere to his party, 1 John 2:19; to be constantly present to help one, of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16 R G; also παρά with the dative of person, John 14:17; ἐπί τινα, to put forth constant influence upon one, of the Holy Spirit, John 1:32f; also of the wrath of God, John 3:36; τό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει, of that which continually prevents the right understanding of what is read, 2 Corinthians 3:14. In the mystic phraseology of John, God is said μένειν in Christ, i. e. to dwell as it were within him, to be continually operative in him by his divine influence and energy, John 14:10; Christians are said μένειν ἐν τῷ Θεῷ, to be rooted as it were in him, knit to him by the spirit they have received from him, 1 John 2:6, 24, 27; 1 John 3:6; hence, one is said μένειν in Christ or in God, and conversely Christ or God is said μένειν in one: John 6:56; John 15:4; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:13, 16; ὁ Θεός μένει ἐν αὐτῷ καί αὐτός ἐν τῷ Θεῷ, 1 John 4:15; cf. Rückert, Abendmahl, p. 268f μένει τί ἐν ἐμοί, something has established itself permanently within my soul, and always exerts its power in me: τά ῤήματα μου, John 15:7; ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ, 1 John 2:14; ἡ χαρά ἡ ἐμή (not joy in me, i. e. of which I am the object, but the joy with which I am filled), John 15:11 Rec.; ὁ ἠκουσατα, 1 John 2:24; the Holy Spirit, John 2:17; John 3:9; ἡ ἀλήθεια, 2 John 1:2; love toward God, 1 John 3:17; in the same sense one is said ἔχειν τί μένον ἐν ἑαυτῷ, as τόν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, John 5:38; ζωήν αἰώνιον, 1 John 3:15. equivalent to to persevere; ἐν τίνι, of him who cleaves, holds fast, to a thing: ἐν τῷ λόγῳ, John 8:31; ἐν τῇ ἀγάπη, 1 John 4:16; ἐν πίστει, 1 Timothy 2:15; ἐν οἷς (ἐν τούτοις, ἅ) ἔμαθες, 2 Timothy 3:14; ἐν τῇ διδαχή, 2 John 1:9 (ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ, 2 Macc. 8:1); differently ἐν τῇ ἀγάπη τίνος, i. e. to keep oneself always worthy of his love, John 15:9f β. to be held, or kept, continually: ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ, in the state of death, 1 John 3:14; ἐν τῇ σκοτία, John 12:46; ἐν τῷ φωτί, 1 John 2:10. 2. to Time; to continue to be, i. e. not to perish, to last, to endure: of persons, to survive, live (examples from secular authors are given in Kypke, Observations, i., p. 415f): Philippians 1:25 (so ἐμμένειν, Sir. 39:11); with εἰς τόν αἰῶνα added, John 12:34; Hebrews 7:24; also of him who becomes partaker of the true and everlasting life, opposed to παράγεσθαι, 1 John 2:17; ἕως ἄρτι, opposed to οἱ καιμηθεντες, 1 Corinthians 15:6; ὀλίγον, Revelation 17:10; ἕως ἔρχομαι, John 21:22f; of things, not to perish, to last, stand: of cities, Matthew 11:23; Heb. xiii, 14; of works, opposed to κατακαίεσθαι, 1 Corinthians 3:14; of purposes, moral excellences, Romans 9:11; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Hebrews 13:1; λόγος Θεοῦ, 1 Peter 1:23; (where Rec. adds εἰς τόν αἰῶνα added, 2 Corinthians 9:9; τό ῤῆμα27ὁ καρπός, John 15:16; ὕπαρξις, Hebrews 10:34; ἁμαρτία, John 9:41; βρῶσις, opposed to ἡ ἀπολλυμενη, John 6:27; one's δικαιοσύνη with εἰς τόν αἰῶνα added, 2 Corinthians 9:9; τό ῤῆμα κυρίου, 1 Peter 1:25. things which one does not part with are said μένειν to him, i. e. to remain to him, be still in (his) possession: Acts 5:4 (1 Macc. 15:7). 3. to State or Condition; to remain as one is, not to become another or different: with a predicate nominative μόνος, John 12:24; ἀσάλευτος, Acts 27:41; ἄγαμος, 1 Corinthians 7:11; πιστός, 2 Timothy 2:13; ἱερεύς, Hebrews 7:3; with adverbs, οὕτως, 1 Corinthians 7:40; ὡς κἀγώ, ibid. 8; ἐν with the dative of the state, ibid. 20, 24. II. transitively; τινα, to wait for, await one (cf. Buttmann, § 131, 4): Acts 20:23; with ἐν and the dative of place added, Acts 20:5. (Compare: ἀναμένω, διαμένω, ἐνμένω, ἐπιμένω, καταμένω, παραμένω, συνπαραμένω, περιμένω, προσμένω, ὑπομένω.) The verb μένω appears 118 times, spanning narrative, epistolary, and apocalyptic literature. In the Gospels and Acts it often describes literal residence or continued presence (John 1:39; Acts 18:3). In the Pauline and General Epistles it expresses enduring spiritual realities—faith, hope, love, the indwelling word, and the believer’s union with Christ (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 2:24). Revelation 17:10 uses the