Greek · G1961 · unreviewed

ἐπιμένω

To remain/keep on

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

ἐπιμένω G1961

Pronunciation epiménō

What does ἐπιμένω (epiménō) mean in the Bible?

ἐπιμένω (epiménō) is a Greek word meaning "to remain/keep on". ἐπι-μένω [in LXX: Exo. Endurance in truth and holiness is essential to lasting ministry impact. This term runs through the canonical themes of Holiness, Revelation.

Full entry for ἐπιμένω (G1961) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to remain/keep on

Extended definition

Persist or continue steadfastly in a state, condition, or pursuit, emphasizing sustained commitment.

to stay on, tarry or abide still: before έν, 1Co.16:8; αὐτοῦ, there, Act.15:34 (WH, txt., RV, txt., omit) Act.21:4; with dative, τ. σαρκί, Php.1:24; before παρά, with dative of person(s), Act.28:14; πρός, with accusative of person(s), 1Co.16:7, Gal.1:18; with accusative temp., Act.10:48 21:4, 10 28:12, 14, 1Co.16:7. Metaphorical, to continue in a pursuit or state: with dative, τ. ἀμαρτίᾳ, Rom.6:1; τ. ὰπιστίᾳ, Rom.11:23; τ. πίστει, Col.1:23; αὐτοῖς (see CGT, in l), 1Ti.4:16; τ. χρηστότητι, Rom.11:22; with ptcp. (cf. Bl., § 73, 4; 76, 2), Jhn.8:7, Act.12:16.

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Endurance in truth and holiness is essential to lasting ministry impact. 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Grammatical Forms

How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.

Tenses

Aorist Imperfect Present Future

Voices

Active

Infinitive verbal noun — the action in abstract 4×

Aorist Active Acts 10:48 · Acts 28:14 · 1 Cor 16:7 3×

Present Active Phil 1:24 1×

Indicative states a fact or reality 6×

Aorist Active Acts 21:4 · Acts 28:12 · Gal 1:18 3×

Imperfect Active Acts 12:16 1×

Future Active 1 Cor 16:8 1×

Present Active Col 1:23 1×

Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 1×

Present Active Acts 21:10 1×

Subjunctive possibility, probability, or purpose 3×

Present Active Rom 6:1 · Rom 11:22 · Rom 11:23 3×

Imperative command or strong request 1×

Present Active 1 Tim 4:16 1×

Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 16 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect

completed 3 ongoing 1 prospective 1 imperative 1 background 2 subjunctive 3 infinitive 4 participle 1

Tense

present 7 aorist 6 imperfect 2 future 1

Voice

active 16

Mood

indicative 7 infinitive 4 subjunctive 3 imperative 1 participle 1

NT Occurrences

John 8:7 ἐπέμενον imperfect active indicative background Acts 10:48 ἐπιμεῖναι aorist active infinitive infinitive Acts 12:16 ἐπέμενεν imperfect active indicative background Acts 21:10 ἐπιμενόντων present active participle participle Acts 21:4 ἐπεμείναμεν aorist active indicative completed Acts 28:12 ἐπεμείναμεν aorist active indicative completed Acts 28:14 ἐπιμεῖναι aorist active infinitive infinitive Romans 6:1 ἐπιμένωμεν present active subjunctive subjunctive Romans 11:22 ἐπιμένῃς present active subjunctive subjunctive Romans 11:23 ἐπιμένωσι present active subjunctive subjunctive 1 Corinthians 16:7 ἐπιμεῖναι aorist active infinitive infinitive 1 Corinthians 16:8 ἐπιμενῶ future active indicative prospective Galatians 1:18 ἐπέμεινα aorist active indicative completed Philippians 1:24 ἐπιμένειν present active infinitive infinitive Colossians 1:23 ἐπιμένετε present active indicative ongoing 1 Timothy 4:16 ἐπίμενε present active imperative imperative

Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.

Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)

Canonical Themes

Holiness Revelation

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses

1 Timothy 4:11-16 persevere epiménō Imperative · Present Active

To remain steadfast in something over time.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Romans 11 — The Remnant, the Grafted Gentiles, and the Mercy of God Toward Israel Romans 6 — Dead to Sin and Alive to God in Christ Jesus

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details