Lexical Summary
monon: only, alone
Original Word: μόνον
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: monon
Pronunciation: MOH-non
Phonetic Spelling: (mon'-on)
KJV: alone, but, only
NASB: only, simply
Word Origin: [neuter of G3441 (μόνος - alone) as adverb]
1. merely
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
alone, but, only.
Neuter of monos as adverb; merely -- alone, but, only.
see GREEK monos
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originadverb from
monosDefinitionmerely
NASB Translationonly (53), simply (2).
Topical Lexicon
Meaning in ContextStrong’s Greek 3440 underscores exclusivity—restricting action, attention, or status to one object, person, or means. It is the New Testament’s ordinary way to mark something as “this and no other,” “this alone,” or “nothing more than this.”
Occurrences and Contexts in the Gospels
1. Limiting faith to Christ’s word: “But just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). The centurion trusts nothing else—only Jesus’ command.
2. Narrowing discipleship: “Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones…will never lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42). A seemingly insignificant act, if done alone for Christ, is eternally noticed.
3. Focusing vision: At the transfiguration the disciples “saw no one except Jesus Himself” (Matthew 17:8). Revelation leads to singular devotion.
4. Guarding assurance amid fear: “Do not be afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36). Faith tolerates no rival sentiment.
5. Sifting true worship: “If you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?” (Matthew 5:47). Genuine love exceeds tribal limits.
Luke–Acts: Salvation Outreach
Luke highlights the shift from a restricted to an inclusive gospel. Jewish believers scattered by persecution preached “to Jews only” (Acts 11:19), yet God quickly expands the mission. Peter’s message falls “on them just as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15), erasing the “only” boundary. In Acts 19:26 the Ephesian craftsmen complain that Paul has persuaded people “that gods made by hands are not gods at all,” leaving them with “no little danger.” The exclusive claim of Christ threatens idolatry’s economy.
Johannine Witness
John exposes false limitations people wished to place on Jesus. The Jews sought to kill Him “because He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:18)—not merely breaking Sabbath regulations. In prayer Jesus widens the focus beyond the apostles: “I am not asking on behalf of them only, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their word” (John 17:20). Grace shatters ethnic and temporal confines.
Pauline Usage
1. Universal guilt and universal justification: “Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles as well? Yes, of Gentiles also” (Romans 3:29). The exclusive term demolishes national limitation and therefore opens a worldwide gospel.
2. Faith, not ceremony, as the sole condition: “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace” (Romans 4:16). Circumcision is not the lone badge; faith transcends it.
3. Singular hope: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19). Resurrection moves hope beyond earthly confines.
4. Ministry priorities: “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). All other ambitions fall beneath this overarching command.
5. Ethical restraint: “Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh” (Galatians 5:13). Liberty carries a singular boundary—love.
Eschatological Perspective
Hebrews contrasts the present, fragile order with the coming, unshakable kingdom: “His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also heaven’” (Hebrews 12:26). The final shaking will leave one realm standing.
Theological Themes
1. Exclusiveness of Christ’s merits—He alone saves.
2. Sufficiency of faith—no supplement required.
3. Priority of the spiritual over temporal concerns.
4. Universality of the gospel—removing the “only” from ethnic privilege.
5. Singleness of purpose in Christian conduct.
Historical and Ministry Significance
Early believers faced constant temptation to add something—ritual, philosophy, political power—to the simple sufficiency of Christ. Strong’s 3440 provided a linguistic fence, preserving apostolic doctrine against syncretism. Throughout church history reform movements have rallied around the same word to insist on Scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, and God’s glory alone.
Practical Exhortations
• Anchor hope beyond this life only (1 Corinthians 15:19).
• Guard the purity of the gospel, refusing any addition that dilutes grace (Galatians 1:6–9; 3:2).
• Exercise liberty within the single boundary of love (Galatians 5:13).
• Keep ministry focused on the one thing needful—discipleship to Jesus (Philippians 1:27).
• In pastoral care, direct fearful hearts to “only believe” (Mark 5:36), resting exclusively in the Lord’s word.
Through these sixty–seven occurrences, Strong’s 3440 calls every generation to unwavering devotion to the Lord who alone is worthy.
Forms and Transliterations
μονον μόνον μονόρχις μονώτατον monon mónon
Links
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Englishman's Greek Concordance •
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