Learned (3129) (manthano related to the noun mathetes = disciple, literally a learner! The shut mind is the end of discipleship!) has the basic meaning of directing one’s mind to something and producing an external effect. Manthano refers to teaching, learning, instructing, and discipling. Manthano to genuinely understand and accept a teaching, to accept it as true and to apply it in one’s life. It was sometimes used of acquiring a life-long habit. Zuck writes that according to manthano.. learning is a matter of a pupil acquiring knowledge of content through a teacher to the extent that such knowledge is experienced in the life. (Bibliotheca Sacra) MacArthur adds that manthano... refers to teaching, learning, instructing, and discipling. Paul is referring here to his personal instruction and discipling of the Philippians. (MacArthur, J. Philippians. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos) Richards has an informative note on manthano and the related word mathetes... In Greek culture prior to Socrates, manthano described the process by which a person sought theoretical knowledge. A mathetes was one who attached himself to another to gain some practical or theoretical knowledge, whether by instruction or by experience. The word came to be used both of apprentices who were learning a trade and of adherents of various philosophical schools. After the time of Socrates, the word lost favor with the philosophers, who were not at all happy with its association with labor. But the concept of discipleship was most popular in the Judaism of Jesus' day. Rabbis had disciples who studied with them in a well-defined and special relationship. The need for training was intensely felt in the Jewish community, which believed that no one could understand Scripture without a teacher's guidance. A disciple in Judaism had to master--in addition to the Scriptures of the OT--the oral and written traditions that had grown up around the Scriptures. Only after being so taught might a person become a rabbi himself or teach with any authority. This notion is expressed in the Jews' amazed reaction to Jesus' public teaching: "How did this man get such learning without having studied?" (Jn 7:15). Jesus taught with authority without having gone through the only process that the Jews felt could qualify anyone to teach. Several aspects of the rabbi-disciple relationship in first-century Judaism are significant. The disciple left his home and moved in with his teacher. He served the teacher in the most servile ways, treating him as an absolute authority. The disciple was expected not only to learn all that his rabbi knew but also to become like him in character and piety (Mt 10:24; Lk 6:40). The rabbi in return provided food and lodging and saw his own distinctive interpretations transmitted through his disciples to future generations. So when Mark says that Jesus chose twelve men "that they might be with him" (Mk 3:14), he accurately reflects contemporary understanding of how future leaders should be trained. (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency) Detzler writes that... The emphasis on discipleship in Greek is not formal school learning, but rather fellowship with the teacher. It is seen in two situations. First, it refers to the followers of a certain philosopher. They derived not just information from their teacher but also inspiration. Disciples learned the teacher's entire outlook on life, not just the facts which he taught. Second, discipleship had a religious context. It was seen in the pre-Christian mystery religions and in the Greek schools of the Epicureans and Stoics. Discipleship involved two principles. First, it meant that the disciples had fellowship with their teacher. They lived with him as Jesus' disciples lived with Him. Second, disciples carried on the tradition of their teacher. After he died they taught the same things that he did. Disciples were the main means of perpetuating teaching in the ancient world, since many great teachers wrote no books. (Detzler, Wayne E: New Testament Words in Today's Language. Victor. 1986) Manthano is used 25 times in the NT... Matthew 9:13 "But go and learn (aorist imperative) what this means, 'I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn (aorist imperative) from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. Matthew 24:32 "Now learn (aorist imperative) the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near (Comment: Jesus wanted the disciples to learn in their inmost beings what He was teaching, to understand and receive it with regard to its great importance.) Mark 13:28 "Now learn (aorist imperative) the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. John 6:45 "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught of God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. John 7:15 The Jews therefore were marveling, saying, "How has this man become learned, having never been educated?" Acts 23:27 "When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came upon them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. Romans 16:17 (note) Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 1 Corinthians 4:6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. 1 Corinthians 14:31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 1 Corinthians 14:35 And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Galatians 3:2 This is the only thing I want to find out (learn - manthano) from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Ephesians 4:20 (note) But you did not learn Christ in this way, Philippians 4:9 (note) The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:11 (note) Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Comment: John MacArthur writes that learning in this context "is much more than mere head knowledge; it involves genuine acceptance of a truth and determination to live a life consistent with it") Colossians 1:7 (note) just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 1 Timothy 2:11 Let a woman quietly receive instruction (present imperative) with entire submissiveness. 1 Timothy 5:4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn (present imperative) to practice piety in regard to their own family, and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 1 Timothy 5:13 And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. 2 Timothy 3:7 (note) always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:14 (note) You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; Titus 3:14 (note) And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful. Hebrews 5:8 (note) Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. Revelation 14:3 (note) And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. There are 24 uses of manthano in the Septuagint (LXX) (Exod. 2:4; Deut. 4:10; 5:1; 14:23; 17:19; 18:9; 31:12f; 1 Chr. 25:8; Est. 1:1; 4:5; Job 34:36; Ps. 106:35; 119:7, 71, 73; Prov. 6:8; 17:16; 22:25; Isa. 1:17; 2:4; 8:16; 26:9f; 28:19; 29:24; 32:4; 47:12; Jer. 9:5; 10:2; 12:16; 13:23; Ezek. 19:3, 6; Mic. 4:3) Many instances refer to learning to fear the LORD. Deuteronomy 4:10 Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, 'Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn (Hebrew = lamad = accept, learn, be taught; Lxx = manthano) to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.' Deuteronomy 17:19 And it (a copy of the Law) shall be with him (the king of Israel - he was to write for himself a copy of the law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests), and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn (Hebrew = lamad = accept, learn, be taught; Lxx = manthano) to fear the LORD his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, Deuteronomy 18:9 When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn (Hebrew = lamad = accept, learn, be taught; Lxx = manthano) to imitate the detestable things of those nations. Psalm 106:35 (Spurgeon's note) But they mingled with the nations, And learned (Hebrew = lamad = accept, learn, be taught; Lxx = manthano) their practices, Psalm 119:7 (Spurgeon's note) I shall give thanks to Thee with uprightness of heart, When I learn Thy righteous judgments. Psalm 119:71 (Spurgeon's note) It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Thy statutes. Psalm 119:73 (Spurgeon's note) Thy hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless; Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.