← G1960 G1962 →

ἐπιμένω

epiménō

G1961 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To remain, persist, or continue in a place, state, activity, or condition; to stay on beyond an expected or ordinary duration. In figurative usage, to persevere or persist in a chosen disposition or course of action, often with the sense of endurance through difficulty or constancy of attitude or behavior.

Semantic Range

to stay on, to linger, to persist, to continue (in a state or activity), to persevere, to endure, to remain in place, to continue steadfastly

Root / Etymology

From the preposition ἐπί (upon, over) and the verb μένω (to remain, stay), forming a compound with the sense of 'to remain upon' or 'to continue on.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἐπιμένω is used both in literal and figurative senses in Koine Greek. In classical Greek, its use is rare; it gains broader employment in Hellenistic and New Testament Greek. Literally, it describes physically remaining or lingering in a location (Acts 21:4), sometimes with a sense of persistence or extended duration. Figuratively, it describes persistence or perseverance in attitudes, practices, or states (e.g., Romans 6:1 'to persist in sin'). New Testament usage often carries the nuance of enduring or persevering, particularly in one's relationship, faith, or moral stance, and implies not merely a passive state but a deliberate persistence (contrast μένω, 'to remain,' which may lack the overtone of persistence). English translations often render it as 'continue,' 'persist,' 'remain,' or 'abide,' but the sense of determined duration or perseverance is sometimes lost. The term is not heavily loaded with theological content but rather with connotations of constancy or endurance in the face of a challenge or for a positive goal. It is distinct from verbs like διαμένω (to remain through or completely) and ὑπομένω (to endure, undergo), which can nuance different aspects of duration or endurance.

Translation Consistency

primary "remain" 9 occurrences

ἐπιμένω most commonly denotes staying or continuing in a place, state, or course of action (including perseverance). “Remain” is the natural, widely used English equivalent that covers both literal staying and figurative perseverance, and aligns with the majority of attested renderings.

Alternatives (8 occurrences):
"persisting" (3x) "continue" (2x) "while we were staying" (1x) "persist" (1x) "continue steadfastly" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπί and μένω; to stay over, i.e. remain (figuratively, persevere):--abide (in), continue (in), tarry.

Root Family

ἐπιμένω (epimenō) — to remain, to persist, to continue

Root μέν- to remain, to persist, to continue

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1961-05 ἐπιμεῖναι epimeinai V AOR ACT INF to remain to persist to remain 4
G1961-02 ἐπεμείναμεν epemeinamen V AOR ACT IND 1P PL we stayed we persisted we remained 2
G1961-04 ἐπέμενον epemenon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL continued they were persisting they were persisting 1
G1961-13 ἐπιμένωσι epimenosi V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL they continue they may continue on they continue 1
G1961-10 ἐπιμενῶ epimeno V FUT ACT IND 1P SG I will remain I will continue on I will remain 1
G1961-07 ἐπιμένειν epimenein V PRS ACT INF to remain to continue on to remain 1
G1961-06 ἐπίμενε epimene V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG persevere Continue steadfastly Continue steadfastly 1
G1961-01 ἐπέμεινα epemeina V AOR ACT IND 1P SG I stayed I persisted I remained 1
G1961-09 ἐπιμένετε epimenete V PRS ACT IND 2P PL you continue you are persisting you are persisting 1
G1961-11 ἐπιμένωμεν epimenomen V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL continue let us continue on should we continue 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1961-04 John 8:7 ἐπέμενον epemenon V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL continued they were persisting they were persisting
G1961-05 Acts 10:48 ἐπιμεῖναι epimeinai V AOR ACT INF to remain to persist to remain
G1961-03 Acts 12:16 ἐπέμενεν epemenen V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG continued was persisting was persisting
G1961-05 Acts 15:34 ἐπιμεῖναι epimeinai V AOR ACT INF to remain to persist to remain
G1961-02 Acts 21:4 ἐπεμείναμεν epemeinamen V AOR ACT IND 1P PL we stayed we persisted we remained
G1961-12 Acts 21:10 ἐπιμενόντων epimenonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL while we were staying of those persisting while we were staying
G1961-02 Acts 28:12 ἐπεμείναμεν epemeinamen V AOR ACT IND 1P PL we stayed we persisted we remained
G1961-05 Acts 28:14 ἐπιμεῖναι epimeinai V AOR ACT INF to stay to persist to remain
G1961-11 Romans 6:1 ἐπιμένωμεν epimenomen V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P PL continue let us continue on should we continue
G1961-08 Romans 11:22 ἐπιμένῃς epimenes V PRS ACT SUBJ 2P SG you continue you may persist you persist
← G1960 Greek Lexicon G1962 →