Lexical Summary hupomoné: Endurance, perseverance, patience, steadfastness Original Word: ὑπομονή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance enduring, patience, steadfastFrom 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 Originfrom 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: ὑπομονήὑπομονή, ὑπομονῆς, ἡ (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); 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)); 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.) 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. Englishman's Concordance Luke 8:15 N-DFSGRK: 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 Romans 2:7 N-AFS Romans 5:3 N-AFS Romans 5:4 N-NFS Romans 8:25 N-GFS Romans 15:4 N-GFS Romans 15:5 N-GFS 2 Corinthians 1:6 N-DFS 2 Corinthians 6:4 N-DFS 2 Corinthians 12:12 N-DFS Colossians 1:11 N-AFS 1 Thessalonians 1:3 N-GFS 2 Thessalonians 1:4 N-GFS 2 Thessalonians 3:5 N-AFS 1 Timothy 6:11 N-AFS 2 Timothy 3:10 N-DFS Titus 2:2 N-DFS Hebrews 10:36 N-GFS Hebrews 12:1 N-GFS James 1:3 N-AFS James 1:4 N-NFS James 5:11 N-AFS 2 Peter 1:6 N-AFS 2 Peter 1:6 N-DFS Strong's Greek 5281 |
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