What’s In A Word: Abide

John 15:4 (ESV)—

‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.’

We have spent the week deep-diving into the word of God, one word at a time, lingering on the meaning of each word so that we don't miss the deeper context. Today is our last word, and it’s one that is rarely used in our everyday life. To me, that’s what makes it so interesting.

Abide.

John loves this word. He uses it 34 times in the Gospel, and then a further 19 times in his letters. If I was his teacher, I would probably have suggested he used a thesaurus and tried using some other words instead! But of course, it’s not by accident that the word is a favourite choice of his. If we have learned anything this week, it’s that the selection of words used throughout the Bible is wholly intentional.

The Greek word that we translate as abide, is ‘meno’. As with many Greek words, it has a few meanings that, if we add together, help us understand what it might mean to ‘abide in Christ’.

It means to physically stay where you are. Abide in Christ.

It also means to continue to live, to keep on keeping on. Abide in Christ.

It can also mean to not change, to stay strong in one's resolve, remain in common purpose. Abide in Christ.

It means to stay present, not just physically - but mentally and spiritually. Abide in Christ.

 It means to survive unchanged. Abide in Christ.

As we read and learn about each layer of the word 'meno', what does it really mean for us to abide in Christ? Abiding in Christ is so much more than being nearby – it is to stay close to him, to persevere, to remain steadfast, to be present with him, to stay rooted in him, to find our home in him.

Prayer - Lord, please help me to abide you in today. I pray that I would stay close to you, to be present with you today, to remain rooted in you and faithful to you. Develop my understanding of what it is to abide in you.