The word “abide”, as used in John 15:7. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.” It is understood, in this verse, that we are to do something (abide), to receive something (anything we ask). Read this word study carefully and prayerfully and may the Lord give you light.

Abide, from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

3306 Meno A prime verb; To stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): -abide, continue dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own. (The 'X' is a multiple that means: It not only applies to “this”, but it also applies to “this”)
        1961 Epimeno To stay over; ie. remain,
        3887 Parameno To stay near; ie. remain.
        4357 Prosmeno To stay further; ie. Remain in a place with a person.

NOTE: The parenthesis: To stay: includes the four conditions inside the above parenthesis. Ex. To stay (in a given place), or, to stay (in a given state). etc. The word 'for' is in parenthesis. It may be added to each of the words preceeding it. Ex. abide (for), continue (for), dwell (for), endure (for), etc. The question is, (for) what? Since the multiple (X) is for “thine own (self), the (for) can only be others, including The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

The word abide is used 55 times in the NT. 43 times it is used in the broader sense of 33069 Meno. In order to obey the literal meaning of the word and its various applications, one would necessarily have to know what the Word of Lord is to them in any given set of circumstances on a daily basis. This implies that one can hear Jesus when He speaks and will do what He says, expecting that the Lord will do what He promises to do. Most Christians when using the excuse that they are “abiding”, use it in the sense of "I'm staying near the Lord", as in 3887, Parameno: to stay near. When, in fact, they are merely doing as they please.

This word (Parameno), is used only once in the NT and was not used in relation to the Lord. Paul used it when he was expressing a personal desire to be with certain people. Christians today use it as an excuse to do as they wish, to be with people of their choice, and to believe what they choose to believe. “With their mouths they show much love, but their hearts are far from me’. The main thrust of this teaching is to encourage us to do our part so the Lord is free to do His part.

Abide (Meno) means: To Stay,

        In a given place for ________ (Others)
        In a given state for ________ (Others)
        In a given expectancy for ________ (Others)
        In a given relationship for ________ (Others)
        In a given place for (X thine own) ________ (Self)
        In a given state for (X thine own) ________ (Self)
        In a given expectancy for (X thine own ________ (Self)
        In a given relationship for (X thine own) ________ (Self)

We can, therefore, put these meanings together in multiple ways as long as we stay in the context of “abiding” in its action (verb) form, Abiding (Meno) is a very definitive but ‘searching” word. It is also a very secure but “exposing” word, One might even go so far as to include Jesus Christ the Lord in amongst the “others”, for it is Jesus that promises to give us what we ask if His words abide in us. So, Meno also means to abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, or tarry, (in a given place, OR state, OR relation OR expectancy) for _______ (Others); (X thine own) _______ (Self), so that I may ask for and receive for others and for myself from Jesus. To wit:

        ABIDE in a given place, state, relation or expectancy for ________(Others)
        ABIDE in a given place, state, relation or expectancy for ________(Self)

        CONTINUE: for others and self. Lets expand it some more.
        CONTINUE in a given place for others and self.
        CONTINUE in a given state for others and self.
        CONTINUE in a given relation for others and self.
        CONTINUE in a given expectancy for others and self.

        DWELL: for others and self,  Plus multiple meanings.

        ENDURE: for others and self, Plus the multiple meanings.
        BE PRESENT: for others and self, Plus multiple meanings.

        Etc., Etc. for others and self, Plus multiple meanings.

So that I may ask for and receive ________ for others and________ for myself.

As sheep that hear the Masters voice, there is no excuse for not knowing what to insert in the blanks. As sheep that hear the Masters voice, there is no excuse for abiding in the place you choose, abiding in the state you choose, abiding in the relationships you choose or abiding in expectations that you choose. Do not deceive yourself into believing that you are “abiding” (Meno), when your attitudes, actions, finances, relationships, etc., are a mess. You are not abiding in Jesus, nor are His words abiding in you, regardless of how many of the Scriptures you can quote, or how you choose to believe the Scriptures you can quote. You are abiding in self, which is the reason you're in the condition you are in. Abide in Jesus and let His words abide in you on a moment by moment basis so that you may ask what you will and it shall be done for you. Repent and be healed.

Here are some sample questions one may ask of themselves to yet the full meaning of the word abide.

Q. Why do I stay in this body of believers?
     A. I stay so that God can use me in ________ ‘s life and so that God can use him/her in my life.

Q. Why do I endure such terrible relationship with ________?
     A. I endure so that God can use me to help ________ properly relate and so that I can learn to properly relate.

Q. Why should I abide in my prayer closet, in a prayerful state, seeking relationship with Jesus and expecting Him to respond?
     A. So that I can ask what I will and it will be done for me.