Definition and Meaning:
Perseverance in the Christian context refers to the steadfastness and endurance in faith and practice, despite trials, temptations, and difficulties. It is the continued effort to maintain one's faith and commitment to God's commandments, trusting in His promises and grace.

Biblical References:

1. James 1:12 : "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." This verse highlights the reward for those who endure trials with faith, emphasizing the eternal perspective of perseverance.

2. Romans 5:3-4 : "Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Here, perseverance is seen as a process that builds character and hope, suggesting that enduring hardships is integral to spiritual growth.

3. Hebrews 12:1 : "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us." This passage encourages believers to persevere in their spiritual journey, inspired by the examples of faith from those who have gone before.

4. Galatians 6:9 : "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." This verse encourages believers to continue doing good, with the assurance that perseverance will lead to a fruitful outcome.

5. 2 Timothy 4:7 : "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." The Apostle Paul reflects on his life of perseverance in faith, illustrating the fulfillment and completion of his spiritual journey.

Theological Significance:

Perseverance is a key aspect of the Christian life, reflecting the believer's commitment to God amidst challenges. It is often associated with the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, which holds that true believers will persist in faith until the end, sustained by God's grace. This doctrine emphasizes God's sovereignty and faithfulness in preserving His people.

Practical Application:

Christians are called to persevere in their faith by relying on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. This involves regular prayer, studying Scripture, participating in fellowship with other believers, and maintaining a life of obedience and service. Perseverance is not merely passive endurance but an active pursuit of holiness and godliness.

Examples from Scripture:

· Job: The account of Job exemplifies perseverance through suffering. Despite losing everything, Job remained faithful to God, ultimately receiving restoration and blessing.

· The Early Church: The early Christians faced persecution and hardship, yet they persevered in spreading the Gospel, demonstrating unwavering faith and commitment.

Encouragement for Believers:

Believers are encouraged to persevere by focusing on Jesus Christ, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). By fixing their eyes on Him, Christians can find the strength to endure trials and remain faithful to their calling.(v. i.) To maintain a purpose in spite of opposition or discouragement; not to give or abandon what is undertaken.1696. emmeno -- to abide in, fig. to be true to, to persevere
... to be true to, to persevere. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: emmeno Phonetic
Spelling: (em-men'-o) Short Definition: I remain or abide in, abide by ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1696.htm - 7k

3114. makrothumeo -- to persevere, to be patient
... to persevere, to be patient. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: makrothumeo Phonetic
Spelling: (mak-roth-oo-meh'-o) Short Definition: I suffer long, have ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3114.htm - 7k

4739. steko -- to stand, spec. stand firm
... stand firm. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: steko Phonetic Spelling:
(stay'-ko) Short Definition: I stand fast, persevere Definition: I stand fast, stand ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4739.htm - 6k

1961. epimeno -- to stay on
... Word Origin from epi and meno Definition to stay on NASB Word Usage continue (4),
continued (1), persevere (1), persisted (1), remain (4), stay (2), stayed (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1961.htm - 8k

4342. proskartereo -- to attend constantly
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proskartereo Phonetic Spelling: (pros-kar-ter-eh'-
o) Short Definition: I persist Definition: I persist, persevere in, continue ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4342.htm - 8k

5278. hupomeno -- to stay behind, to await, endure
... o) Short Definition: I remain behind, endure Definition: (a) I remain behind, (b)
I stand my ground, show endurance, (c) I endure, bear up against, persevere. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5278.htm - 8k

2594. kartereo -- to be steadfast
... to be steadfast. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kartereo Phonetic Spelling:
(kar-ter-eh'-o) Short Definition: I persevere, endure Definition: I persevere ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2594.htm - 6k

3887. parameno -- to remain beside or near
... Transliteration: parameno Phonetic Spelling: (par-am-en'-o) Short Definition: I
remain by, abide with Definition: I remain by, abide with; met: I persevere in. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3887.htm - 7k

4357. prosmeno -- to wait longer
... From pros and meno; to stay further, ie Remain in a place, with a person; figuratively,
to adhere to, persevere in -- abide still, be with, cleave unto ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4357.htm - 7k

1300. diateleo -- to accomplish thoroughly, ie to persist
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diateleo Phonetic Spelling: (dee-at-el-eh'-
o) Short Definition: I continue Definition: I continue, persevere, finish. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1300.htm - 6k

8280. sarah -- to persist, exert oneself, persevere
... sarah. 8281 . to persist, exert oneself, persevere. Transliteration: sarah Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-raw') Short Definition: contended. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/8280.htm - 6k

