He remained steadfast under very difficult situations. While the prophets were examples of patience ( makrothymia, 5:10, a term meaning "longsuffering" or "forbearance" ), Job's experience mirrored perseverance. James appeals to Job as an example of those who had persevered. Yet they had persevered in faith ( 3:7 ) and would be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which they suffered ( 2 Thess 1:5 ). Paul was concerned that the tempter might have tempted them ( 3:5 ). They had suffered from their own countrymen ( 1 Thess 2:14 ) they had undergone trials ( 3:3 ). Paul's converts in Thessalonica had endured persecutions and trials, their lives marked by perseverance and faith. As apostle, in both the synagogues and to Gentile audiences, he persisted, God working through him signs, wonders, and miracles. The word of the Lord to the newly converted Paul through Ananias was, "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name" ( Acts 9:16 ). Paul's life consisted of many sufferings and hardships (see 2 Cor 11:23-33 ), circumstances associated with his ministry as an apostle. They refer to perseverance on the part of Paul ( 2 Cor 12:12 ), his converts ( 2 Thess 1:4 ), Job ( James 5:11 ), Moses ( Heb 11:27 ), and the believers in Ephesus and Thyatira ( Revelation 2:2-3 Revelation 2:19 ). The indicative or descriptive texts occur in the letters of Paul and James, in Hebrews, and in the Apocalypse. Such understanding accords well with the frequent New Testament references to Christ as the example for his followers ( 1 Peter 2:21 1 John 2:6 ). Many scholars regard the genitive case here as subjective, denoting Christ as the model of perseverance for believers. The only exception to this general pattern is one text in which Paul makes reference to "Christ's perseverance" ( 2 Thess 3:5 ). There are two main strands of teaching about perseverance in the New Testament: (1) the indicative or doctrinal-type statements, which basically describe the nature and the presence of this virtue in the lives of believers and (2) the imperative or hortatory statements, stressing the need for or the results of perseverance. Such a stance Paul boasting of the believers because of their steadfastness stands in contrast to the ethics of the Greek world, which regarded this as demeaning behavior. Some texts emphasize perseverance in good works ( 2 Cor 12:12 ) others, more passive, show perseverance under suffering ( 2 Thess 1:4 ). Faith and hope are emphasized, and there is little of the Old Testament sense of "waiting for" or "expecting." One needs to persevere to attain personally to the ultimate salvation of God. In the New Testament, the main sense of hypomone is perseverance or endurance. Such behavior was done "for the sake of God" (16:19). 17-18) Isaac, Noah, and the prophets stood fast (4 Macc 13:12 15:31 16:21) the mother and her seven sons withstood the cruelty of the tyrant (16:1 17:7) and conquered him (1:11). Abraham persevered in ten temptations (Jub. Passing into Judaism, hypomone appears as an inward work, of great profit to the righteous in Hebrew life. It is closely linked with the idea of hope ( Psalm 5:11 7:1 15:1 16:7 ). In the Septuagint the word refers to either confidence in or tense expectation of ("waiting on") the power or the faithfulness of God, who delivers his people ( Psalm 37:9 Isa 51:5 Micah 7:7 Zeph 3:8 ). In hypomone there is the idea of energetic resistance, steadfastness under pressure, and endurance in the face of trials. The root of hypomone, the verb meno, is often used of God's permanence in contrast to the mutability of human beings and the world. The noun always translates the Greek word hypomone the verbs translate several Greek verbs ( hypomeno, epimeno, and kartereo ). Verbal forms appear a total of eight times. In the NIV the term "perseverance" occurs thirteen times, all in the New Testament.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |