Original Word: μέρος
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: meros
Pronunciation: MEH-ros
Phonetic Spelling: (mer'-os)
KJV: behalf, course, coast, craft, particular (+ -ly), part (+ -ly), piece, portion, respect, side, some sort(-what)
NASB: part, district, parts, place, case, districts, partial
Word Origin: [from an obsolete but more primary form of meiromai "to get as a section or allotment"]

1. a division or share
{literally or figuratively, in a wide application}

part, share

From an obsolete but more primary form of meiromai (to get as a section or allotment); a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application) -- behalf, course, coast, craft, particular (+ -ly), part (+ -ly), piece, portion, respect, side, some sort(-what).

Word Origin
from meiromai (to receive one's portion)
Definition
a part, share, portion
NASB Translation
case (2), country (1), detail (1), district (3), districts (2), group (1), individually (1), part (11), partial (2), partially (1), parts (3), party (1), piece (1), place (3), portion (1), regions (1), respect (1), share (1), side (1), some degree (1), some points (1), trade (1), turn (1), while (1).

STRONGS NT 3313: ἀναμερος

ἀναμερος, i. e. ἀνά μέρος, see ἀνά, 1.)

STRONGS NT 3313: μέροςμέρος, μέρους, τό (μείρομαι to share, receive one's due portion) (from Pindar, Aeschylus, Herodotus down), a part; i. e.:

1. a part due or assigned to one (German Antheil): ἀφαιρεῖν, τό μέρος τίνος (genitive of person) ἀπό or ἐκ τίνος (genitive of the thing), Revelation 22:19; ἔχειν μέρος ἐν with the dative of the thing, Revelation 20:6; μέρος ἔχειν μετά τίνος (participation in the same thing, i. e.) to have part (fellowship) with one, John 13:8; hence, as sometimes in classical Greek (Euripides, Alc. 477 (474)), lot, destiny, assigned to one, Revelation 21:8; τιθέναι τό μέρος τίνος τινων, to appoint one his lot with certain persons, Matthew 24:51; Luke 12:46.

2. one of the constituent parts of a whole;

a. universally: in a context where the whole and its parts are distinguished, Luke 11:36; John 19:23; Revelation 16:19; with a genitive of the whole, Luke 15:12; Luke 24:42; where it is evident from the context of what whole it is a part, Acts 5:2; Ephesians 4:16; τό ἕν μέρος namely, τοῦ συνεδρίου, Acts 23:6; τοῦ μέρους τῶν Φαρισαίων, of that part of the Sanhedrin which consisted of Pharisees, Acts 23:9 (not Lachmann); τά μέρη, with the genitive of a province or country, the divisions or regions which make up the land or province, Matthew 2:22; Acts 2:10; with the genitive of a city, the region belonging to a city, country around it, Matthew 15:21; Matthew 16:13; Mark 8:10; τά ἀνωτερικά μέρη, the upper districts (in tacit contrast with τά κατώτερα, and with them forming one whole), Acts 19:1; τά μέρη ἐκεῖνα, those regions (which are parts of the country just mentioned, i. e. Macedonia), Acts 20:2; τά κατώτερα μέρη with the genitive of apposition, τῆς γῆς, Ephesians 4:9 (on which see κατώτερος); εἰς τά δεξιά μέρη τοῦ πλοίου, i. e. into the parts (i. e. spots namely, of the lake) on the right side of the ship, John 21:6. Adverbial phrases: ἀνά μέρος (see ἀνά, 1), 1 Corinthians 14:27; κατά μέρος, severally, part by part, in detail, Hebrews 9:5 (see κατά, II. 3 a. γ.); μέρος τί (accusative, absolutely) in part, partly, 1 Corinthians 11:18 (Thucydides 2, 64; 4, 30; Isocrates, p. 426 d.); ἀπό μέρους, in part, i. e. somewhat, 2 Corinthians 1:14; in a measure, to some degree, 2 Corinthians 2:5; (Romans 15:24); as respects a part, Romans 11:25: here and there, Romans 15:15; ἐκ μέρους as respects individual persons and things, severally, individually, 1 Corinthians 12:27; in part, partially, i. e. imperfectly, 1 Corinthians 13:9, 12; τό ἐκ μέρους (opposed to τό τέλειον) (A. V. that which is in part) imperfect (Luth. well,das Stückwerk), 1 Corinthians 13:10. (Green (Critical Note on 2 Corinthians 1:14) says "ἀπό μέρους differs in Paul's usage from ἐκ μέρους in that the latter is a contrasted term in express opposition to the idea of a complete whole, the other being used simply without such aim"; cf. Bernhardy (1829) Syntax, p. 230; Meyer on 1 Corinthians 12:27.)

