Please note that all Biblical quotes, in this and all other lessons posted to Greek Thoughts, are from The Literal English Translation of the Bible produced by BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America.
This week we begin a study of the word μὲνω (meno — Strong's #3306), which means to dwell, to remain, or to abide. The use of this word in the Greek New Testament is important in describing the relationship between the believer and Christ. In this study, we will establish its meaning through an examination of its many uses in scripture.
The normal use of μὲνω is exemplified in Luke 1:56: "And Mariam remained (μὲνω) with her about three months, and returned unto her house." This normal use of μὲνω describes Mary as staying or abiding with Elizabeth.
In the following scriptures, μὲνω is used to describe the spiritual condition of people, whether they are believing or unbelieving:
John 12:46: "I have come as a light into the world, in order that everyone believing into Me should not abide (μὲνω) in the darkness." Jesus uses μὲνω to describe the unbeliever as abiding in darkness.
John 6:56: "The one eating My flesh and drinking My blood is abiding (μὲνω) in Me, and I in him." In this scripture, Jesus uses μὲνω to express the relationship between Himself and believers.
John 15:4-7: "Abide (μὲνω) in Me, and I in you. According as the branch is not able to produce fruit from itself, unless it should abide (μὲνω) in the vine, in this way neither can you unless you should abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one abiding (μὲνω) in Me, and I in him, this one is producing much fruit, because without Me you are not able to do one thing. If someone should not abide (μὲνω) in Me, he is thrown out as the branch and is dried up; and they gather them, and they throw it into the fire, and it is burned. If you should abide (μὲνω) in Me, and My words should abide (μὲνω) in you, whatever you should desire you will ask, and it will happen to you." In these verses, Jesus again uses μὲνω to describe His relationship with believers. He teaches that the one who is abiding in Him is the one who is feeding on Him and depending on His atoning death for redemption. Jesus then says that the one who is abiding in Him "is producing much fruit." This is a statement of fact, not a challenge. The Spirit of God produces the fruit because the believer is dwelling or abiding in Him, and He in him. The one who is not abiding in the Lord does not produce fruit and is therefore cast out. Jesus then describes the believer as one having His words abiding in him. Because of this, the believer will pray according to the Lord's Word; and, consequently, his prayers will be answered.
1 Peter 1:23-25: "…having been born, not from out of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, through the Word of God which is living and abiding (μὲνω) forever. Because 'All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass; the grass was withered, and the flower of it fell off, but the Word of the Lord is abiding (μὲνω) forever.' And this is the Word which has been preached unto you." Peter uses μὲνω in these verses to describe a believer's new birth.
In his letters, John uses μὲνω as he lists some things, which abide or dwell in the life of the believer:
1 John 2:27: "And the anointing which you received from Him is abiding (μὲνω) in you, and you have no need in order that anyone should teach you, but as the same anointing is teaching you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and according as it taught you, abide (μὲνω) in Him." John is speaking here of the abiding of the Anointing.
1 John 3:15-17: "Everyone hating the brother is a murderer, and you know that every murderer does not have eternal life abiding (μὲνω) in him. In this we have known the love, because that One laid down His life on behalf of us; and we are indebted to lay down our lives on behalf of the brothers. Whoever should have the means of life of the world, and should observe his brother having need, and should shut up his bowels from him, how is the love of God abiding (μὲνω) in him?" In these verses, we see John stating that the believer has the love of God dwelling or abiding in him.
2 John 1-2: "The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all the ones who have known the truth, on account of the truth which is abiding (μὲνω) in us, and will be with us forever." Here John uses μὲνω to teach that the truth dwells or abides in believers.
We have taken just a sampling of how the word μὲνω is used in the New Testament, finding that the word denotes a permanency of something or someone dwelling or abiding. Next week we will focus on how μὲνω is used to describe the permanence of the believer in Christ, and Christ in him. This study is of the utmost importance because of teachings circulating today, which states that a believer must practice certain mental principles in order to "remain" or to continue to "dwell" in Christ.
*MENO is the English font spelling of the Greek word μὲνω.
Copyright Statement
'Greek Thoughts' Copyright 2024© Bill Klein. 'Greek Thoughts' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each article, along with a link to https://www.studylight.org/language-studies/greek-thoughts.html 2) 'Greek Thoughts' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.
Bill Klein has been a pastor, counselor, and educator for the past 41 years. He has had extensive training and education in biblical languages, and has authored a Biblical Greek course.
He is currently serving as Professor of Biblical Greek at Master's Graduate School of Divinity, and president of BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America, a non-profit organization located in California that provides Bible study tapes and Greek study materials through their website BTEMinistries.org.