Lexical Summary meris: Part, Portion, Share Original Word: μερίς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance part, portionFeminine of meros; a portion, i.e. Province, share or (abstractly) participation -- part (X -akers). see GREEK meros NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. noun from meros Definition a part, portion NASB Translation common (1), district (1), part (2), share (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3310: μερίςμερίς, μερίδος, ἡ (see μέρος), the Sept. chiefly for חֵלֶק, חֶלְקָה, מָנָה; (from Antiphon and Thucydides down); a part, equivalent to 1. a part as distinct from the whole: (τῆς) Μακεδονίας, Acts 16:12 (on which see Hort in WH's Appendix at the passage). 2. an assigned part, a portion, share: Luke 10:42 (see ἀγαθός, 2); ἐστι μοι μερίς μετά τίνος, I have a portion, i. e. fellowship, with one, 2 Corinthians 6:15. οὐκ ἐστι μοι μερίς ἤ κλῆρος ἐν τίνι, I have neither part nor lot, take no share, in a thing, Acts 8:21; ἱκανουν τινα εἰς τήν μερίδα τίνος, to make one fit to obtain a share in a thing (i. e. partitive genitive; others, genitive of apposition), Colossians 1:12. The term rendered “portion,” “share,” or “district” points to something that is allotted, whether tangible (land, inheritance) or intangible (spiritual privilege, commonality). In every New Testament occurrence it marks a clear boundary between what belongs to one party and what does not, thus serving both to include and to exclude. Occurrences and Contextual Notes • Luke 10:42 – “Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” The Lord contrasts Martha’s many distractions with the single, irrevocable share Mary secured by sitting at His feet. The word underscores the permanence of spiritual communion that surpasses temporal service. Thematic Significance 1. Portion Chosen versus Portion Assigned Old Testament Resonance The concept echoes Israel’s tribal allotments (Joshua 13–19) and the Levites’ unique portion being the Lord Himself (Deuteronomy 10:9). The Septuagint frequently uses the same term to translate the Hebrew cheleq, reinforcing continuity between covenants: God assigns portions and guards their integrity. Doctrinal Implications • Assurance of Inheritance – Because the believer’s share is God-qualified (Colossians 1:12), it is secure and cannot be “taken away” (Luke 10:42). Practical Applications • Cultivate undistracted devotion, valuing Christ Himself as the “good portion.” Summary This word consistently delineates the believer’s privileged share and the boundaries that protect it. Whether referring to intimate fellowship with Christ, the future inheritance of the saints, the purity of ministry, or the reach of the gospel across regions, it testifies that God both assigns and safeguards His people’s portion. Englishman's Concordance Luke 10:42 N-AFSGRK: τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα ἐξελέξατο ἥτις NAS: the good part, which KJV: that good part, which INT: the good part chose which Acts 8:21 N-NFS Acts 16:12 N-GFS 2 Corinthians 6:15 N-NFS Colossians 1:12 N-AFS Strong's Greek 3310 |