Lexical Summary mnémoneuó: To remember, to call to mind, to mention Original Word: μνημονεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make mention; be mindful, remember. From a derivative of mneme; to exercise memory, i.e. Recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse -- make mention; be mindful, remember. see GREEK mneme HELPS Word-studies 3421 mnēmoneúō – to recall by memory (without implying anything was previously forgotten). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mnémón (mindful) Definition to call to mind, to make mention of NASB Translation bearing in mind (1), made mention (1), recall (1), remember (14), remembered (1), remembering (1), remembers (1), thinking (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3421: μνημονεύωμνημονεύω; imperfect 3 person plural ἐμνημόνευον; 1 aorist ἐμνημόνευσα; (μνημῶν mindful); from Herodotus down; the Sept. for זָכַר; 1. to be mindful of, to remember, to call to mind: absolutely, Mark 8:18; τίνος, Luke 17:32; John 15:20; John 16:4, 21; Acts 20:35; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; (Hebrews 13:7); contextually equivalent to to think of and feel for a person or thing: with the genitive of the thing, Colossians 4:18; τῶν πτωχῶν, Galatians 2:10 (see μιμνήσκω, at the end); with an accusative of the object to hold in memory, keep in mind: τινα, 2 Timothy 2:8; τί, Matthew 16:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; τά ἀδικήματα, of God as punishing them, Revelation 18:5 (see μιμνήσκω). Cf. Matthiae, § 347 Anm. 2; Winers Grammar, p. 205 (193); (Buttmann, § 132, 14). followed by ὅτι, Acts 20:31; Ephesians 2:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:5; followed by an indirect question, Revelation 2:5; Revelation 3:3. 2. to make mention of: τίνος, Hebrews 11:15 (but others refer this to 1 above) (Plutarch, Themistius, 32; τί, Plato, de rep. 4, p. 441 d.; legg. 4, p. 723 c.); περί τίνος (as μνασθαι in classic Greek, see Matthiae, § 341 Anm. 1), Hebrews 11:22; so in Latinmemini de aliquo; cf. Ramshorn, Latin Gr. § 111 note 1; (Harpers' Latin Dictionary, under the wordmemini, I. 3; cf. English remember about, etc.). The verb represented by Strong’s 3421 conveys an intentional act of calling something to mind so that it shapes present response. It is far more than passive recollection; it is an act of covenant fidelity that insists the remembered reality govern current conduct, worship, and hope. Distribution in the Canon The twenty-one New Testament occurrences fall naturally into four spheres: 1. Personal devotion to Christ (2 Timothy 2:8; John 15:20; John 16:4, John 16:21). This spread shows that remembering is an indispensable discipline for disciples, shepherds, and entire congregations. Christ-Centered Remembrance “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel” (2 Timothy 2:8). Paul places the person and work of Jesus at the very core of Christian memory. All other acts of remembrance—doctrinal, ethical, historical—derive their power from the decisive saving events in Christ. Guarding Against Spiritual Amnesia When disciples fail to remember, spiritual dullness follows. The Lord asks, “Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand…?” (Matthew 16:9; cf. Mark 8:18). Forgetting God’s past provision breeds anxiety and unbelief; deliberate remembrance rekindles trust. Repentance and Renewal The risen Christ tells the church in Ephesus, “Therefore remember from where you have fallen; repent and perform the deeds you did at first” (Revelation 2:5). Memory here is the engine of repentance—tracing the distance between former devotion and present compromise, then turning back. Likewise in Revelation 3:3: “Remember, then, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent.” Remembrance safeguards orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Pastoral Responsibility Leaders must both practice and provoke remembrance. Paul models this in Acts 20:31: “Be on guard and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” Hebrews echoes the call: “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you” (Hebrews 13:7). Sound shepherding joins exhortation with example so that truth is etched on the collective memory of the flock. Mission and Compassion Galatians 2:10 records that the Jerusalem pillars asked Paul “to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” Remembrance thus fuels tangible mercy. In Acts 20:35 Paul quotes Jesus—“It is more blessed to give than to receive”—and frames the citation with an imperative to remember. Kingdom generosity flows from recalling Christ’s own words and pattern. Identity of the People of God “Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles…were separate from Christ…But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near” (Ephesians 2:11-13). Memory anchors the believer’s identity: once alienated, now reconciled. This corporate remembrance demolishes pride and sustains unity. Eschatological Justice Revelation 18:5 speaks of Babylon: “Her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” Divine remembrance guarantees that no rebellion escapes judgment. What the ungodly prefer to forget, God keeps on His books until the appointed day. Faith’s Perspective on History Hebrews 11:22 recounts that Joseph, nearing death, “remembered the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.” Faith remembers promises not yet seen and orders present decisions accordingly. By contrast, Hebrews 11:15 notes that the patriarchs could have “remembered” their former homeland and returned, but faith kept their focus forward. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching: Regularly rehearse the gospel’s central facts so the congregation “remembers” rather than drifts. Conclusion Strong’s 3421 depicts remembrance as an active, covenantal discipline that undergirds faith, fuels obedience, and preserves both orthodoxy and compassion. To remember rightly is to align the present with God’s past deeds and future promises, thereby living in wholehearted devotion to Jesus Christ until He comes. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 16:9 V-PIA-2PGRK: νοεῖτε οὐδὲ μνημονεύετε τοὺς πέντε NAS: understand or remember the five loaves KJV: neither remember the five INT: Do you yet understand nor remember the five Mark 8:18 V-PIA-2P Luke 17:32 V-PMA-2P John 15:20 V-PMA-2P John 16:4 V-PSA-2P John 16:21 V-PIA-3S Acts 20:31 V-PPA-NMP Acts 20:35 V-PNA Galatians 2:10 V-PSA-1P Ephesians 2:11 V-PMA-2P Colossians 4:18 V-PMA-2P 1 Thessalonians 1:3 V-PPA-NMP 1 Thessalonians 2:9 V-PIA-2P 2 Thessalonians 2:5 V-PIA-2P 2 Timothy 2:8 V-PMA-2S Hebrews 11:15 V-IIA-3P Hebrews 11:22 V-AIA-3S Hebrews 13:7 V-PMA-2P Revelation 2:5 V-PMA-2S Revelation 3:3 V-PMA-2S Revelation 18:5 V-AIA-3S Strong's Greek 3421 |
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