Topical Encyclopedia
The term "abides" in the Bible often conveys the idea of remaining, dwelling, or continuing in a particular state or relationship. It is a significant concept in both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the enduring presence and faithfulness of God, as well as the call for believers to remain steadfast in their faith and relationship with Him.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "abide" is יָשַׁב (yashab), which means to sit, dwell, or remain. This term is frequently used to describe God's enduring presence with His people. For example, in
Psalm 125:1, it is written, "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever." Here, the psalmist emphasizes the stability and permanence of those who trust in God, likening them to Mount Zion, which stands firm and unshakable.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the Greek word μένω (meno) is commonly translated as "abide." This term is particularly prominent in the writings of the Apostle John. In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate the importance of abiding in Him.
John 15:4 states, "Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me." This passage highlights the necessity of a continuous, life-giving connection with Christ for spiritual fruitfulness.
The concept of abiding is also central to the epistles of John. In 1
John 2:24, believers are exhorted, "As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning abide in you. If it does, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father." This verse underscores the importance of holding fast to the teachings of Christ and maintaining a close relationship with God.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, abiding is associated with the believer's union with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It implies a mutual relationship where the believer remains in Christ, and Christ remains in the believer. This abiding relationship is characterized by love, obedience, and the bearing of spiritual fruit. In
John 15:9-10, Jesus says, "As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love."
Practical ApplicationPractically, abiding involves a daily commitment to live in accordance with God's Word and to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Him through prayer, worship, and obedience. It is a call to remain faithful and steadfast, even in the face of trials and challenges. The promise of abiding is the assurance of God's presence and the experience of His peace and joy, as expressed in
John 15:11: "I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete."
ConclusionThe concept of abiding is integral to understanding the Christian life as one of ongoing relationship and communion with God. It is both a divine invitation and a command, promising spiritual vitality and eternal security for those who remain in Christ.
Greek
3887. parameno -- to remain beside or near... Word Origin from para and meno Definition to remain beside or near NASB Word Usage
abides (1), continue (1), continuing (1). abide, continue.
...3306. meno -- to stay, abide, remain
... verb Definition to stay, abide, remain NASB Word Usage abide (16),abides (22),
abiding (4), await (1), continue (4), continues (1), endures (3), enduring (1...
Strong's Hebrew
3427. yashab -- to sit, remain, dwell... root Definition to sit, remain, dwell NASB Word Usage abide (5),
abides (2), abode
(1), convened (1), dwell (61), dweller (1), dwelling (20), dwells (12
...7931. shakan -- to settle down, abide, dwell
... root Definition to settle down, abide, dwell NASB Word Usage abide (1), abide*
(1),abides (1), camping (1), continue (1), dwell (56), dwellers (1), dwelling (...
Library
What Passes and whatAbides
... ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHER WHAT PASSES AND WHATABIDES. 'One generation
passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the...
Whether the Will is Good when itAbides by Erring Reason?
... OF THE GOODNESS AND MALICE OF THE INTERIOR ACT OF THE WILL (TEN ARTICLES)
Whether the will is good when itabides by erring reason?...
How ChristAbides with Believers to the End of the Age, and...
... Tenth Book. 8. How ChristAbides with Believers to the End of the Age,
and Whether HeAbides with Them After that Consummation....
The Wrath of GodAbides Upon those who Believe not this Gospel. .....
... First Head of Doctrine. Divine Election and Reprobation Article 4 The wrath
of Godabides upon those who believe not this gospel.?...
Having Proved Above that the SpiritAbides and Speaks in the...
... Having proved above that the Spiritabides and speaks in the prophets? Having proved
above that the Spiritabides and speaks in the prophets, St....
Why his Brothers are not Called to the Wedding; and Why HeAbides...
... Tenth Book. 7. Why His Brothers are Not Called to the Wedding; And Why
HeAbides at Capernaum Not Many Days. But we must ask why...
Psalm 136:2. As the 148Th Psalm. God's Wonders of Creation...
... Thy mercy, Lord, Shall still endure; And ever sureAbides thy word.... Thy mercy,
Lord, Shall still endure; And ever sureAbides thy word....
Psalm 136 God's Wonders of Creation, Providence, Redemption of...
... Shall still endure; And ever sure.Abides thy word. His wisdom framed the sun.... Shall
still endure; And ever sure.Abides thy word. His power and lifted rod....
What Lasts
... for which he can only afford a singular verb, are thereby declared to be in their
depth and essence one thing, and it, the triple star,abides, and continues...
Abide
... ABIDE. Abide in Me, and I in You"John 15..4. When a new graft is placed in a vine
and itabides there, there is a twofold process that takes place....
Thesaurus
Abides (37 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Abides (37 Occurrences).
... (See NAS RSV). John 8:35 Now the
bondman
abides not in the house for ever: the son
abides for ever. (DBY).
...Eternity (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:25 but the word of the Lordabides for eternity.... (DBY). 2 John 1:2 for
the truth's sake whichabides in us and shall be with us to eternity. (DBY)....
Bondman (108 Occurrences)
... the bondman of sin. (DBY). John 8:35 Now the bondmanabides not in the
house for ever: the sonabides for ever. (DBY). John 13:16...
Judaeus
... Yet, men must return to God, but Heabides so remote, in the realm of pure
contemplation and completion, that He cannot approach them....
Philo
... Yet, men must return to God, but Heabides so remote, in the realm of pure
contemplation and completion, that He cannot approach them....
Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)
... undergo is the Lord. (WEY). 2 Timothy 2:13 if we are unfaithful, heabides
faithful, for he cannot deny himself. (DBY). James 4:4...
Unction (2 Occurrences)
... 1 John 2:27 and yourselves, the unction which ye have received from himabides in
you, and ye have not need that any one should teach you; but as the same...
Introduced (7 Occurrences)
... RSV). 2 Corinthians 3:11 For if that annulled was introduced with glory, much
rather that whichabides subsists in glory. (DBY). Galatians...
Fixes (3 Occurrences)
... James 1:25 But he that fixes his view on the perfect law, that of liberty, andabides
in it, being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, he shall be...
Abidest (5 Occurrences)
Resources
What is divine simplicity? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the key to bearing fruit as a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to abide in Christ? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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