μόνον (monon)
monon
only
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb monon functions as a precise limiter in the New Testament, translating to "only," "alone," or "but." It restricts the scope of a statement, ensuring that the reader understands no other condition or agent is implied. This word appears in contexts ranging from Jesus’ solitude during prayer to specific theological assertions about God’s unique nature.
Its usage often highlights exclusivity or singularity. For instance, it describes Jesus being alone with His disciples on the mountain (Mark 9:2), emphasizing the private nature of that revelation. In other passages, it serves to correct assumptions, as when Jesus tells Jairus not to fear but only to believe (Mark 5:36), narrowing the appropriate response from panic to faith.
Lexical sources note its frequent pairing with negative constructions like ou monon... alla ("not only... but also"), which expands a thought by first establishing a baseline before adding greater significance. This structural role allows writers to build arguments incrementally, acknowledging one truth while introducing a more substantial reality that follows.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word monon acts as a gentle but firm boundary in Scripture. It narrows our focus to what truly matters, filtering out noise and distraction. When Jesus uses this term, He often invites us to rest in simplicity rather than complexity.
In Philippians 1:29, Paul reminds believers that faith includes both belief and suffering. The logic here is precise: the privilege of trusting Christ comes with the cost of standing for Him. This duality defines the Christian experience, balancing joy with endurance.
When life feels overwhelming, monon helps us identify the single thing required in each moment. It is not about having all the answers, but about holding fast to one truth at a time. This clarity brings peace to anxious hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- only2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μόνον2×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 1:29
Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,
This verse uses the 'not only... but also' structure to show that suffering is an inseparable part of the gift of faith, not a separate punishment.
-
Matthew 10:42
Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.”
Here the term limits the requirement for reward to a simple act of kindness, showing that God values humble service over grand gestures.