What Is It?
What is perseverance? For a Christian, it means being steadfast in the beliefs and practices taught in the Bible despite trials or persecution. God requires believers to staunchly uphold and actively practice His teachings until their death, after which they will be rewarded with a crown of eternal life (Revelation 2:10, 12:11).
Encouragement to
Remain Steadfast
Romans 15:5, WEB
Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus . . .
Hebrews 12:1, NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Galatians 6:9, NLT
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Colossians 4:2, DARBY
Persevere in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving;
Colossians 1:9 - 11, WEB
For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;
Psalm 29:11, TEV
The Lord gives strength to his people and blesses them with peace.
1Timothy 4:16, NET
Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
James 1:25, ESV
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Romans 8:24 - 25, GW
If we hope for something we already see, it's not really hope. Who hopes for what can be seen? But if we hope for what we don't see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
2Peter 3:13 - 14, HBFV
But according to His promise, we look forward to a new heaven and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
For this reason, beloved, since you are anticipating these things, be diligent, so that you may be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless . . .
2Thessalonians 2:15 - 17, HCSB
Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, either by our message or by our letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.
Ephesians 3:14 - 19, ESV
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being . . .
A Necessary Character Trait
Romans 5:3 - 5, WEB
Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: and hope doesn’t disappoint us . . .
2Peter 1:5 - 6, NET
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness . . .
James 1:2 - 4, ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1Timothy 6:11, WEB
But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
Revelation 14:12, WEB
Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Colossians 3:12 - 13, WEB
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other . . .
Ephesians 6:18, HCSB
Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
Faithful to the End
Hebrews 3:14, HBFV
For we are companions of Christ, if we truly hold the confidence that we had at the beginning steadfast until the end.
Revelation 2:10, NKJV
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer . . . Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:26, NLT
To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, to them I will give authority over all the nations.
Mark 8:34 - 35, HCSB
If anyone wants to be My [Jesus'] follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it.
2Timothy 4:7 - 8, HBFV
I [Apostle Paul] have fought a good fight; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith. From this time forward, a crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me in that day - and not to me only, but also to all who love His appearing.
God Will Remember
1Corinthians 15:58, HBFV
So then, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Hebrews 6:10 - 12, NET
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints.
But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.
God Will Reward
Romans 2:6, NET
He will reward each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality . . .
Matthew 24:45 - 47, HBFV
Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his Lord has set over his household, to give them food in due season?
Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he comes shall find so doing. Truly I say to you, he will set him over all his property.
1Peter 1:7, HBFV
In order that the proving of your faith, which is much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is being tested by fire, may be found unto praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Lack of Perseverance
Mark 4:16 - 19, HBFV
And the ones which were in like manner sown upon the rocky places, these are the ones who when they hear the Word [the gospel], immediately receive it with joy;
But because they have no root in themselves, they do not endure; when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, they are quickly offended.
And those which were sown among the thorns, these are the ones who hear the Word, but the cares of this life, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things that come into their lives choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Hebrews 4:1, HBFV
Therefore, we should fear, lest perhaps, a promise being open to enter into His rest, any of you might seem to come short.
2Peter 3:17 - 18, HBFV
Therefore, beloved, since you know this in advance, be on guard against such practices, lest you be led astray with the error of the lawless ones, and you fall from your own steadfastness . . .
Hebrews 3:12, NKJV
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
Hebrews 2:2 - 3, DRV
For if the word, spoken by angels, became steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward: How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?