Original Word: μένω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: menó
Pronunciation: meh'-no
Phonetic Spelling: (men'-o)
KJV: abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own
NASB: abides, remain, abide, stay, stayed, remains, remained
Word Origin: [a primary verb]
1. to remain
2. (in a place) to abide, to stay
3. (of expectancy) to await
4. (in a state) to continue
5. (in a task) to endure
6. (of a relationship) to exist permanently in, inseparably united (inhere, adhere)
A 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.
[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.
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• Fruitfulness: "Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit" (John 15:5). Lasting spiritual productivity flows from continual communion.
• Security: In the High Priestly flavor of 1 John, abiding safeguards against deception: "As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you" (1 John 2:27).
• Eschatological confidence: "Now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence" (1 John 2:28).
• The gospel seed is imperishable and "remains in him" who is born of God (1 John 3:9).
• Spiritual maturity is linked to the word’s continual residence: "The word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one" (1 John 2:14).
2. Corporate life—commitment to local fellowship reflects the New Testament pattern of remaining together for edification (Acts 20:5).
3. Moral steadfastness—ongoing obedience evidences genuine faith (John 8:31; 1 John 3:24).
4. Missional patience—long-term presence in communities can be strategic for gospel penetration, mirroring Paul’s extended stays.
5. Eschatological hope—fixing on what remains cultivates endurance amid suffering (Philippians 1:25; 2 Timothy 2:13).
Matthew 11:23 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἐν σοί ἔμεινεν ἂν μέχρι
NAS: which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day.
INT: in you it had remained anyhow until
Matthew 26:38 V-AMA-2P
GRK: ἕως θανάτου μείνατε ὧδε καὶ
NAS: of death; remain here
KJV: even unto death: tarry ye here, and
INT: even to death remain here and
Mark 6:10 V-PMA-2P
GRK: οἰκίαν ἐκεῖ μένετε ἕως ἂν
NAS: you enter a house, stay there until
KJV: an house, there abide till ye depart
INT: a house there remain until anyhow
Mark 14:34 V-AMA-2P
GRK: ἕως θανάτου μείνατε ὧδε καὶ
NAS: of death; remain here
KJV: unto death: tarry ye here, and
INT: even to death remain here and
Luke 1:56 V-AIA-3S
GRK: Ἔμεινεν δὲ Μαριὰμ
NAS: And Mary stayed with her about three
KJV: And Mary abode with her
INT: abode moreover Mary
Luke 8:27 V-IIA-3S
GRK: οἰκίᾳ οὐκ ἔμενεν ἀλλ' ἐν
NAS: time, and was not living in a house,
KJV: clothes, neither abode in [any] house,
INT: a house not did abide but in
Luke 9:4 V-PMA-2P
GRK: εἰσέλθητε ἐκεῖ μένετε καὶ ἐκεῖθεν
NAS: house you enter, stay there until
KJV: into, there abide, and thence
INT: you might enter there remain and from there
Luke 10:7 V-PMA-2P
GRK: τῇ οἰκίᾳ μένετε ἐσθίοντες καὶ
NAS: Stay in that house, eating
KJV: the same house remain, eating and
INT: house abide eating and
Luke 19:5 V-ANA
GRK: δεῖ με μεῖναι
NAS: for today I must stay at your house.
KJV: I must abide at thy
INT: it behoves me to remain
Luke 24:29 V-AMA-2S
GRK: αὐτὸν λέγοντες Μεῖνον μεθ' ἡμῶν
NAS: Him, saying, Stay with us, for it is [getting] toward
KJV: him, saying, Abide with us:
INT: him saying Abide with us
Luke 24:29 V-ANA
GRK: εἰσῆλθεν τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς
NAS: So He went in to stay with them.
KJV: And he went in to tarry with them.
INT: he entered in to abide with them
John 1:32 V-AIA-3S
GRK: οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἔμεινεν ἐπ' αὐτόν
NAS: out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.
