5281. hupomoné
Lexical Summary
hupomoné: Endurance, perseverance, patience, steadfastness

Original Word: ὑπομονή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: hupomoné
Pronunciation: hoo-po-mo-NAY
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-om-on-ay')
KJV: enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting)
NASB: perseverance, endurance, steadfastness, patient enduring
Word Origin: [from G5278 (ὑπομένω - endured)]

1. cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
enduring, patience, steadfast

From hupomeno; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy -- enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

see GREEK hupomeno

HELPS Word-studies

5281 hypomonḗ (from 5259 /hypó, "under" and 3306 /ménō, "remain, endure") – properly, remaining under, endurance; steadfastness, especially as God enables the believer to "remain (endure) under" the challenges He allots in life.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from hupomenó
Definition
a remaining behind, a patient enduring
NASB Translation
endurance (7), patient enduring (1), perseverance (21), steadfastness (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5281: ὑπομονή

ὑπομονή, ὑπομονῆς, (ὑπομένω);

1. steadfastness, constancy, endurance (Vulg. in 1 Thessalonians 1:3sustinentia, in James 5:11sufferentia); in the N. T. the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings: Luke 8:15; Luke 21:19; Romans 5:3; Romans 15:4; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Colossians 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 3:10; Titus 2:2; Hebrews 10:36; James 1:3; James 5:11; 2 Peter 1:6; Revelation 2:2f, 19; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 14:12 (cf. 4 Macc. 1:11; 9:8, 30; 15:30(27); ); with a genitive of the thing persevered in (Winer's Grammar, § 30, 1 at the end): τοῦ ἔργου ἀγαθοῦ, Romans 2:7; τῆς ἐλπίδος, 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (cf. Buttmann, 155 (136)); δἰ ὑπομονῆς (with patience (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 51, 1 b.) i. e.) patiently and steadfastly, Romans 8:25; Hebrews 12:1.

2. a patient, steadfast waiting for; (others question this sense in the New Testament, and render the genitive by 'characterizing', 'in respect to', etc.): Χριστοῦ (genitive of the object), the return of Christ from heaven, 2 Thessalonians 3:5; Revelation 1:9 (where L T Tr WH ἐν Ἰησοῦ (which is in Jesus)); (cf. Psalm 38:8 (); for מִקְוֶה, expectation, hope, 2 Esdr. 10:2; Jeremiah 14:8; Jeremiah 17:13; for תִּקְוָה, hope, Ps. (); (); (); (Job 14:19); for תּוחֶלֶת, Proverbs 10:28 Symm.; ὑπομένειν τινα, Xenophon, an. 4, 1, 21; Appendix,

b. 104:5, 81).

3. a patient enduring, sustaining: τῶν παθημάτων, 2 Corinthians 1:6 (λύπης, Plato, definition, p. 412 c.; θανάτου, Plutarch, Pelop. 1). (Synonym: see μακροθυμία, at the end.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 5281 (hypomonē) conveys steadfast endurance that clings to God in the face of pressure. More than passive waiting, it is active, faith-filled perseverance that refuses to abandon obedience or hope. While English versions alternately render the term “endurance,” “perseverance,” or “patience,” its essence is a Spirit-empowered tenacity that remains under trial until God’s purpose is fulfilled.

Grounded in God’s Nature

Romans 15:5 speaks of “the God of endurance and encouragement,” rooting human perseverance in God’s own character. Because He is immutable, believers may endure with confidence that His promises will not fail (Hebrews 10:36).

Seen Perfectly in Christ

Jesus Christ embodies hypomonē. Hebrews 12:2–3 calls believers to “consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners,” so we “will not grow weary and lose heart.” His earthly life illustrates obedience maintained through suffering (Luke 8:15; Revelation 1:9), climaxing at the cross where He “remained under” until redemption was secured.

Essential for Salvation and Sanctification

Hypomonē does not earn salvation, yet it inseparably accompanies saving faith. Romans 2:7 links eternal life with those “who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality.” Likewise, Hebrews 10:36 urges, “You need endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” Genuine faith perseveres; counterfeit faith collapses under testing (Luke 8:13–15).

