I have recently been
working through a small portion of Scripture in the Gospel according to John.
Many of the ancient spiritual mystics and contemplatives wrote about union, or
communion with God. In these writings one can get the idea that 'abiding' with,
or in, Christ is foundational. I read John 15:1-7. In the 2011 NIV the verb, meno,
has been rendered, "remain." So, verse 4 reads, "Remain in
me, as I also remain in you." According to BDAG there are several ways to
understand the language of 'remaining.' One of them is, of course, to remain in
a certain place or position. It refers to location. In a sense, it can carry
with it the flavor of dwelling or lodging. When I read 'remain,' however, I get
the idea that it is something static that is left where it was found. 'Remain
in the house' means to be static and stuck in a position or location. The NASB
rendered this word "abide." Again, BDAG, confirms this, also. Part of
their definition is, "to denote an inward, enduring personal
communion." TDNT contains, "By the use of μένειν Jn. seeks to express
the immutability and inviolability of the relation of immanence."1
God abides in the Son, believers abide in Christ, Christ abides in believers,
believers abide in God, and God in believers. Kittel goes on to assert that, in
this use of the present tense, "the eschatological promise of salvation
becomes immediate possession [of believers].2
For me, the use of
'abide' rather than 'remain' is a more accurate understanding. Abide in English
carries the color of relationships in active growth. It is a 'green' word. It
is not a 'steely gray' word like "remain."
The text in John is
deserving of long, quiet meditation to allow the Holy Spirit to
"abide" in us.
1&2Theological dictionary
of the New Testament. 1964-c1976. Vols. 5-9 edited by Gerhard Friedrich.
Vol. 10 compiled by Ronald Pitkin. (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G.
Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (4:576). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
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