KJV: a dove, and it abode upon him.
INT: heaven and it remained upon him
John 1:33 V-PPA-ANS
GRK: καταβαῖνον καὶ μένον ἐπ' αὐτόν
NAS: descending and remaining upon Him, this
KJV: descending, and remaining on him,
INT: descending and abiding on him
John 1:38 V-PIA-2S
GRK: Διδάσκαλε ποῦ μένεις
NAS: Teacher), where are You staying?
KJV: Master,) where dwellest thou?
INT: Teacher where abide you
John 1:39 V-PIA-3S
GRK: εἶδαν ποῦ μένει καὶ παρ'
NAS: where He was staying; and they stayed
KJV: saw where he dwelt, and abode
INT: saw where he abides and with
John 1:39 V-AIA-3P
GRK: παρ' αὐτῷ ἔμειναν τὴν ἡμέραν
NAS: He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day,
KJV: he dwelt, and abode with him
INT: with him they abode the day
John 2:12 V-AIA-3P
GRK: καὶ ἐκεῖ ἔμειναν οὐ πολλὰς
NAS: and His disciples; and they stayed there
KJV: and they continued there
INT: and there they abode not many
John 3:36 V-PIA-3S
GRK: τοῦ θεοῦ μένει ἐπ' αὐτόν
NAS: but the wrath of God abides on him.
KJV: the wrath of God abideth on him.
INT: of God abides on him
John 4:40 V-ANA
GRK: ἠρώτων αὐτὸν μεῖναι παρ' αὐτοῖς
NAS: to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed
KJV: him that he would tarry with
INT: they asked him to abide with them
John 4:40 V-AIA-3S
GRK: αὐτοῖς καὶ ἔμεινεν ἐκεῖ δύο
NAS: Him to stay with them; and He stayed there
KJV: them: and he abode there two
INT: them and he abode there two
John 5:38 V-PPA-AMS
GRK: ἐν ὑμῖν μένοντα ὅτι ὃν
NAS: His word abiding in you, for you do not believe
KJV: his word abiding in you:
INT: in you abiding for whom
John 6:27 V-PPA-AFS
GRK: βρῶσιν τὴν μένουσαν εἰς ζωὴν
NAS: but for the food which endures to eternal
KJV: which endureth unto
INT: food which abides unto life
John 6:56 V-PIA-3S
GRK: ἐν ἐμοὶ μένει κἀγὼ ἐν
NAS: My blood abides in Me, and I in him.
KJV: my blood, dwelleth in me,
INT: in me abides and I in
John 7:9 V-AIA-3S
GRK: εἰπὼν αὐτὸς ἔμεινεν ἐν τῇ
NAS: these things to them, He stayed in Galilee.
KJV: unto them, he abode [still] in
INT: having said to them he remained in
Strong's Greek 3306
118 Occurrences
ἐμείναμεν — 2 Occ.
ἔμειναν — 2 Occ.
ἔμεινεν — 10 Occ.
ἔμενεν — 3 Occ.
ἔμενον — 1 Occ.
μεῖναι — 6 Occ.
μείνατε — 5 Occ.
μείνῃ — 6 Occ.
μείνητε — 2 Occ.
μείνωσιν — 3 Occ.
Μεῖνον — 1 Occ.
μεμενήκεισαν — 1 Occ.
μένε — 1 Occ.
μένῃ — 4 Occ.
μένητε — 1 Occ.
μένει — 29 Occ.
μένειν — 5 Occ.
μένεις — 1 Occ.
μενεῖτε — 2 Occ.
μένετε — 6 Occ.
μενέτω — 5 Occ.
μένω — 2 Occ.
μένων — 7 Occ.
μένομεν — 1 Occ.
μένον — 3 Occ.
μένοντα — 1 Occ.
μένοντος — 1 Occ.
μένουσαν — 5 Occ.
μένουσιν — 2 Occ.