Lexical Summary monon: only, alone Original Word: μόνον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance alone, but, only. Neuter of monos as adverb; merely -- alone, but, only. see GREEK monos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from monos Definition merely NASB Translation only (53), simply (2). Topical Lexicon Meaning in ContextStrong’s Greek 3440 underscores exclusivity—restricting action, attention, or status to one object, person, or means. It is the New Testament’s ordinary way to mark something as “this and no other,” “this alone,” or “nothing more than this.” Occurrences and Contexts in the Gospels 1. Limiting faith to Christ’s word: “But just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). The centurion trusts nothing else—only Jesus’ command. Luke–Acts: Salvation Outreach Luke highlights the shift from a restricted to an inclusive gospel. Jewish believers scattered by persecution preached “to Jews only” (Acts 11:19), yet God quickly expands the mission. Peter’s message falls “on them just as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15), erasing the “only” boundary. In Acts 19:26 the Ephesian craftsmen complain that Paul has persuaded people “that gods made by hands are not gods at all,” leaving them with “no little danger.” The exclusive claim of Christ threatens idolatry’s economy. Johannine Witness John exposes false limitations people wished to place on Jesus. The Jews sought to kill Him “because He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:18)—not merely breaking Sabbath regulations. In prayer Jesus widens the focus beyond the apostles: “I am not asking on behalf of them only, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their word” (John 17:20). Grace shatters ethnic and temporal confines. Pauline Usage 1. Universal guilt and universal justification: “Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles as well? Yes, of Gentiles also” (Romans 3:29). The exclusive term demolishes national limitation and therefore opens a worldwide gospel. Eschatological Perspective Hebrews contrasts the present, fragile order with the coming, unshakable kingdom: “His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also heaven’” (Hebrews 12:26). The final shaking will leave one realm standing. Theological Themes 1. Exclusiveness of Christ’s merits—He alone saves. Historical and Ministry Significance Early believers faced constant temptation to add something—ritual, philosophy, political power—to the simple sufficiency of Christ. Strong’s 3440 provided a linguistic fence, preserving apostolic doctrine against syncretism. Throughout church history reform movements have rallied around the same word to insist on Scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, and God’s glory alone. Practical Exhortations • Anchor hope beyond this life only (1 Corinthians 15:19). Through these sixty–seven occurrences, Strong’s 3440 calls every generation to unwavering devotion to the Lord who alone is worthy. Forms and Transliterations μονον μόνον μονόρχις μονώτατον monon mónonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 5:47 AdvGRK: ἀδελφοὺς ὑμῶν μόνον τί περισσὸν NAS: If you greet only your brothers, what KJV: your brethren only, what do INT: brothers of you only what extraordinary Matthew 8:8 Adv Matthew 9:21 Adv Matthew 10:42 Adv Matthew 14:36 Adv Matthew 17:8 Adv Matthew 21:19 Adv Matthew 21:21 Adv Mark 5:36 Adv Mark 6:8 Adv Mark 9:8 Adj-AMS Luke 8:50 Adv John 5:18 Adv John 11:52 Adv John 12:9 Adv John 13:9 Adv John 17:20 Adv Acts 8:16 Adv Acts 11:19 Adv Acts 18:25 Adv Acts 19:26 Adv Acts 19:27 Adv Acts 21:13 Adv Acts 26:29 Adv Acts 27:10 Adv |
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