Perseverance
Perseverance [nave]
PERSEVERANCE.1 Chr. 16:11; Job 17:9; Psa. 37:24, 28; Psa. 73:24; Psa. 138:8; Prov. 4:18; Jer. 32:40; Hos. 12:6; Matt. 24:13 Matt. 10:22; Mark 13:13. Mark 4:3-8; Luke 10:42; Luke 22:31, 32; John 6:37, 39, 40; John 8:31, 32; John 10:28, 29; John 15:4, 5, 7, 9; Acts 11:23; Acts 13:43; Acts 14:21, 22; Rom. 2:6, 7; Rom. 8:30, 33-35, 37-39; Rom. 11:29; 1 Cor. 1:8, 9; 1 Cor. 15:1, 2, 58; 1 Cor. 16:13; 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 2 Cor. 5:9, 15; Gal. 5:1, 10; Gal. 6:9; Eph. 4:14; Eph. 6:13, 18; Phil. 1:6, 27; Phil. 3:16; Phil. 4:1; Col. 1:10, 22, 23; Col. 2:7; 1 Thess. 3:8, 13; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Thess. 2:15-17; 2 Thess. 3:13; 2 Tim. 1:12, 13; 2 Tim. 2:1, 2, 12; 2 Tim. 3:14; 2 Tim. 4:18; Tit. 1:9; Heb. 2:1; Heb. 3:5, 6, 14; Heb. 4:14; Heb. 6:1, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18; Heb. 10:23, 35, 36; Heb. 12:1-13, 15; Heb. 13:9, 13; Jas. 1:4, 12, 25; Jas. 5:10, 11; 1 Pet. 1:4-7; 1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Pet. 1:10, 11; 2 Pet. 3:17, 18; 1 John 2:19, 27; Rev. 2:7, 10, 11, 17, 25-28; Rev. 3:5, 11, 12, 21; Rev. 14:12; Rev. 16:15; Rev. 21:7, 8; Rev. 22:11 See: Character; Instability; Stability.
Instances of
Jacob, in prayer, Gen. 32:24-26.
Caleb and Joshua, in representing the land of promise, Num. 14:24, 38.
PERSEVERANCE [isbe]
PERSEVERANCE - pur-se-ver'-ans: The word occurs only once in the King James Version (Eph 6:18), where it refers quite simply to persistence in prayer. In theology (especially in the phrase "final perseverance") the word has come to denote a special persistency, the undying continuance of the new life (manifested in faith and holiness) given by the Spirit of God to man. It is questioned whether such imparted life is (by its nature, or by the law of its impartation) necessarily permanent indestructible so that the once regenerate and believing man has the prospect of final glory infallibly assured. This is not the place to trace the history of a great and complex debate. It is more fitting here to point to the problem as connected with that supreme class of truths in which, because of our necessary mental limits, the entire truth can only be apprehended as the unrevealed but certain harmony of seeming contradictions. Scripture on the one hand abounds with assurances of "perseverance" as a fact, and largely intimates that an exulting anticipation of it is the intended experience of the believer (see Jn 10:28 above all, and compare among other passages Rom 8:31-37; 1 Pet 1:8,9). On the other hand, we find frequent and urgent warnings and cautions (see e.g. 1 Cor 8:11; 9:27). The teacher dealing with actual cases, as in pastoral work, should be ready to adopt both classes of utterances, each with its proper application; applying the first, e.g., to the true but timid disciple, the latter to the self-confident. Meanwhile Scripture on the whole, by the manner and weight of its positive statements, favors a humble belief of the permanence, in the plan of God, of the once-given new life. It is as if it laid down perseverance" as the divine rule for the Christian, while the negative passages came in to caution the man not to deceive himself with appearances, nor to let any belief whatever palliate the guilt and minimize the danger of sin. In the biographies of Scripture, it is noteworthy that no person appears who, at one time certainly a saint, was later certainly a castaway. The awful words of Heb 6:4-6; 10:26,27 appear to deal with cases (such as Balaam's) of much light but no loving life, and so are not precisely in point. Upon the whole subject, it is important to make "the Perseverance of the Saviour" our watchword rather than "the Perseverance of the saint."Handley Dunelm
Perseverance [baker]
[N] [T]In the NIV the term "perseverance" occurs thirteen times, all in the New Testament. Verbal forms appear a total of eight times. The noun always translates the Greek word hypomone [uJpomonhv]; the verbs translate several Greek verbs (hypomeno [uJpomevnw], epimeno [ejpimevnw], and kartereo [karterevw]).
The root of hypomone [uJpomonhv], the verb meno [mevnw], is often used of God's permanence in contrast to the mutability of human beings and the world. In hypomone [uJpomonhv] there is the idea of energetic resistance, steadfastness under pressure, and endurance in the face of trials.
In the Septuagint the word refers to either confidence in or tense expectation of ("waiting on") the power or the faithfulness of God, who delivers his people (Psalm 37:9; Isa 51:5; Micah 7:7; Zeph 3:8). It is closely linked with the idea of hope (Psalm 5:11; 7:1; 15:1; 16:7).
Passing into Judaism, hypomone [uJpomonhv] appears as an inward work, of great profit to the righteous in Hebrew life. Abraham persevered in ten temptations (Jub. 17-18); Isaac, Noah, and the prophets stood fast (4 Macc 13:12; 15:31; 16:21); the mother and her seven sons withstood the cruelty of the tyrant (16:1; 17:7) and conquered him (1:11). Such behavior was done "for the sake of God" (16:19).
In the New Testament, the main sense of hypomone [uJpomonhv] is perseverance or endurance. Faith and hope are emphasized, and there is little of the Old Testament sense of "waiting for" or "expecting." One needs to persevere to attain personally to the ultimate salvation of God. Some texts emphasize perseverance in good works (2 Cor 12:12); others, more passive, show perseverance under suffering (2 Thess 1:4). Such a stance— Paul boasting of the believers because of their steadfastness—stands in contrast to the ethics of the Greek world, which regarded this as demeaning behavior.
There are two main strands of teaching about perseverance in the New Testament: (1) the indicative or doctrinal-type statements, which basically describe the nature and the presence of this virtue in the lives of believers; and (2) the imperative or hortatory statements, stressing the need for or the results of perseverance. The only exception to this general pattern is one text in which Paul makes reference to "Christ's perseverance" (2 Thess 3:5). Many scholars regard the genitive case here as subjective, denoting Christ as the model of perseverance for believers. Such understanding accords well with the frequent New Testament references to Christ as the example for his followers (1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).
The indicative or descriptive texts occur in the letters of Paul and James, in Hebrews, and in the Apocalypse. They refer to perseverance on the part of Paul (2 Cor 12:12), his converts (2 Thess 1:4), Job (James 5:11), Moses (Heb 11:27), and the believers in Ephesus and Thyatira (Rev 2:2-3,19).
Paul's life consisted of many sufferings and hardships (see 2 Cor 11:23-33), circumstances associated with his ministry as an apostle. The word of the Lord to the newly converted Paul through Ananias was, "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name" (Acts 9:16). As apostle, in both the synagogues and to Gentile audiences, he persisted, God working through him signs, wonders, and miracles.
Paul's converts in Thessalonica had endured persecutions and trials, their lives marked by perseverance and faith. They had suffered from their own countrymen (1 Thess 2:14); they had undergone trials (3:3). Paul was concerned that the tempter might have tempted them (3:5). Yet they had persevered in faith (3:7) and would be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which they suffered (2 Thess 1:5).
James appeals to Job as an example of those who had persevered. While the prophets were examples of patience (makrothymia [makroqumiva], 5:10, a term meaning "longsuffering" or "forbearance" ), Job's experience mirrored perseverance. He remained steadfast under very difficult situations. The conclusion James draws is that "the Lord is full of compassion and mercy" (5:11), probably basing his statement on the conclusion of the story of Job (42:10, 12), where the blessing of the Lord on Job is described.
According to the Epistle to the Hebrews, Moses persevered in the face of the Egyptian king's anger "because he saw him who is invisible" (Heb 11:27). One "sees" the "invisible" by faith, an expression used three times to describe Moses' response (11:24, 27, 28).
Finally, in two of the letters addressed to the churches of Asia, the risen Lord assures believers that he knows of their perseverance (Rev 2:2-3,19). In the face of threats against orthodox teaching and against hardships they stood fast. The former were pressures from without; the latter inward endurance of trial, whatever the source.
The imperative or hortatory sorts of statements occur once in the Gospels (Luke 8:15), and in the letters of Paul (Rom 5:3-4; 1 Tim 4:16), James (1:3-4, 12), Peter (2 Peter 1:6), and the epistle to the Hebrews (10:36; 12:1).
In the parable of the sower, those who hear and produce a crop stand in contrast to the second and third types in the parable who fall away in time of trial, for they do not remain constant in adversity and they apostasize, or do not grow into maturity (Luke 8:13-14). Thus, Jesus' parable is meant to encourage believers to produce "for the long haul."
In Paul's only use of the noun hypomone [uJpomonhv] (Rom 5:3-4) he shows the crucial importance of growth between justification (5:1) and the anticipated glory (5:2). In the interim there will be suffering, but that produces steadfastness, which in turn produces (approved) character. But, one may ask, how does this occur? Do not many rebel at suffering, and even curse God? Here the end of the process is in view, what suffering finally achieves.
Timothy is called to persevere (epimeno [ejpimevnw]) with respect to his duties as a leader in the church (1 Tim 4:16). His persevering will result in his personal reputation being saved (cf. 1 Cor 9:27), and the people to whom he ministers attaining salvation.
Similar to Paul's words in Romans is the text in James 1:3-4. Testing leading to approval or showing genuineness, "develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete." But an important addition by James is the promise of "the crown of life" to those who, by their perseverance, show their love for God (1:12). Those who do persevere show their confidence in God's goodness and care, their sense that God loves them. That is an important motivation for withstanding the trial.
The list in which perseverance occurs in 2 Peter 1:5-7 is more extensive. This literary form, sometimes called climax or gradatio, was common in Stoicism and Greek popular philosophy, and occurs also in early Christian writings, although it is found otherwise only in Romans 5:3-5 among the New Testament lists of virtues. This example of perseverance is set between God's gift of life (1:3-4) and the anticipation of being welcomed into the eternal kingdom of Christ (1:11). It is because of what God has bestowed that believers are exhorted to employ faith in producing virtue. Each of those listed is the means whereby the next is produced.
The writer of Hebrews stresses the need to persevere in order to "receive what he [God] had promised" (10:36). The expression "you need to persevere" underlines the moral effort involved in doing the will of God, and thus being eligible to receive the salvation God has promised (see 11:39). In 12:1 the writer calls on readers to divest themselves of everything that would hinder running the race, and persevere, while fixing their eyes on Jesus. He is the supreme model of perseverance, and the one who gives ultimate motivation.
Because God has bestowed the gift of life by grace through faith, continuance is urged upon believers. Growth into maturity is of the nature of salvation (1 Peter 2:2b). God's grace continues to uphold and enable. Faith must be nurtured and strengthened. Hope points forward to the eschatological climax of salvation. That which God has prepared as an inheritance of believers can be attained. To those who persist he will give eternal life (Rom 2:7).
Walter M. Dunnett
See also Assurance; Endurance
Bibliography. F. Hauck, TDNT, 4:581-87; A. S. Martin, DAC, 2:186-90; J. M. Gundry Volf, Paul and Perseverance.
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[N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
[T] indicates this entry was also found in Torrey's Topical Textbook
PERSEVERANCE [bridgeway]
God requires of Christians not only that they believe the gospel, but also that they persevere in living according to the gospel, regardless of the difficulties they meet. Perseverance is proof of the genuineness of faith and leads to spiritual maturity (John 8:31; Acts 14:22; Rom 5:3-4; Col 1:21-23; Heb 3:12-14; 4:1-11; 6:11-12).When Jesus called people to believe in him, he made it clear that he was calling them into a continuous relationship with himself. Belief involved more than just a momentary decision; it involved a life of following him as a true disciple to the end (Mark 8:34-38; 13:13; Luke 9:57-62; John 15:4-6; cf. 6:60,66-68). In one of his parables Jesus showed that some people profess to be believers, but later, by their lack of perseverance, prove not to be (Mark 4:15-20).
Christians are able to persevere because of the power of God working within them (Phil 1:6; Col 1:11; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24; Rev 3:10). In addition to giving his people the promise of his power, God demands that they exercise self-discipline and effort. Christians must be on their guard and persistent in prayer if they are to endure firmly to the end (Luke 21:36; Col 4:2).
If people have true faith in God, they will prove it by their steadfast trust in his power and promises. Their perseverance is not something God rewards by giving them salvation, but something that gives proof of their salvation. It shows that their faith is genuine (Mark 13:13,22-23; Luke 21:36; Phil 3:13-14; 2 Tim 4:7-8).
At times people may be tempted to give up their Christian commitment. The source of their troubles may be the trials of life, persecution, desire for personal prosperity, worry, laziness or false teaching (Mark 4:17-18; 13:13; 1 Tim 4:1; 6:10; Heb 2:1; 10:32-39). Christians can fight against these temptations by training themselves in godliness, resisting the pressures of the world, continuing steadfastly in the truth they have believed, learning more of God through the Scriptures, and giving themselves wholeheartedly to whatever work God has entrusted to them (2 Thess 2:14-15; 1 Tim 4:7,15; 6:11-12; 2 Tim 2:10; 3:14-17; Heb 4:14; 6:1-3; 10:23; Jude 20-21).
The outcome of Christian endurance will be the experience of salvation in its fullest expression at the return of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:24-25; 2 Tim 4:7-8; 1 Peter 1:6-9; Rev 2:26-28). The expectation of Christ’s return is therefore a constant incentive to perseverance (Matt 24:45-51; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Tim 2:11-12; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:14,17; 1 John 2:28).