Progressive sanctification also requires hypomonē. James 1:3–4 explains that trials “produce perseverance,” and perseverance must “finish its work” so the believer becomes “mature and complete.” The virtue therefore shapes Christ-likeness through every hardship.

Forged Through Suffering

Trials and afflictions are the divinely appointed furnace in which endurance is tempered. “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance” (Romans 5:3-4). Far from hindering spiritual growth, adversity is the means by which character is refined and hope deepened.

Interwoven with Faith, Hope, and Love

Faith trusts God’s word, hope anticipates its fulfillment, and love serves others even when costly; hypomonē sustains all three. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 commends the “work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope.” Without perseverance faith would wither, hope would fade, and love would falter.

A Corporate Virtue

Church leaders model hypomonē (2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:10). Older men are exhorted to be “temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and endurance” (Titus 2:2). Congregations under pressure are praised for it: “I know your deeds, your toil, and your perseverance” (Revelation 2:2). Endurance thus binds believers together, enabling unity amid opposition (Romans 15:5-6).

Eschatological Significance

Apocalyptic passages portray hypomonē as indispensable in the last days. Revelation 13:10 and 14:12 declare, “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints,” while Revelation 3:10 promises preservation for those who have kept Christ’s command to persevere. Endurance equips the church to withstand persecution and deception until Christ returns.

Historical Witness

Early Christian literature echoes the New Testament emphasis. Second-century martyrdom accounts praise hypomonē as believers faced arenas and flames. The virtue distinguished Christians from pagan fatalism; it testified to resurrection hope and the indwelling Spirit (cf. Polycarp’s steadfastness).

Pastoral and Personal Application

1. Cultivate endurance through Scripture: “For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

2. Pray for divine enablement: “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and the endurance of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

3. Embrace trials as training: Suffering is not accidental but purposeful, conforming believers to Christ (2 Corinthians 1:6).

4. Encourage one another: Corporate worship, mutual exhortation, and disciplined discipleship sustain perseverance (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Summary

Hypomonē is the Spirit-wrought steadfastness that anchors believers to Christ, matures character, secures hope, and advances the gospel, both in daily discipleship and in the fiery tests preceding the Lord’s return.

Forms and Transliterations
υπομονη υπομονή ὑπομονὴ ὑπομονῇ υπομονην υπομονήν ὑπομονήν ὑπομονὴν υπομονης υπομονής ὑπομονῆς hypomone hypomonē hypomonḕ hypomonêi hypomonē̂i hypomonen hypomonēn hypomonḗn hypomonḕn hypomones hypomonês hypomonēs hypomonē̂s upomone upomonē upomonen upomonēn upomones upomonēs
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 8:15 N-DFS
GRK: καρποφοροῦσιν ἐν ὑπομονῇ
NAS: and bear fruit with perseverance.
KJV: bring forth fruit with patience.
INT: bring forth fruit by perseverance

Luke 21:19 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν τῇ ὑπομονῇ ὑμῶν κτήσασθε
NAS: By your endurance you will gain
KJV: In your patience possess ye your
INT: By the endurance of you gain

Romans 2:7 N-AFS
GRK: μὲν καθ' ὑπομονὴν ἔργου ἀγαθοῦ
NAS: to those who by perseverance in doing
KJV: To them who by patient continuance in well
INT: indeed with endurance in work good

Romans 5:3 N-AFS
GRK: ἡ θλίψις ὑπομονὴν κατεργάζεται
NAS: brings about perseverance;
KJV: tribulation worketh patience;
INT: the tribulation endurance produces

Romans 5:4 N-NFS
GRK: ἡ δὲ ὑπομονὴ δοκιμήν ἡ
NAS: and perseverance, proven
KJV: And patience, experience; and
INT: and endurance character

Romans 8:25 N-GFS
GRK: ἐλπίζομεν δι' ὑπομονῆς ἀπεκδεχόμεθα
NAS: we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly
KJV: with patience wait for
INT: we hope for in patience we await

Romans 15:4 N-GFS
GRK: διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ διὰ
NAS: that through perseverance and the encouragement
KJV: we through patience and comfort
INT: through endurance and through

Romans 15:5 N-GFS
GRK: θεὸς τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ τῆς
NAS: who gives perseverance and encouragement
KJV: the God of patience and
INT: God of endurance and