That we must Press on and Persevere in Faith and virtue, and in ...
... 8. That we must press on and persevere in faith and virtue, and in completion of
heavenly and spiritual grace, that we may attain to the palm and the crown. ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/8 that we must press.htm

A Man who Does not Persevere Fails by his Own Fault.
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 46."A Man Who Does Not
Persevere Fails by His Own Fault. But it is said, "It is ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 46 a man who does.htm

Whosoever do not Persevere are not Distinguished from the Mass of ...
... A Treatise on rebuke and grace, Chapter 16."Whosoever Do Not Persevere are Not
Distinguished from the Mass of Perdition by Predestination. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 16 whosoever do not persevere.htm

Persevere in Hope and Patience.
... Chapter VIII."Persevere in hope and patience. Let us then continually
persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness ...
/.../chapter viii persevere in hope and.htm

Avoid the Docet??, and Persevere in Fasting and Prayer.
... Chapter VII."Avoid the Docet??, and persevere in fasting and prayer. "For
whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come ...
/.../chapter vii avoid the docetae and.htm

Whether a Man in Grace Needs the Help of Grace in Order to ...
... Article Ten Whether a Man in Grace needs the help of Grace in order to Persevere.
Whether a Man in Grace needs the help of Grace in order to Persevere ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article ten whether a man.htm

Whether Man Possessed of Grace Needs the Help of Grace in Order to ...
... TREATISE ON GRACE (QQ -114)OF THE NECESSITY OF GRACE (TEN ARTICLES) Whether man
possessed of grace needs the help of grace in order to persevere? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether man possessed of grace.htm

Who Teach: that God Does Indeed Provide the Believer with ...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Paragraph 2 Who teach: That God does indeed provide
the believer with sufficient powers to persevere? Who ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/paragraph 2 who teach that 4.htm

Why Does God Mingle those who Will Persevere with those who Will ...
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 19."Why Does God Mingle
Those Who Will Persevere with Those Who Will Not? Let ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 19 why does god mingle.htm

When Perseverance is Granted to a Person, He Cannot but Persevere.
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 9."When Perseverance is
Granted to a Person, He Cannot But Persevere. Now, moreover ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 9 when perseverance is granted.htm

Persevere (3 Occurrences)
...Persevere (3 Occurrences). Philippians 3:16 But whatever be the point that we have
already reached, let us persevere in the same course. (WEY). ...
/p/persevere.htm - 7k

Perseverance (27 Occurrences)
... Once justified and regenerated, the believer can neither totally nor finally fall
away from grace, but will certainly persevere therein and attain everlasting ...
/p/perseverance.htm - 18k

Endure (90 Occurrences)
... 3:11 1 Peter 2:19); "to remain under" (Hebrews 10:32; Hebrews 12:2 James 1:12; James
5:11); "to be strong, firm" (Hebrews 11:27); "to persevere" beneath a ...
/e/endure.htm - 33k

Persist (10 Occurrences)
... fixed and unmoved; to continue steadfastly; especially, to continue fixed in a course
of conduct against opposing motives; to persevere; -- sometimes conveying ...
/p/persist.htm - 9k

Persevered (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Persevere. Multi-Version Concordance
Persevered (4 Occurrences). Luke 22:28 But ye are they ...
/p/persevered.htm - 7k

Continue (144 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To be steadfast or constant in any course; to persevere; to abide; to endure;
to persist; to keep up or maintain a particular condition, course, or ...
/c/continue.htm - 36k

Reached (152 Occurrences)
... me. (WEY). Philippians 3:16 But whatever be the point that we have already reached,
let us persevere in the same course. (WEY). Colossians ...
/r/reached.htm - 35k

Course (87 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV). Philippians 3:16 But whatever be the point that we have already reached,
let us persevere in the same course. (WEY). 2 Thessalonians ...
/c/course.htm - 38k

Point (106 Occurrences)
... you. (See NIV). Philippians 3:16 But whatever be the point that we have already
reached, let us persevere in the same course. (WEY). ...
/p/point.htm - 40k

Hearers (18 Occurrences)
... teaching. Persevere in these things; for by doing this you will make certain
your own salvation and that of your hearers. (WEY RSV NIV). ...
/h/hearers.htm - 11k

What does the Bible say about perseverance? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about giving up? | GotQuestions.org

Perseverance of the Saints - is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Persevere: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus