καταμένω (katamenō)
katamenō
to stay
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katamenō means to remain or stay in a place permanently, rather than just visiting briefly. It appears only three times in the New Testament, carrying a sense of fixed residence or abiding presence that distinguishes it from temporary sojourns.
Its root combines kata ("down" or "completely") with menō ("to stay"). This intensification suggests a settled state. In Acts 1:13, the disciples are described as going up to the upper room where they were staying, indicating their established base in Jerusalem before Pentecost. Similarly, Paul writes that he hopes to abide with the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:6), implying a planned, sustained visit rather than a fleeting encounter.
Translators often render this word as "stay" or "abide," capturing its emphasis on continuity. While menō can mean simply to remain, katamenō adds weight to the idea of dwelling with purpose and permanence. This usage highlights the early Christian community's groundedness in specific locations as they prepared for their mission.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katamenō describes a settled, permanent residence rather than a brief visit. In Acts 1:13, the disciples are noted as staying in the upper room, establishing a fixed base before Pentecost. This implies a purposeful commitment to their location and community.
For your faith, this suggests that spiritual growth often requires a stable foundation. Rather than moving from place to place without depth, we are called to abide in Christ with intentionality. This stability allows us to prepare for the work God has set before us, rooted in His presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- staying,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- καταμένοντες,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 1:13
When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
This verse highlights the disciples' established base in Jerusalem, showing katamenō as a fixed residence prior to their mission.