Original Word: μή τις
Part of Speech: Pronoun
Transliteration: mé tis
Pronunciation: may tees
Phonetic Spelling: (may'-tis)
KJV: any (sometimes unexpressed except by the simple interrogative form of the sentence)
Word Origin: [from G3361 (μή - no) and G5100 (τίς - some)]

1. whether any

any

Or me tis (may tis) from me and tis; whether any -- any (sometimes unexpressed except by the simple interrogative form of the sentence).

see GREEK me

see GREEK tis

Word Origin
see mé and tis.

STRONGS NT 3387: μήτις

μήτις (so R G John 4:33), more correctly μή τίς;

1. prohibitive, let no one (cf. Buttmann, 31 (28)): (with 1 aorist subjunctive 1 Corinthians 16:11); with 2 aorist subjunctive, 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

2. interrogative (Lat:num quis?) hath anyone etc.: John 7:48; (2 Corinthians 12:17, cf. Buttmann, § 151, 7; Winers Grammar, 574 (534)); where one would gladly believe what he asks about doubtfully (see μήτι, under the end): John 4:33.

Definition and Function

The two-word expression μή τις unites the prohibitive particle μή with the indefinite pronoun τις, conveying “lest anyone,” “that no one,” or “so someone might not.” It flags a potential danger and calls the listener or reader to preventive action.

Distribution in Scripture

Although not cataloged as a single lexical form, the words regularly stand together throughout the New Testament. Occurrences span the Gospels (Matthew 24:4), Acts (Acts 13:40), Pauline Epistles (Colossians 2:8), General Epistles (Hebrews 12:15-16), and Revelation (Revelation 3:11).

Guarding Against Deception

Matthew 24:4 “See to it that no one leads you astray.”

Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception.”

2 Corinthians 11:3 “I am afraid that, just as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds may be led astray…”

Each verse introduces a possible but avoidable threat—human or demonic—against the integrity of the gospel.

Protecting Corporate Holiness

Hebrews 12:15-16 uses the phrase twice: “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God… that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau.” The congregation must safeguard itself against sin’s corrupting influence.

Maintaining Gospel Liberty

Colossians 2:18 “Let no one disqualify you, delighting in false humility and the worship of angels.” The warning exposes teachings that undermine Christ’s sufficiency and pressures that steal believers’ confidence.

Safeguarding Reward and Crown

Revelation 3:11 “Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” The phrase underscores the possibility of loss without perseverance, yet affirms that faithfulness prevents it.

Rhetorical Force in Questions

Joined with an interrogative nuance, μή τις can introduce a question expecting a negative answer—John 4:29 “Could this be the Christ?” and James 3:11 “Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening?”—inviting agreement with the implied “No.”

Historical Translation and Interpretation

Early English versions rendered μή τις as “lest any” or “let no man,” a pattern modern translations maintain with gender-neutral “no one.” Church fathers and Reformers used these warnings to emphasize vigilance in doctrine and practice; every believer shares responsibility to ensure that “no one” corrupts the faith community.

Pastoral Applications

1. Watchfulness is communal; believers guard one another from error and sin.
2. Danger often arrives through “someone” seemingly harmless, so discernment is essential.
3. The warnings are preventive, assuring that obedience nullifies the threat.
4. Preachers can adopt the construction (“See that no one…”) to keep exhortation concrete and accountable.

Summary

Though merely two short Greek words, μή τις carries significant pastoral weight. It spotlights potential threats and mobilizes the church to preserve truth, holiness, and reward “until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:14).

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