What Does 1 Corinthians 16:8 Mean in the King James?

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

1 Corinthians 16:8 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Greek word for “tarry” means to remain, and “until Pentecost” gives that staying a clear boundary.

THE MEANING

When staying feels like delay, this verse holds it as a real season with an edge. “Until Pentecost” names the limit: the remaining is not endless.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The belief that waiting has no end meets a clear boundary here: the staying lasts “until Pentecost.”

THE ROOT

ἐπιμενῶ

epimenō

GROWS FROM

μένω

menō

To remain, stay, or continue.

“tarry” in this verse is epimenō. ⁨ἐπιμενῶ⁩ (epimenō) means “I will remain” or “I will continue to stay”; it carries the root ⁨μένω⁩ (menō), “remain.” The same root forms ⁨μονή⁩ (monē), “dwelling”: what English can make sound like mere delay also shares a seed with making one’s place of stay.

ALSO GROWS

paramenō: Remain beside; continue.

παραμένω

This compound keeps ⁨μένω⁩, “remain,” and shows the root continuing to describe presence over time.

monē: Dwelling place; abode.

μονή

In John 14:2, KJV “mansions” translates this word; its relation to ⁨μένω⁩ connects remaining with dwelling.

THE PATTERN

A season of staying takes shape when its time or limit is named.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 · KJVThe verse places each purpose within a season, giving time a shape rather than leaving it undefined.

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

John 11:6 · KJVThe stay is expressed as remaining in place for a named span: two days.

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

Luke 13:8 · KJVThe request for more time names both its span and its edge: “this year also, till.”

THE THREAD

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:4 · KJV

“Abide” here is ⁨μένω⁩ (menō), “remain,” the same root carried in ⁨ἐπιμενῶ⁩ (epimenō), “I will remain,” in 1 Corinthians 16:8. The stay in Ephesus and the branch’s remaining in the vine share one verbal seed: continuing presence.

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