Meno (continue)

 The Art of Dwelling: Exploring Menō in Reading, Tombs, and Truth

What does it mean to “dwell” in something? The Greek verb menō (μένω), meaning “to remain,” “to stay,” or “to persist,” offers a profound lens for understanding how we anchor ourselves in places, tasks, or truths. Whether it’s choosing to keep reading one book over another, a man tormented in tombs, or Jesus’ call to abide in his word, menō captures the act of staying put—physically, mentally, or spiritually. Let’s explore how this ancient word illuminates persistence across these contexts.

Menō in Everyday Choices: Reading Book A, Leaving Book B

Imagine you’re juggling two books. Book A captivates you, its ideas sinking deep, while Book B feels like a slog. You decide to stop reading Book B and continue with Book A. This choice is menō in action. In Greek, menō can describe persisting in an activity, like “dwelling” in the mental space of a book. You might say, egō menō en tē anagnōsei tou bibliou A (“I remain in the reading of Book A”). By focusing on Book A, you’re not just reading—you’re inhabiting its world, letting its words shape your thoughts.

This act of menō is like choosing where to “live” intellectually. Stopping Book B is a deliberate shift, like moving out of one house to settle in another. The New Testament uses menō in similar ways, not just for physical dwelling but for staying committed to a state or path. Two biblical examples—the Gerasene demoniac and Jesus’ teachings—show how menō reflects persistence in vastly different contexts.

The Demoniac’s Menō: Dwelling in Tombs

In the Gospels (Mark 5:1–20, Luke 8:26–39, Matthew 8:28–34), we meet a man possessed by demons, living among the tombs in the region of the Gerasenes. The Greek text describes him as dwelling (katoikēsis or related terms, rooted in the idea of menō) in this desolate place. Luke 8:27 notes he “did not live in a house but among the tombs,” and Mark 5:3 says he “had his dwelling” there, chained and tormented, crying out day and night.

This man’s menō was a tragic persistence—a life stuck in a place of death, driven by forces beyond his control. The tombs weren’t just a location; they symbolized his isolation and despair. Yet, when Jesus arrives, everything changes. He casts out the demons (who call themselves “Legion”), sending them into a herd of pigs that drown in the sea. The man, now “clothed and in his right mind” (Mark 5:15), no longer menō in the tombs. Jesus tells him to go home and share his story (Mark 5:19), marking a new kind of dwelling—one of restoration and purpose.

This story shows menō as a state of being, for better or worse. The man’s “dwelling” in the tombs was a destructive persistence, but Jesus’ intervention freed him to menō in a new life. It’s a powerful contrast to our reading example: just as we can choose to “dwell” in Book A over Book B, the demoniac’s story reminds us that where we menō matters.

Jesus’ Call to Menō: Remaining in Truth and Relationship

Jesus himself uses menō to describe a different kind of dwelling—one rooted in truth and connection. In John 8:31–32, he tells a group of believers, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (ESV). The word “continue” here is meinēte, a form of menō. Jesus isn’t talking about a physical place but a spiritual commitment: to “dwell” in his teachings, letting them shape your life.

This menō is active persistence, like sticking with Book A because its ideas resonate deeply. By remaining in Jesus’ word, you don’t just read it—you live it, letting it guide your choices and reveal truth. The promise is freedom, not from physical chains like the demoniac’s, but from the bondage of sin and ignorance.

Jesus expands this idea in John 15:7, saying, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (ESV). Here, menō appears twice (meinēte for “remain in me” and meinē for “my words remain”). This mutual indwelling—us in Jesus, his words in us—is like a two-way street. It’s not just about staying in a teaching but abiding in a relationship with the one who embodies truth. The result? A life aligned with God’s will, where prayers reflect his purposes.

Tying It Together: Menō as Dwelling in What Matters

So, what does menō teach us? Whether it’s continuing to read Book A, the demoniac’s tragic dwelling in tombs, or Jesus’ call to remain in his word, menō is about where we choose to “stay.” It’s a deliberate act of persistence:

Choosing Book A over Book B means dwelling in one intellectual space, shaping our minds.

The demoniac’s menō in the tombs was a life stuck in despair, transformed by Jesus into a new kind of dwelling.

Jesus’ invitation to menō in his word and in him offers truth, freedom, and a relationship that bears fruit.

Next time you pick up a book or reflect on your priorities, ask: Where am I menō-ing? Am I dwelling in what brings life, truth, and purpose? The Greek word reminds us that to “remain” is to choose where we live—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.