Topical Bible: Mere

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Definition and Etymology:
The term "mere" is not directly found in the Bible as a standalone word in the Berean Standard Bible translation. However, it is often used in English to denote something that is simple, pure, or absolute. In biblical contexts, it can be associated with concepts of purity, simplicity, or singularity of purpose.

Biblical Context and Usage:
While "mere" itself does not appear in the BSB, the concept of purity and simplicity is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of a pure heart and a singular devotion to God. For instance, in Matthew 5:8 , Jesus states, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." This verse underscores the value of purity and simplicity in one's spiritual life.

Related Concepts:

1. Purity of Heart:
The Bible often speaks of the need for a pure heart, which can be understood as having a "mere" or undivided devotion to God. Psalm 24:3-4 asks, "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully." This passage highlights the importance of purity in approaching God.

2. Simplicity in Faith:
The concept of simplicity, akin to "mere" faith, is evident in the call to trust God without complication or doubt. In 2 Corinthians 11:3 , Paul expresses concern for the Corinthians, saying, "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." Here, the emphasis is on maintaining a straightforward and sincere faith.

3. Singularity of Purpose:
The Bible encourages believers to have a singular focus on God, which can be seen as a "mere" dedication. In Philippians 3:13-14 , Paul writes, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." This passage reflects the idea of a focused and undistracted pursuit of God's calling.

Theological Implications:
The notion of "mere" in a biblical sense can be linked to the idea of living a life that is unencumbered by the complexities and distractions of the world. It calls for a return to the basics of faith—trusting God, loving others, and living in obedience to His commands. This simplicity is not about naivety but about a profound commitment to the core tenets of Christianity.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to cultivate a "mere" faith by focusing on the essentials of their relationship with God. This involves regular prayer, study of the Scriptures, and a commitment to living out one's faith in everyday life. By doing so, Christians can experience the peace and clarity that comes from a pure and simple devotion to God.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) A pool or lake.

2. (n.) A boundary.

3. (v. t.) To divide, limit, or bound.

4. (n.) A mare.

5. (Superl.) Unmixed; pure; entire; absolute; unqualified.

6. (Superl.) Only this, and nothing else; such, and no more; simple; bare; as, a mere boy; a mere form.

7. (n.) A combining form meaning part, portion; as, blastomere, epimere.

Greek

3441. monos -- alone
... word Definition alone NASB Word Usage alone (31), even (1), just (2), mere (1),
merely (2), only (18), only one (1), only thing (1), private (1), themselves* (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3441.htm - 7k

5326. phantasma -- an appearance, apparition
... spirit. From phantazo; (properly concrete) a (mere) show ("phantasm"), ie Spectre --
spirit. see GREEK phantazo. (phantasma) -- 2 Occurrences. 5325, 5326. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5326.htm - 6k

4434. ptochos -- (of one who crouches and cowers, hence) beggarly ...
... wealth) -- ie . 4434 () relates to "the pauper rather than the mere peasant,
the extreme opposite of the rich" (, 1, 371). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4434.htm - 8k

5590. psuche -- breath, the soul
... only; thus distinguished on the one hand from pneuma, which is the rational and
immortal soul; and on the other from zoe, which is mere vitality, even of plants ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5590.htm - 8k

1432. dorean -- as a gift, to no purpose
... 1432 (the adverbial form of 1431/) -- something done (as ), ie ""; unearned
(undeserved); freely given (without cost) hence not done out of mere obligation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1432.htm - 7k

3650. holos -- whole, complete
... and the root of the English term "whole") -- properly, , where the parts are present
and working as a -- ie as the total, which is greater than the mere sum of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3650.htm - 7k

2755. kenodoxos -- vainglorious
... of grandeur"; "groundless conceit" (); boasting "where there is nothing to boast
about; . .empty pride or conceit, mere pretentiousness" (FF Bruce ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2755.htm - 7k

5447. phusikos -- naturally, by nature
... nature, naturally. Cognate: 5447 (an adverb) -- properly, , ie acting by
mere instinct (used only in Jude 1:10). See 5449 (). Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5447.htm - 6k

4637. skenoo -- to have one's tent, dwell
... tabernacle. Cognate: 4637 -- properly, to pitch or live in a tent, "denoting
much more than the mere notion of dwelling" (M. Vincent). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4637.htm - 7k

1131. gumnos -- naked, poorly clothed
... Short Definition: wearing only the under-garment, bare Definition: rarely:
stark-naked; generally: wearing only the under-garment; bare, open, manifest; mere. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1131.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