term eschatologically. The contexts cluster around three primary ideas: (1) physical staying, (2) relational abiding, and (3) enduring permanence versus transience. Abiding in Christ: Johannine Theology John’s writings account for more than half the occurrences, developing a theology in which salvation and sanctification hinge on remaining in Christ. • Mutual indwelling: “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you” (John 15:4). The verb denotes a reciprocal, covenantal union established by grace and sustained by obedience. Abiding Word and Truth Scripture itself is portrayed as remaining, underscoring its authority and immutability. • “The word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Peter 1:25, citing Isaiah 40:8). Abiding Presence of the Spirit John 14:17 identifies the Spirit as One who “abides with you and will be in you,” depicting the Spirit’s indwelling as ongoing rather than episodic. Romans 8 and 1 John 4:13 connect this abiding presence to assurance of salvation. Faith, Hope, and Love That Remain Paul elevates μένει in a triad of virtues: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). The verb marks them as enduring beyond the temporal gifts of prophecy and knowledge, setting a horizon of eternal values. Endurance and Perseverance Hebrews 12:27 contrasts removable creations with what “cannot be shaken and will remain.” Believers are exhorted to persist in marital stations (1 Corinthians 7:20), sound doctrine (2 Timothy 3:14), and brotherly love (Hebrews 13:1). The term thus fuels ethical perseverance. Hospitality and Mission Jesus’ mission directives frequently employ μένω: “Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy, and stay at his house until you leave” (Matthew 10:11). The command frames gospel ministry as contentment and respectful dependence upon hosts (Luke 10:7; Acts 16:15). Ecclesial Stability and Order Acts chronicles strategic ministry residencies—Paul at Corinth (Acts 18:3) and Caesarea (Acts 21:8), Peter at Joppa (Acts 9:43). These stays allowed doctrinal grounding, leadership development, and church consolidation. The verb highlights intentional, Spirit-led stability rather than aimless wandering. Eschatological Permanence Revelation 17:10 speaks of kings who “must remain for a little while,” underscoring God’s sovereignty over transient powers. By contrast, believers inherit a “lasting possession” (Hebrews 10:34) and seek “the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14). Μένω therefore punctuates the passing nature of earthly structures against the everlasting kingdom. Judgment on Unbelief Abiding is double-edged. John 3:36 warns that for the unbelieving, “the wrath of God remains on him.” John 9:41 and John 15:6 depict sin and judgment as abiding realities for those outside Christ. Relation to Covenant and Promise Hebrews 7:24: Jesus’ permanent priesthood “because He lives forever” anchors the New Covenant in an unchangeable mediator. The promise to Abraham “remained” (Romans 9:11), showcasing divine faithfulness across generations. Practical Discipleship Implications 1. Continual communion—daily Scripture intake and prayer nurture the experiential aspect of abiding. Summary Μένω weaves through the New Testament as a theological thread binding place, relationship, and eternity. It portrays the believer’s union with Christ, the constancy of Scripture, the Spirit’s indwelling, and the ultimate permanence of God’s kingdom, while exposing the fleeting nature of this world and the peril of unbelief. Thus the call to “remain” is simultaneously an invitation to rest in grace and a summons to steadfast obedience until faith becomes sight. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 10:11 V-AMA-2PGRK: ἐστιν κἀκεῖ μείνατε ἕως ἂν NAS: is worthy in it, and stay at his house KJV: and there abide till INT: is and there remain until anyhow Matthew 11:23 V-AIA-3S Matthew 26:38 V-AMA-2P Mark 6:10 V-PMA-2P Mark 14:34 V-AMA-2P Luke 1:56 V-AIA-3S Luke 8:27 V-IIA-3S Luke 9:4 V-PMA-2P Luke 10:7 V-PMA-2P Luke 19:5 V-ANA Luke 24:29 V-AMA-2S Luke 24:29 V-ANA John 1:32 V-AIA-3S John 1:33 V-PPA-ANS John 1:38 V-PIA-2S John 1:39 V-PIA-3S John 1:39 V-AIA-3P John 2:12 V-AIA-3P John 3:36 V-PIA-3S John 4:40 V-ANA John 4:40 V-AIA-3S John 5:38 V-PPA-AMS John 6:27 V-PPA-AFS John 6:56 V-PIA-3S John 7:9 V-AIA-3S Strong's Greek 3306 |
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