b. any particular, German Stück (where the writer means to intimate that there are other matters, to be separated from that which be has specified): ἐν τῷ μέρει τούτῳ, in this particular i. e. in regard to this, in this respect, 1 Peter 4:16 R; 2 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:3; with a genitive of the thing, Colossians 2:16 (where see Lightfoot); τοῦτο τό μέρος, namely, τῆς ἐργασίας ἡμῶν (branch of business), Acts 19:27, cf. Acts 19:25.

Scope and Conceptual Range

Meros and its cognate forms describe the idea of a “portion” in many dimensions—geographic districts, allotted shares of property, personal participation, partial knowledge, and eschatological destinies. The contexts span narrative, didactic, and prophetic material, giving the term a theological breadth that ranges from everyday stewardship to eternal reward or loss.

Geographic and Territorial References

The Synoptic Gospels use the word to indicate districts visited by Jesus (Matthew 15:21; Mark 8:10; Matthew 16:13), while Luke records travelers returning from “the region of Tyre and Sidon” (Luke 11:36). Luke’s history of the early Church highlights Gospel expansion: Jews and proselytes from “the parts of Libya” hear Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:10); Paul journeys through “the upper parts” of Asia Minor (Acts 19:1; Acts 20:2). These notices remind readers that God’s redemptive plan moves from part to whole, gathering people from every region into one kingdom.

Personal Portions and Stewardship

Meros underlies the cautionary account of Ananias and Sapphira, who kept back “part of the proceeds” (Acts 5:2), exposing selfish deception before a holy God. In the parable of the prodigal, the younger son requests “the share of the estate” (Luke 15:12), illustrating both reckless misuse of grace and the father’s readiness to restore. Such passages press believers toward faithful management of all resources entrusted by the Lord.

Inheritance and Relational Shares

John 13:8 records Jesus warning Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me”, showing that fellowship with Christ is granted, not earned, and cannot be bypassed. Revelation heightens the thought: “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection” (Revelation 20:6), while the unrepentant have “their place in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur” (Revelation 21:8). The term therefore frames both the glorious inheritance of the saints and the dreadful portion of the wicked.

Partial Knowledge and Future Completeness

Paul applies the word to human limitation: “For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the partial passes away” (1 Corinthians 13:9–10). The same chapter concludes, “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Believers live faithfully amid fragmentary understanding, confident that God will consummate all things.

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

Meros supports Paul’s doctrine of corporate life: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Growth occurs “as each part does its work” and supplies the body (Ephesians 4:16). The vocabulary underscores that individual contribution and corporate edification are inseparable.

Christological Fulfillment

At the cross the soldiers “divided His garments into four parts” (John 19:23), echoing Psalm 22 and confirming Jesus as the promised Messiah. After the resurrection the disciples give Him “a piece of broiled fish” (Luke 24:42), witnessing to His true bodily life. Meros thus frames pivotal moments of redemptive history.

Eschatological Portions

Revelation 22:19 warns that tampering with prophecy forfeits one’s “share in the tree of life and in the Holy City.” Conversely, those whose names are in the Lamb’s book possess an everlasting portion. Even the great city of Babylon is “split into three parts” (Revelation 16:19), signaling divine judgment on corrupt systems. The word consistently contrasts the secure allotment of the redeemed with the ruinous allotment of the rebellious.

Pastoral and Practical Applications

• Steward every entrusted portion—time, gifting, resources—under the eye of the Master.
• Celebrate diversity within the local assembly while preserving unity of purpose.
• Hold present knowledge humbly, awaiting the fullness to be revealed.
• Proclaim Christ so that every region hears, until the Gospel reaches “the ends of the earth.”
• Warn and comfort with eternal realities: each soul will receive an everlasting portion, either with Christ or apart from Him.

Meros therefore threads through Scripture as a quiet but powerful reminder that God assigns, measures, and fulfills every part—whether districts, duties, insights, or destinies—according to His sovereign and gracious purpose.

μερει μέρει μέρεσιν μερη μέρη μερος μέρος μερους μέρους μερών μεσαίος μεσάντιον mere merē mére mérē merei mérei meros méros merous mérousInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts