Stedfastness, often synonymous with steadfastness, refers to the quality of being resolute, firm, and unwavering in one's faith and convictions. This virtue is highly esteemed in the Christian life, as it reflects a deep commitment to God and His teachings, regardless of external circumstances or challenges.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of stedfastness is woven throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and faithfulness. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to remain stedfast in their faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:58 , Paul writes, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be stedfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Here, stedfastness is linked to the assurance of the resurrection and the eternal significance of one's labor for the Lord.

Similarly, in Colossians 1:23 , Paul encourages the church to "continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel that you heard." This passage underscores the necessity of remaining grounded in the truth of the gospel, highlighting stedfastness as a defense against false teachings and spiritual drift.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament also provides rich examples of stedfastness. The psalmist declares in Psalm 112:7 , "He will not fear bad news; his heart is stedfast, trusting in the LORD." This verse illustrates how stedfastness is rooted in trust and confidence in God's sovereignty and goodness, enabling the believer to face adversity without fear.

The life of Job serves as a profound testament to stedfastness. Despite immense suffering and loss, Job remains faithful to God, exemplifying unwavering devotion. In Job 13:15 , he proclaims, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him." Job's stedfastness is characterized by an enduring hope and trust in God's ultimate justice and mercy.

Stedfastness in the Early Church

The early Christian community is marked by its stedfastness in the face of persecution and trials. Acts 2:42 describes the early believers as devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This devotion reflects a collective stedfastness that fortified the church against external pressures and internal divisions.

The Apostle Peter also addresses the theme of stedfastness in his epistles. In 1 Peter 5:9 , he urges believers to "resist him, standing firm in your faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." Here, stedfastness is portrayed as a communal effort, strengthened by the shared experiences and support of the global body of Christ.

Practical Application

Stedfastness is not merely a passive trait but an active pursuit. It involves a continual commitment to spiritual disciplines such as prayer, study of Scripture, and participation in the life of the church. Hebrews 10:23 exhorts believers to "hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." This call to stedfastness is grounded in the faithfulness of God, who empowers believers to remain firm in their convictions.

In the face of modern challenges, stedfastness remains a vital attribute for Christians. It calls for a resolute adherence to biblical truth, moral integrity, and a life that reflects the character of Christ. As believers cultivate stedfastness, they bear witness to the transformative power of the gospel and the enduring hope found in Jesus Christ.STEDFASTNESS

sted'-fast-nes:

(1) stereoma, "firmness": "The steadfastness of your faith in Christ" (Colossians 2:5). Some take this figuratively, in a military sense, of a "solid front" (see Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of New Testament, under the word).

(2) sterigmos, "stability" (2 Peter 3:17; compare 1 Corinthians 15:58).

4740. sterigmos -- a setting firmly, steadfastness
... steadfastness. From sterizo; stability (figuratively) -- stedfastness. see GREEK
sterizo. (sterigmou) -- 1 Occurrence. 4739, 4740. sterigmos. 4741 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4740.htm - 6k

4733. stereoma -- a solid body, a support, strength, firmness
... steadfastness. From stereoo; something established, ie (abstractly) confirmation
(stability) -- stedfastness. see GREEK stereoo. (stereoma) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4733.htm - 6k

Exhortations to Stedfastness and Unity.
... Chapter XX."Exhortations to stedfastness and unity. Stand fast, brethren,
in the faith of Jesus Christ, and in His love, in His ...
/.../chapter xx exhortations to stedfastness and.htm

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
... SERMON XVIII. Stedfastness in the Old Paths. "Thus saith the Lord, Stand
ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xviii stedfastness in the.htm

His Own Sufferings: Exhortation to Stedfastness.
... Chapter I."His own sufferings: exhortation to stedfastness. From Syria
even unto Rome I fight with beasts: not that I am devoured ...
/.../chapter i his own sufferings exhortation.htm

The Second Epistle of St. Peter
... to furnish your faith with resolution, resolution with intelligence, ^6 intelligence
with self-control, self-control with stedfastness, stedfastness with piety ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the second epistle of st.htm

Epistle viii. To the Martyrs and Confessors.
... and common warmth of virtue, as it behoves the soldiers of Christ in the divine
camp: that no allurements may deceive the incorruptible stedfastness of your ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle viii to the martyrs.htm

However, as we have Already Remarked, it Cannot but Distress us ...
... the Christians rejoice, and Christian wives take encouragement." Afterwards he came
to see his error in having tempted so many from their stedfastness by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to scapula/chapter iii however as we.htm

But If, for the Contest's Sake, God had Appointed Martyrdoms for ...
... into public view, into this open ground of the world, to be seen by men, and angels,
and all powers?"to test flesh and spirit as to stedfastness and endurance ...
/.../tertullian/scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter vi but if for.htm

Of the Truth and Its Steps, and of God.
... From all of these steps, as I have said, there is a rapid and easy gliding to a
downfall, [1636] unless the feet are firmly planted with unshaken stedfastness. ...
/.../chap ii of the truth and.htm

Treatise iii. On the Lapsed.
... 3. Let none, my beloved brethren, let none depreciate this glory; let none by malignant
dispraise detract from the uncorrupted stedfastness of those who have ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise iii on the lapsed.htm

If, Again, it is Certain that we are the Most Wicked of Men...
... For the younger Pliny, when he was ruler of a province, having condemned some
Christians to death, and driven some from their stedfastness, being still annoyed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter ii if again it.htm

Stedfastness (17 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia STEDFASTNESS. sted'-fast-nes ... 58).
Multi-Version Concordance Stedfastness (17 Occurrences). Romans 5 ...
/s/stedfastness.htm - 12k

Patience (59 Occurrences)
... hupomone carries in it the ideas of endurance, continuance (Luke 8:15; Luke 21:19
Romans 5:3, 4, the American Standard Revised Version "stedfastness"; Romans 8 ...
/p/patience.htm - 27k

Stedfastly (23 Occurrences)

/s/stedfastly.htm - 12k

Verity (2 Occurrences)
... Verity is the translation of 'emeth, "truth," "stedfastness" (Psalm 111:7, "The
works of his hands are verity and judgment," the American Standard Revised ...
/v/verity.htm - 9k

Verily (146 Occurrences)
... Verity is the translation of 'emeth, "truth," "stedfastness" (Psalm 111:7, "The
works of his hands are verity and judgment," the American Standard Revised ...
/v/verily.htm - 39k

Orderly (8 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:5 for if even in the flesh I am absent -- yet in the spirit I am with
you, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in ...
/o/orderly.htm - 9k

Justus (3 Occurrences)
... composed the membership of the church in Rome at this time, and who within the next
few years proved their loyalty to Christ by their stedfastness unto death ...
/j/justus.htm - 12k

Joying (1 Occurrence)
... Colossians 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit,
joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in ...
/j/joying.htm - 6k

Girded (48 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope
with perfect stedfastness in the grace which will be brought to you at the ...
/g/girded.htm - 21k

Impious (19 Occurrences)
... 3:17 Ye, then, beloved, knowing before, take heed, lest, together with the error
of the impious being led away, ye may fall from your own stedfastness, (YLT). ...
/i/impious.htm - 11k

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