Abide
epimeno
(1961)
remain, persevere, stay, tarry
Outline of Biblical Usage
Word Origin Insights
Meno can mean "to take up permanent residence" or "to make yourself at home." Meno is the root of the Greek noun mone which means mansion or habitation (Jn 14:2, 23).
Epimeno intensifies this idea, often emphasizing a committed or enduring form of remaining, staying steadfast in a particular place, state, or condition.
Usages
Persisting in Belief or Teaching
In Romans 6:1, Paul uses epimeno to ask, "Shall we continue (epimeno) in sin so that grace may increase?" Here, it implies a persistence in sin that contradicts the new life in Christ. The word here suggests the idea of persisting in a state or pattern, but in this case, a pattern of sin rather than righteousness.
Continuing in Faith and Practice
In Philippians 1:24, Paul says that it is "more necessary for you that I remain (epimeno) in the flesh." Here, epimeno is used in the sense of remaining physically alive and present for the benefit of the Philippians, showing Paul's commitment to their spiritual growth. It implies staying the course in a way that benefits others and aligns with God’s purposes.
Enduring Through Trials
In Acts 13:43, epimeno is used to encourage the believers to "continue (epimeno) in the grace of God." Here, it means to stay steadfastly within the grace that God provides, despite any challenges or pressures. This usage highlights the sense of endurance and steadfast commitment in one's relationship with God.
Commentaries
"Menó is practical and warmly personal; it is definite and understandable; it is too common a word for the theoloigcal elite. It is the word for amatuers who know how to settle into a genuine relationship and enjoy the fellowship and the view."
Name
Palmer
The word meno functions on two levels of meaning in the Bible. First, it relates to rather common concepts of life. Living in a house (John 1:38) is described by the word. It is used of Jesus' visit to Zaccheus (Luke 19:5) and Peter's presence at Simon's tannery (Acts 9:43). It also referred to the place where Paul was held under house arrest (28:16), known in Latin as custodia libera, literally, "free custody." A second slant takes the word into the realm of the spiritual. Christians are urged to make the Lord their place of abode, to persevere. In fact the Greek word for perseverance is hupomeno, a combination of the prefix hupo (under, as in under the rule or sovereignty of someone) and meno (to remain). So the combination word conveys the concept of continuing under the rule or sovereignty of the Lord. That is biblical steadfastness or perseverance. Now let us explore the biblical connections of this word. By its primary form of meno (to remain) Christians are instructed to remain in "the teaching" (2 John 9), Christ's word (John 8:31), and in the love of the Lord (John 15:9). This continuance is related to Christ (John 15:4-5), the Father (1 John 2:24), and the Holy Spirit (John 14:17) who remain with us. In the Apostle Paul's great "Psalm of Love" (1 Cor. 13), we are told that faith, hope, and love remain (1 Cor 13:13). Steadfast staying power is part and parcel of biblical Christian living. (New Testament Words in Today's Language)
Name
Wayne Detzler
Quote
“If you think you can bring forth fruit without union to Christ, you are woefully mistaken. Only by abiding in Him, and drawing sap and life from Him, can you bring forth fruit acceptable to God.”
Name
Charles Spurgeon
“We need only to sink down into our own helplessness, as we wait on God to work, and yield ourselves to His mighty working. We then remain in Him, as the branch in the vine, to bear much fruit, by patient abiding.”
Name
Andrew Murray
“Nothing whatever, whether great or small, can happen to a believer, without God’s ordering and permission. There is no such thing as chance, luck, or accident in the Christian journey. We may have to wait long, yet wait we must, for His promises do not fail.”
Name
J.C. Ryle
Suggested Books
Have a Suggestion?
This site is currently in beta testing. If there's anything you’d like to see changed or added, feel free to send us a message!