Hey, Mike,

I hope you are doing well. My wife and I had a conversation recently about the streets of gold and mansions. The explanation I gave to her was that the streets of gold represent our path in God’s righteousness and that mansions are God’s people individually and collectively while in His kingdom. I also said that I thought that the word mansions was used because it represents a higher level than house once we are in his kingdom. I’m not sure if there is any proof of that statement, and I told her that I would have to study that more to see what the bible says in regards to that. If you have any input, I would appreciate the help.

Thanks and take care,

P___

Hi P___,

It is good to see that you are talking with your wife about the Word of God. Your understanding of “streets of gold” is right on, and so is your understanding of the mansions being God’s people. God dwells in His people. But it is not necessarily accurate to say that the word “mansions” is used  “because it represents a higher level than house once we are in his kingdom.”

The Greek word translated ‘mansions’ is the word “mone.” Now here is Strong’s definition of that word.

G3438
μονη
mone
mon- ay’

From G3306; a staying, that is, residence (the act or the place): – abode, mansion.

It appears just twice in the New Testament and both are in this same fourteenth chapter of John.

G3438
μονη
mone

Total KJV Occurrences: 2

abode, 1

Joh 14:23

mansions, 1

Joh 14:2

Here are those two verses:

Joh 14:2  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The second use, verse 23, explains the meaning of the word. It simply means an abode, or a place of residence. God’s “house” is a “house” of “many abodes.” Scripture makes it clear that the place of God’s residence is not in temples made with men’s hands, but He lives within the people of God.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

We are God’s temple, and He dwells within us. That is the mansions of Joh 14.

I hope this helps you explain this.

Your brother in Christ,

Mike