### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb μαίνομαι (maínomai), Strong's `{{G3105}}`, is a middle voice form derived from a primary root concept of "to long for" or "insensate craving." This etymological root suggests an internal state of intense, uncontrolled desire or passion that ultimately manifests as a departure from rational thought. Its core meaning in the New Testament is "to be out of one's mind," "to be mad," "to rave," or "to be insane." The semantic range encompasses not only clinical insanity but also a state of being "beside oneself" due to overwhelming emotion (such as shock or fervent conviction), or behavior that appears utterly irrational to an observer. It denotes a loss of mental composure or sound judgment, often implying a state of delusion or mental derangement from the perspective of the speaker.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
μαίνομαι appears four times in the New Testament, consistently used by an observer to describe someone else whom they perceive as irrational or mentally unstable:
* **[[John 10:20]]**: "Many of them said, 'He has a demon and is out of His mind (μαίνεται)! Why do you listen to Him?'" Here, the Jewish crowd, hostile to Jesus' claims of divine sonship and unity with the Father, dismisses His words as the ravings of a demon-possessed madman. This accusation serves to discredit His authority and message.
* **[[Acts 12:15]]**: "But they kept saying to her, 'You are out of your mind (μαίνῃ)!' But she kept insisting that it was so." When Rhoda reports that Peter, miraculously released from prison, is knocking at the gate, the disciples in Mary's house are so astonished and incredulous that they assume she is delirious or "beside herself" with excitement or delusion. Their disbelief leads them to label her as mad.
* **[[Acts 26:24]]**: "While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, 'Paul, you are out of your mind (μαίνῃ)! Your great learning is driving you mad!'" During Paul's defense before King Agrippa and Governor Festus, Festus, a Roman official, finds Paul's fervent testimony about the resurrection of Jesus and his divine calling utterly incomprehensible from a pagan worldview. He attributes Paul's conviction and passionate articulation of such "strange" beliefs to an excess of study leading to madness.
* **[[1 Corinthians 14:23]]**: "So if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds (μαίνεσθε)?" Paul uses μαίνομαι here as a rhetorical warning. He cautions the Corinthian church against the uninterpreted, chaotic use of tongues in public worship. Such a display, he argues, would appear to unbelievers and outsiders as mere babbling or frenzied behavior, leading them to conclude that the believers are "mad" and thus hindering the gospel message.
In all instances, the word is spoken by those who are either skeptical, incredulous, or uncomprehending of the spiritual realities or extraordinary events being presented. It serves as a dismissive label, an attempt to rationalize or discredit what seems irrational from a purely human perspective.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of μαίνομαι stands in contrast to words denoting sanity, self-control, and sound judgment:
* `{{G4998}}` (σωφρονέω - to be of sound mind, to be self-controlled, to be sensible).
* `{{G4993}}` (σώφρων - sensible, prudent, self-controlled).
* `{{G3563}}` (νοῦς - mind, understanding, reason).
* `{{G1271}}` (διάνοια - understanding, thought, intention).
Conceptually, μαίνομαι is related to:
* `{{G1137}}` (δαιμονίζομαι - to be demon-possessed), as demon possession was often associated with madness in ancient thought, as seen in the accusation against Jesus in [[John 10:20]].
* `{{G3472}}` (μωρία - foolishness), as madness is often perceived as the ultimate form of foolishness, particularly when divine truth is deemed "foolish" by the world ([[1 Corinthians 1:18]], [[1 Corinthians 1:23]]).
### Theological Significance
The repeated use of μαίνομαι to describe Jesus and Paul carries profound theological weight. It highlights the inherent tension between divine wisdom and human reason. What appears as "madness" to the natural, unspiritual mind is often the very essence of God's truth and power ([[1 Corinthians 2:14]]). The world, in its fallen state, often perceives the spiritual realities and radical claims of the gospel as irrational or insane. This is particularly evident when Festus, embodying Roman rationality, cannot comprehend Paul's testimony about resurrection. The accusations against Jesus underscore the world's rejection of divine revelation when it does not conform to its preconceived notions.
Furthermore, the occurrences of μαίνομαι reveal a potential consequence of faithful discipleship: being misunderstood, ridiculed, or dismissed as "mad" by those who do not share one's faith. This can be part of the cost of following Christ and proclaiming His truth in a hostile or uncomprehending world.
Finally, Paul's instruction in [[1 Corinthians 14:23]] provides a crucial theological balance. While the Spirit's work can be powerful and transcend ordinary human experience, the manifestation of spiritual gifts in corporate worship should be ordered and intelligible. The goal is not to appear chaotic or "mad" to outsiders, thereby hindering evangelism, but to edify believers and present the gospel clearly. This demonstrates that spiritual fervor must be tempered with practical wisdom and a concern for the effective proclamation of the truth.
### Summary
The Greek word μαίνομαι (`{{G3105}}`, "to be out of one's mind," "to be mad") consistently appears in the New Testament as an accusation or assumption made by observers who perceive another's words or actions as irrational, delusional, or incomprehensible. It is notably used to dismiss Jesus' divine claims ([[John 10:20]]), to express disbelief at Peter's miraculous release ([[Acts 12:15]]), and to reject Paul's fervent gospel testimony ([[Acts 26:24]]). In [[1 Corinthians 14:23]], Paul uses the term to warn against disorderly worship that might cause outsiders to conclude believers are "mad." Theologically, μαίνομαι underscores the profound chasm between divine wisdom and human understanding, illustrating how the world often perceives spiritual truth as foolishness or insanity. It also highlights the potential for misunderstanding and ridicule faced by those who faithfully proclaim Christ, while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of order and intelligibility in Christian witness to avoid hindering the gospel message.
TRV