Perseverance

Biblical Texts

Perseverance is a term used especially often in the New Testament epistles. Representative passages include the following:

• James 1:3-4: "The trying of your faith worketh patience," and when patience has "her perfect work," the believer will be "wanting nothing." James 5:11 cites "the patience of Job," presenting Job as a model of endurance.
• Romans 5:3-4: "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope" (here "experience" denotes proven character, having been refined and tested).
• Hebrews 10:36; 12:1: The Christian life is compared to a race, and believers are urged to run it to the end with patience.
• Revelation 2:2-3; 14:12: The churches under persecution and "the patience of the saints" are commended.
• Luke 8:15: In the parable of the sower, the good ground represents those who keep the word and "bring forth fruit with patience."

Original Language and Background

The principal Greek word rendered "perseverance" or "patience" in the New Testament is hypomonē. Derived from the idea of "remaining under," it denotes an active endurance that does not flee from suffering but holds firm beneath it. Distinct from it is makrothymia, translated "longsuffering," which chiefly refers to a forbearance toward others that is not easily provoked to anger. The Korean New Revised Version renders one of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 with the term for "long-suffering" (KJV: "longsuffering").

The Old Testament more often speaks of "waiting" on the LORD than of perseverance as such (Psalm 27:14; Psalm 37:7). It also describes God as one who is slow to anger (Exodus 34:6; KJV: "longsuffering"), and the Septuagint translates this expression with a word from the makrothymia family.

Meaning in Scripture as a Whole

In Scripture, perseverance has two aspects: the character of God and the response of the believer. God patiently bears with sinners and waits for them to repent (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9), while believers endure trials, trusting in God's promises. The New Testament often links perseverance with faith and hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3), presenting it as an attitude of faith that looks toward the eschatological consummation.

Interpretation and Debate

Matthew 24:13, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved," is frequently cited in discussions of the relationship between salvation and perseverance. In keeping with the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, the Reformed tradition, including Presbyterians who follow Calvinism, regards the perseverance of true believers as the fruit of grace by which God holds them fast to the end. Methodists, Holiness churches, and others who follow Arminianism and Wesleyan theology emphasize perseverance as the believer's responsibility in responding to grace, and they also read such passages as warnings of the possibility of falling away from the faith.

It is also commonly held that biblical perseverance is to be distinguished from resignation or passive acceptance. Sayings such as "Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet" are often quoted in churches, but they are not found in Scripture.

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church, perseverance is a frequent theme in sermons on suffering and trials, with James 1 and Romans 5 cited especially often. When the nine fruit of the Spirit are taught, "long-suffering" is often explained together with perseverance.