389. ak -- surely, howbeit
... Usage altogether (1), certainly (1), completely (1), exactly (2), except (1), hardly*
(1), however (9), indeed (3), just (1), just* (1), mere (1), nevertheless ...
/hebrew/389.htm - 6k

3605. kol -- the whole, all
... 2), everywhere* (2), far (1), farthest (1), forever* (10), full (2), gaping (1),
health* (1), just* (6), life* (1), lifetime* (1), long* (9), mere (1), much (1 ...
/hebrew/3605.htm - 7k

4480. min -- from
... 2), gone (2), Hamites* (1), help* (1), high* (1), hovered* (2), including (1), inside*
(16), inward* (1), later* (1), leave* (7), left (1), mere (1), Mine (2 ...
/hebrew/4480.htm - 8k

1892. hebel -- vapor, breath
... breath NASB Word Usage breath (5), delusion (2), emptily (1), emptiness (2), fleeting
(2), fraud (1), futile (1), futility (13), idols (7), mere breath (2 ...
/hebrew/1892.htm - 6k

8193. saphah -- lip, speech, edge
... Usage babbling (2), bank (10), binding (2), brim (9), edge (17), empty (2), gossip*
(1), language (6), lip (1), lip service (1), lips (100), mere (1), seashore ...
/hebrew/8193.htm - 6k

1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be
... A primitive root (compare hava'); to exist, ie Be or become, come to pass (always
emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary) -- beacon, X altogether, be ...
/hebrew/1961.htm - 8k

8453. toshab -- a sojourner
... but not outlandish (nokriy)); especially (as distinguished from a native citizen
(active participle of yashab) and a temporary inmate (ger) or mere lodger (luwn ...
/hebrew/8453.htm - 6k

5892. iyr -- excitement
... plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; from uwr a city (a place guarded
by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or ...
/hebrew/5892.htm - 5k

Library

Whether Baptism is the Mere Washing?
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether Baptism is the mere washing?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism is not the mere washing. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether baptism is the mere.htm

Whether a Vow Consists in a Mere Purpose of the Will?
... SERVICE BY PROMISE (Q ) Whether a vow consists in a mere purpose of the will? ...
Therefore a vow consists in a mere purpose of the will. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a vow consists in.htm

April the Fourteenth Religion as Mere Magic
... APRIL The Fourteenth RELIGION AS MERE MAGIC. ... It can be so with a crucifix. A
crucifix may become a mere talisman, and so supplant the Lord. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/april the fourteenth religion as.htm

Sin not a Mere Negation.
... XII. Sin Not a Mere Negation. ... Dr. B??hl's theory, that sin is a mere loss, default,
or lack, is an error almost as critical as Manicheism. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xii sin not a mere.htm

Whether Corporeal Matter Obeys the Mere Will of an Angel?
... HOW ANGELS ACT ON BODIES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether corporeal matter obeys
the mere will of an angel? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether corporeal matter obeys the.htm

Whether the Contemplative Life Consists in the Mere Contemplation ...
... OF THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the contemplative life consists
in the mere contemplation of God, or also in the consideration of any truth ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the contemplative life consists.htm

Hence the Mere Word-Sages are Confuted, who Say and yet Act Not.
... Argument X."Hence the Mere Word-Sages are Confuted, Who Say and Yet Act
Not. Now I beg of the philosophers of this present time ...
/.../argument x hence the mere word-sages.htm

No Mere Metaphor in the Phrase Resurrection of the Dead in ...
... Chapter XXI."No Mere Metaphor in the Phrase Resurrection of the Dead In Proportion
to the Importance of Eternal Truths, is the Clearness of Their Scriptural ...
/.../tertullian/on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxi no mere metaphor in.htm

System of Marcus; a Mere Impostor; his Wicked Devices Upon the ...
... Book VI. Chapter XXXIV."System of Marcus; A Mere Impostor; His Wicked
Devices Upon the Eucharistic Cup. A certain other teacher ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxxiv system of marcus a.htm

Christians Unjustly Condemned for their Mere Name.
... Chapter IV."Christians unjustly condemned for their mere name. By the mere
application of a name, nothing is decided, either good ...
/.../the first apology of justin/chapter iv christians unjustly condemned for.htm

Thesaurus

Mere (56 Occurrences)
... 6. (Superl.) Only this, and nothing else; such, and no more; simple; bare; as, a
mere boy; a mere form. ... Multi-Version Concordance Mere (56 Occurrences). ...
/m/mere.htm - 22k

Foreknow (1 Occurrence)
... Divine foreknowledge is quite as inconsistent with this view of freedom as is the
Divine foreordination, the view of those who regard God as a mere onlooker on ...
/f/foreknow.htm - 36k

Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)
... Divine foreknowledge is quite as inconsistent with this view of freedom as is the
Divine foreordination, the view of those who regard God as a mere onlooker on ...
/f/foreknowledge.htm - 37k

Discrepancies
... Passing by the childish folly that would find a "discrepancy" in mere rhetorical
antitheses, such as that in Proverbs 26:4, 5 ("Answer not a fool," and "Answer ...
/d/discrepancies.htm - 20k

Flame (61 Occurrences)
... that believe on his name." When the title has such a range of application, it is
obvious that the Divinity of Christ cannot be inferred from the mere fact that ...
/f/flame.htm - 61k

Nehushtan (1 Occurrence)
... from their infatuation, and impress them with the idea of its worthlessness, Hezekiah
called it, in contempt, "Nehushtan," a brazen thing, a mere piece of ...
/n/nehushtan.htm - 11k

Worldly (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 3:1 And as for myself, brethren, I found it impossible to speak to
you as spiritual men. It had to be as to worldlings--mere babes in Christ. ...
/w/worldly.htm - 13k

Fragment (1 Occurrence)
... British and American) has in each instance "broken pieces." The change is important
because it shows that the pieces left over were not mere fragments or ...
/f/fragment.htm - 8k

Reality (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state or quality of being real; actual being
or existence of anything, in distinction from mere appearance; fact. ...
/r/reality.htm - 11k

Eternity (23 Occurrences)
... Timeless existence-being or entity without change-is what we here mean by eternity,
and not mere everlastingness or permanence through time. ...
/e/eternity.htm - 24k

Resources

What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org

Who is Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org

What is the purpose of the warning passages in Scripture? | GotQuestions.org

Mere: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Mere (56 Occurrences)

Matthew 15:9
but it is in vain they worship Me, while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'"
(WEY)

Matthew 16:17
"Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jonah," said Jesus; "for mere human nature has not revealed this to you, but my Father in Heaven.
(WEY)

Mark 6:8
He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse,
(See NAS)

Mark 7:7
But idle is their devotion while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'
(WEY)

Luke 11:35
Consider therefore whether the light that is in you is anything but mere darkness.
(WEY)

John 7:24
Don't judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
(See NIV)

John 7:46
"No mere man has ever spoken as this man speaks," said the officers.
(WEY)

John 10:33
The Jews answered him, "We don't stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God."
(See NIV)

John 11:51
It was not as a mere man that he thus spoke. But being High Priest that year he was inspired to declare that Jesus was to die for the nation,
(WEY)

Romans 9:20
Nay, but who are you, a mere man, that you should cavil against GOD? Shall the thing moulded say to him who moulded it, "Why have you made me thus?"
(WEY)

Romans 14:1
I now pass to another subject. Receive as a friend a man whose faith is weak, but not for the purpose of deciding mere matters of opinion.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 3:1
And as for myself, brethren, I found it impossible to speak to you as spiritual men. It had to be as to worldlings--mere babes in Christ.
(WEY NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:3
you are still unspiritual. For so long as jealousy and strife continue among you, can it be denied that you are unspiritual and are living and acting like mere men of the world?
(WEY NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:4
For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren't you fleshly?
(See NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 4:10
We, for Christ's sake, are labeled as "foolish"; you, as Christians, are men of shrewd intelligence. We are mere weaklings: you are strong. You are in high repute: we are outcasts.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 4:13
when slandered, we try to conciliate. We have come to be regarded as the mere dirt and filth of the world--the refuse of the universe, even to this hour.
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 11:21
I use the language of self-disparagement, as though I were admitting our own feebleness. Yet for whatever reason any one is 'courageous' --I speak in mere folly--I also am courageous.
(WEY)

Ephesians 2:19
You are therefore no longer mere foreigners or persons excluded from civil rights. On the contrary you share citizenship with God's people and are members of His family.
(WEY)

Colossians 2:17
which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.
(See NAS)

Colossians 2:22
referring to things which are all intended to be used up and perish--in obedience to mere human injunctions and teachings?
(WEY)

1 Thessalonians 2:6
nor did we seek glory either from you or from any other mere men, although we might have stood on our dignity as Christ's Apostles.
(WEY)

1 Thessalonians 2:13
And for this further reason we render unceasing thanks to God, that when you received God's Message from our lips, it was as no mere message from men that you embraced it, but as--what it really is--God's Message, which also does its work in the hearts of you who believe.
(WEY)

