Topical Encyclopedia
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
...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....
4434. ptochos -- (of one who crouches and cowers, hence) beggarly...
... wealth) -- ie . 4434 () relates to "the pauper rather than themere peasant,
the extreme opposite of the rich" (, 1, 371). Word Origin...
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 ismere vitality, even of plants...
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 ofmere obligation...
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 themere sum of...
2755. kenodoxos -- vainglorious
... of grandeur"; "groundless conceit" (); boasting "where there is nothing to boast
about; . .empty pride or conceit,mere pretentiousness" (FF Bruce...
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...
4637. skenoo -- to have one's tent, dwell
... tabernacle. Cognate: 4637 -- properly, to pitch or live in a tent, "denoting
much more than themere notion of dwelling" (M. Vincent)....
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....
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
...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...
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...
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...
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...
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 amere copula or auxiliary) -- beacon, X altogether, be...
8453. toshab -- a sojourner
... but not outlandish (nokriy)); especially (as distinguished from a native citizen
(active participle of yashab) and a temporary inmate (ger) ormere lodger (luwn...
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 amere encampment or...
Library
Whether Baptism is theMere Washing?
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether Baptism is themere washing?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism is not themere washing....
Whether a Vow Consists in aMere Purpose of the Will?
... SERVICE BY PROMISE (Q ) Whether a vow consists in amere purpose of the will?...
Therefore a vow consists in amere purpose of the will....
April the Fourteenth Religion asMere Magic
... APRIL The Fourteenth RELIGION ASMERE MAGIC.... It can be so with a crucifix. A
crucifix may become amere talisman, and so supplant the Lord....
Sin not aMere Negation.
... XII. Sin Not aMere Negation.... Dr. B??hl's theory, that sin is amere loss, default,
or lack, is an error almost as critical as Manicheism....
Whether Corporeal Matter Obeys theMere Will of an Angel?
... HOW ANGELS ACT ON BODIES (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether corporeal matter obeys
themere will of an angel? Objection 1: It would seem that...
Whether the Contemplative Life Consists in theMere Contemplation...
... OF THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the contemplative life consists
in themere contemplation of God, or also in the consideration of any truth...
Hence theMere Word-Sages are Confuted, who Say and yet Act Not.
... Argument X."Hence theMere Word-Sages are Confuted, Who Say and Yet Act
Not. Now I beg of the philosophers of this present time...
NoMere Metaphor in the Phrase Resurrection of the Dead in...
... Chapter XXI."NoMere Metaphor in the Phrase Resurrection of the Dead In Proportion
to the Importance of Eternal Truths, is the Clearness of Their Scriptural...
System of Marcus; aMere Impostor; his Wicked Devices Upon the...
... Book VI. Chapter XXXIV."System of Marcus; AMere Impostor; His Wicked
Devices Upon the Eucharistic Cup. A certain other teacher...
Christians Unjustly Condemned for theirMere Name.
... Chapter IV."Christians unjustly condemned for theirmere name. By themere
application of a name, nothing is decided, either good...
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).
...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 amere onlooker on...
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 amere onlooker on...
Discrepancies
... Passing by the childish folly that would find a "discrepancy" inmere rhetorical
antitheses, such as that in Proverbs 26:4, 5 ("Answer not a fool," and "Answer...
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 themere fact that...
Nehushtan (1 Occurrence)
... from their infatuation, and impress them with the idea of its worthlessness, Hezekiah
called it, in contempt, "Nehushtan," a brazen thing, amere piece of...
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....
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 notmere fragments or...
Reality (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state or quality of being real; actual being
or existence of anything, in distinction frommere appearance; fact....
Eternity (23 Occurrences)
... Timeless existence-being or entity without change-is what we here mean by eternity,
and notmere everlastingness or permanence through time....
Resources
What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.orgWho is Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the purpose of the warning passages in Scripture? | GotQuestions.orgMere: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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