English · KJV
G3887

παραμένω

paraménō /par-am-en'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom παρά and μένω
Meaningto stay near, i.e. remain (literally, tarry; or figuratively, be permanent, persevere)
KJV usageabide, continue.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of paraménō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word paraménō, represented by G3887, means to stay near, remain, abide, or continue. Derived from παρά and μένω, it carries the sense of tarrying literally or persevering figuratively. It appears 3 times in 3 unique verses, making each usage significant in understanding its application.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical occurrences, G3887 is used in both a literal and figurative sense. Paul uses the term literally when discussing his travel plans, expressing a desire to abide and even winter with the believers in Corinth 1 Corinthians 16:6. Figuratively, it describes the spiritual perseverance of a believer who not only looks into the "perfect law of liberty" but also continueth therein, becoming a blessed doer of the work James 1:25. The word is also used to illustrate a limitation; the Levitical priests could not continue in their roles permanently because they were hindered by death Hebrews 7:23.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which G3887 is used:

  • G3879 parakýptō (to bend beside, i.e. lean over (so as to peer within):--look (into), stoop down): This word is used immediately before G3887 in James, describing one who "looketh" into the law before he "continueth" in it James 1:25.
  • G3914 paracheimázō (to winter near, i.e. stay with over the rainy season:--winter): In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul pairs his intention to "abide" G3887 with the specific plan to "winter" with them, showing a concrete application of remaining near 1 Corinthians 16:6.
  • G2967 kōlýō (to estop, i.e. prevent (by word or act):--forbid, hinder, keep from, let, not suffer, withstand): This term explains why the priests of the old covenant could not "continue" G3887 in their office, as they "were not suffered" to do so because of death Hebrews 7:23.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3887 is seen in its application to core concepts of Christian life and priesthood.

  • Active Perseverance: The word emphasizes that true faith is not passive. A person is blessed not for merely hearing or looking into God's law, but for actively choosing to continue in it, becoming a "doer of the work" James 1:25.
  • The Limitation of Mortality: The inability of the old priests to continue serves as a point of contrast, highlighting the impermanence of the Levitical system which was subject to death Hebrews 7:23.
  • Intentional Fellowship: Paul's desire to abide with the Corinthian church underscores the value of physical presence and community. His plan to remain with them was a deliberate act of fellowship and support 1 Corinthians 16:6.

Summary

In summary, G3887 provides a rich concept of what it means to remain or endure. Though used sparingly, it effectively communicates everything from a literal plan to stay with fellow believers to the profound spiritual principle of persevering in God's law. Its usage highlights the critical difference between temporary status, which is hindered by death, and the enduring practice of a living faith.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Future Active Indicative 1st Singular 2×
  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Infinitive 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future
Action yet to take place.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G3879 παρακύπτω from παρά and κύπτω; to bend beside, i.e. lean over (so as to peer within):--look (into), stoop down. G3914 παραχειμάζω from παρά and χειμάζω; to winter near, i.e. stay with over the rainy season:--winter. G2967 κωλύω from the base of κολάζω; to estop, i.e. prevent (by word or act):--forbid, hinder, keep from, let, not suffer, withstand

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in 1 Corinthians, Hebrews, and James (1 verse each); never once in the other 24.

1
1 Corinthians
1
Hebrews
1
James

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.