2 Corinthians 1:6 N-DFS
GRK: ἐνεργουμένης ἐν ὑπομονῇ τῶν αὐτῶν
NAS: which is effective in the patient enduring of the same
KJV: in the enduring of the same
INT: being done in [the] endurance of the same

2 Corinthians 6:4 N-DFS
GRK: διάκονοι ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ ἐν
NAS: in much endurance, in afflictions,
KJV: in much patience, in afflictions,
INT: servants in endurance much in

2 Corinthians 12:12 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν πάσῃ ὑπομονῇ σημείοις τε
NAS: you with all perseverance, by signs
KJV: in all patience, in signs,
INT: in all perseverance signs also

Colossians 1:11 N-AFS
GRK: εἰς πᾶσαν ὑπομονὴν καὶ μακροθυμίαν
NAS: for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;
KJV: unto all patience and longsuffering
INT: to all endurance and patience

1 Thessalonians 1:3 N-GFS
GRK: καὶ τῆς ὑπομονῆς τῆς ἐλπίδος
NAS: of love and steadfastness of hope
KJV: of love, and patience of hope in our
INT: and the endurance of hope

2 Thessalonians 1:4 N-GFS
GRK: ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑπομονῆς ὑμῶν καὶ
NAS: of God for your perseverance and faith
KJV: for your patience and faith
INT: for the endurance of you and

2 Thessalonians 3:5 N-AFS
GRK: εἰς τὴν ὑπομονὴν τοῦ χριστοῦ
NAS: of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.
KJV: into the patient waiting for Christ.
INT: into the steadfastness of Christ

1 Timothy 6:11 N-AFS
GRK: πίστιν ἀγάπην ὑπομονήν πραϋπαθίαν
NAS: love, perseverance [and] gentleness.
KJV: faith, love, patience, meekness.
INT: faith love endurance gentleness

2 Timothy 3:10 N-DFS
GRK: ἀγάπῃ τῇ ὑπομονῇ
NAS: patience, love, perseverance,
KJV: longsuffering, charity, patience,
INT: love the endurance

Titus 2:2 N-DFS
GRK: ἀγάπῃ τῇ ὑπομονῇ
NAS: in faith, in love, in perseverance.
KJV: in faith, in charity, in patience.
INT: in love in endurance

Hebrews 10:36 N-GFS
GRK: ὑπομονῆς γὰρ ἔχετε
NAS: need of endurance, so
KJV: need of patience, that,
INT: endurance indeed you have

Hebrews 12:1 N-GFS
GRK: ἁμαρτίαν δι' ὑπομονῆς τρέχωμεν τὸν
NAS: us, and let us run with endurance the race
KJV: with patience the race
INT: sin with endurance we should run the

James 1:3 N-AFS
GRK: πίστεως κατεργάζεται ὑπομονήν
NAS: of your faith produces endurance.
KJV: faith worketh patience.
INT: faith produces endurance

James 1:4 N-NFS
GRK: ἡ δὲ ὑπομονὴ ἔργον τέλειον
NAS: And let endurance have [its] perfect
KJV: But let patience have [her] perfect
INT: and [the] endurance work perfect

James 5:11 N-AFS
GRK: ὑπομείναντας τὴν ὑπομονὴν Ἰὼβ ἠκούσατε
NAS: You have heard of the endurance of Job
KJV: Ye have heard of the patience of Job,
INT: having endured The endurance of Job you have heard of

2 Peter 1:6 N-AFS
GRK: ἐγκρατείᾳ τὴν ὑπομονήν ἐν δὲ
NAS: and in [your] self-control, perseverance, and in [your] perseverance,
KJV: to temperance patience; and to
INT: self-control the endurance in moreover

2 Peter 1:6 N-DFS
GRK: δὲ τῇ ὑπομονῇ τὴν εὐσέβειαν
NAS: perseverance, and in [your] perseverance, godliness,
KJV: and to patience godliness;
INT: moreover the endurance the godliness

Strong's Greek 5281
32 Occurrences


ὑπομονῇ — 13 Occ.
ὑπομονὴν — 11 Occ.
ὑπομονῆς — 8 Occ.

5280
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