2 Thessalonians 3:11
For we hear that there are some of you who live disorderly lives and are mere idle busybodies.
(WEY RSV)

1 Timothy 1:4
and the attention they bestow on mere fables and endless pedigrees, such as lead to controversy rather than to a true stewardship for God, which only exists where there is faith. And I make the same request now.
(WEY NAS)

2 Timothy 2:14
Bring all this to men's remembrances, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about mere words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to the ruin of the hearers.
(WEY)

Titus 1:10
For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
(See NIV)

Hebrews 5:14
Such persons are mere babes. But solid food is for adults--that is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil.
(WEY)

Hebrews 9:24
For not into a Holy place built by men's hands--a mere copy of the reality--did Christ enter, but He entered Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
(WEY NAS)

James 1:22
But prove yourselves obedient to the Message, and do not be mere hearers of it, imposing a delusion upon yourselves.
(WEY NAS NIV)

James 3:5
In the same way the tongue is an insignificant part of the body, but it is immensely boastful. Remember how a mere spark may set a vast forest in flames.
(WEY)

James 4:16
But, as the case stands, it is in mere self-confidence that you boast: all such boasting is evil.
(WEY)

2 Peter 2:12
But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed,
(ASV)

Jude 1:10
But these, whatever things they know not, they speak railingly against; but what even, as the irrational animals, they understand by mere nature, in these things they corrupt themselves.
(DBY)

Jude 1:19
These are they who cause divisions, and are sensual, not having the Spirit.
(See NIV)

2 Kings 8:13
Hazael said, "But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?" Elisha answered, "Yahweh has shown me that you will be king over Syria."
(See NIV)

2 Kings 18:20
Thou sayest ( but they are but vain words ), There is counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?
(See JPS RSV)

Job 12:4
I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke.
(See NIV)

Job 41:9
Behold, the hope of him is in vain. Won't one be cast down even at the sight of him?
(See NIV)

Psalms 39:5
Behold, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." Selah.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 39:6
Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely they are disquieted in vain: He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
(See JPS NIV)

Psalms 39:11
When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." Selah.
(See NAS RSV)

Psalms 56:4
In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
(See NAS)

Psalms 82:7
Nevertheless you shall die like men, and fall like one of the rulers."
(See NIV)

Psalms 94:11
Yahweh knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
(See NAS)

Psalms 144:4
Man is like a breath: his life is like a shade which is quickly gone.
(See NAS)

Proverbs 14:23
In all hard work there is profit, but talk only makes a man poor.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 29:19
A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention.
(See RSV NIV)

Isaiah 3:4
And I will make children their chiefs, and foolish ones will have rule over them.
(See NAS NIV)

Isaiah 19:11
The chiefs of Zoan are completely foolish; the wisest guides of Pharaoh have become like beasts: how do you say to Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the offspring of early kings?
(See NAS)

Isaiah 36:5
You say you have a design and strength for war, but these are only words: now to whom are you looking for support, that you have gone against my authority?
(See RSV)

Isaiah 44:11
Behold, all his fellows will be disappointed; and the workmen are mere men. Let them all be gathered together. Let them stand up. They will fear. They will be put to shame together.
(WEB NAS)

Isaiah 50:2
Why, then, when I came, was there no man? and no one to give answer to my voice? has my hand become feeble, so that it is unable to take up your cause? or have I no power to make you free? See, at my word the sea becomes dry, I make the rivers a waste land: their fish are dead for need of water, and make an evil smell.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 57:13
Your false gods will not keep you safe in answer to your cry; but the wind will take them, they will be gone like a breath: but he who puts his hope in me will take the land, and will have my holy mountain as his heritage.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 65:20
No longer will there be there a child whose days are cut short, or an old man whose days have not come to their full measure: for the young man at his death will be a hundred years old, and he whose life is shorter than a hundred years will seem as one cursed.
(See NIV)

Lamentations 3:45
You have made us an off-scouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples.
(See NAS)

Hosea 10:4
They speak mere words, swearing falsely in making a covenant; therefore shall judgment spring up as hemlock in the furrows of the fields.
(DBY NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Mere

Related Terms

Mered's (1 Occurrence)

Bithiah (2 Occurrences)

Bithia (1 Occurrence)

Bith'i-ah (1 Occurrence)

Heber (13 Occurrences)

Merely (30 Occurrences)

Pharaoh's (72 Occurrences)

Mere (56 Occurrences)

Zanoah (5 Occurrences)