Lexical Summary mé pós: Lest somehow, lest perhaps, in case Original Word: μὴ πώς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lestOr me pos (may poce) from me and pos; lest somehow -- lest (by any means, by some means, haply, perhaps). see GREEK me see GREEK pos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee mé and pós Definition lest perhaps, whether perhaps NASB Translation fear (2), otherwise (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3381: μήπωςμήπως (G T, or μή πῶς L Tr WH) (μή and πῶς), (from Homer down); 1. a conjunction, lest in any way, lest perchance; a. in final sentences, with an aorist subjunctive, preceded by a present 1 Corinthians 9:27; preceded by an aorist, 2 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Corinthians 9:4. b. after verbs of fearing, taking heed: with an aorist subjunctive — after βλέπειν, 1 Corinthians 8:9; after φοβεῖσθαι, Acts 27:29 R; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; with a perfect indicative, to indicate that what is feared has actually taken place (Winer's Grammar, § 56, 2 b. α.; Buttmann, 242 (209)), Galatians 4:11; with an aorist subjunctive, the idea of fearing being suppressed, Romans 11:21 Rec. (Buttmann, § 148, 10; cf. Winer's Grammar, 474 (442)). 2. an interrogative particle, whether in any way, whether by any means: in an indirect question, with an indicative present (of a thing still continuing) and aorist (of a thing already done), Galatians 2:2 (I laid before them the gospel etc., namely, inquiring, whether haply etc.; Paul expects a negative answer, by which lie wished his teaching concerning Christ to be approved by the apostles at Jerusalem, yet by no means because he himself had any doubt about its soundness, but that his adversaries might not misuse the authority of those apostles in assailing tiffs teaching, and thereby frustrate his past and present endeavors; cf. Holmann at the passage (Buttmann, 353 (303). Others, however, take τρέχω as a subjunctive, and render lest haply I should be running etc.; see Winer's Grammar, 504f (470), cf. Ellicott at the passage)). with the indicative (of a thing perhaps already done, but which the writer wishes had not been done) and the aorist subjunctive (of a thing future and uncertain, which he desires God to avert) in one and the same sentence, 1 Thessalonians 3:5 (where μήπως depends on γνῶναι; cf. Schott, Lünemann (Ellicott), at the passage; (Buttmann, 353 (304); Winer's Grammar, 505 (470))). μὴ πώς “not somehow” combines the prohibitive μή with the interrogative πῶς (“how, in what way”). Though the exact collocation is absent from the Greek New Testament, its sense surfaces in the closely related adverb μήπως (Strong’s 3380) and the particle μήποτε (Strong’s 3379). Together these forms convey a mindset of vigilance: avoiding an unwanted outcome by taking heed in thought, practice, and prayer. Scriptural Motifs Expressed by μὴ πώς 1. Guarding the purity of the gospel (Galatians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 11:3). Although each of the above verses employs μήπως or μήποτε, the thematic force matches what μὴ πώς would have signified: “take care lest, by any means, an undesired outcome happen.” Historical and Septuagint Background In the Septuagint the construction μή πῶς or μήπως frequently warns against covenant unfaithfulness (Deuteronomy 12:30), misplaced confidence (Jeremiah 17:18 LXX numbering), and moral negligence (Proverbs 5:9). Early Christian writers adopted the same idiom, reinforcing the apostolic pattern of urging believers to heed spiritual danger signals. Ministry Significance 1. Pastoral Oversight: Paul’s fear “that somehow (μήπως) the tempter had tempted you” (1 Thessalonians 3:5) shapes modern pastoral vigilance. Leader and congregation alike remain alert to spiritual drift. Doctrinal Reflections • Human Responsibility and Divine Sovereignty: The exhortations introduced by μήπως or μήποτε presume real consequences for negligence, yet always within the promise of God’s preserving grace (Philippians 2:12-13). Practical Applications • Examine motives in ministry ventures, asking, “Is there any way (μὴ πώς) this plan could obscure Christ?” Homiletical Aids Sermons can frame μὴ πώς as the spiritual “yellow light” that prompts pause and evaluation before proceeding. Illustrate with: Conclusion Even without a direct New Testament occurrence, μὴ πώς stands behind a rich vocabulary of godly caution, urging believers to live alert, responsible, and grace-dependent lives, “so that no one (μή τις) falls short of the grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15). Englishman's Concordance μὴν — 1 Occ.μὴν — 1 Occ. μῆνα — 2 Occ. μῆνας — 14 Occ. μηνὶ — 1 Occ. ἐμήνυσεν — 1 Occ. μηνύσαντα — 1 Occ. μηνύσῃ — 1 Occ. μηνυθείσης — 1 Occ. Μήποτε — 1 Occ. μηρὸν — 1 Occ. μήτε — 34 Occ. μήτηρ — 32 Occ. μητέρα — 26 Occ. μητέρας — 2 Occ. μητρὶ — 11 Occ. μητρὸς — 12 Occ. μήτι — 17 Occ. μήτιγε — 1 Occ. μήτραν — 1 Occ. |
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