Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:The term "persists" refers to the act of continuing steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, or course of action, especially in spite of opposition or difficulty. In a biblical context, persistence is often associated with faith, prayer, and righteous living. It is the quality of remaining steadfast in one's beliefs and actions, even when faced with challenges or adversity.
Biblical Examples and Teachings:1.
Persistence in Prayer: The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of persistence in prayer. Jesus Himself taught about the necessity of persistent prayer in the Parable of the Persistent Widow. In
Luke 18:1-8 , Jesus tells the account of a widow who continually approaches an unjust judge, seeking justice. Despite his initial reluctance, the judge eventually grants her request due to her persistence. Jesus uses this parable to illustrate that if an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will God, who is just and loving, respond to the persistent prayers of His people.
2.
Persistence in Faith: The Apostle Paul often encouraged believers to persist in their faith. In
1 Corinthians 15:58 , Paul writes, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Here, persistence is linked to being steadfast and immovable, suggesting that believers should remain firm in their faith and continue in their service to God, assured that their efforts are meaningful and will be rewarded.
3.
Persistence in Righteous Living: The Bible also calls for persistence in living a righteous life.
Galatians 6:9 states, "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 promise that perseverance will eventually lead to a fruitful outcome. The call to persist in righteousness is a reminder that the Christian life is a journey that requires endurance and commitment.
4.
Examples of Persistent Individuals: Several biblical figures exemplify persistence. Job is a notable example; despite immense suffering and loss, he persisted in his faith and integrity.
Job 2:3 highlights God's acknowledgment of Job's persistence: "Have you considered My servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause."
Another example is the Apostle Paul, who persisted in his mission to spread the Gospel despite facing numerous hardships, including imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks. In
2 Timothy 4:7 , Paul reflects on his life, saying, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." His life serves as a testament to the power of persistence in fulfilling God's calling.
Theological Implications:Persistence is a virtue that reflects the character of God, who is described as faithful and unchanging. Believers are called to emulate this divine attribute by remaining steadfast in their commitments to God and His commandments. Persistence is not merely about human effort but is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who strengthens believers to endure and overcome challenges. Through persistence, Christians demonstrate their trust in God's promises and their dedication to His purposes.
Strong's Hebrew
8304. Serayah -- "Yahpersists," the name of a number of Isr.... Serayah or Serayahu. 8305 . "Yah
persists," the name of a number of Isr.
... Word Origin
from sarah and Yah Definition "Yah
persists," the name of a number of Isr.
...5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand
... 1), gives stability (1), halt (1), halted (1), hung (6), join (1), last (1), living
(1), make a stand (1), oppose (1), opposed (2),persists (1), place (1...
Library
Commandment Fourth. On Putting One's Wife Away for Adultery.
... But if the husband know that his wife has gone astray, and if the woman does not
repent, butpersists in her fornication, and yet the husband continues to live...
The Glory-Coloured Thread.
... And with rarest boldness and courage Hepersists in His wooing in spite of
the terrific intensifying opposition. The gentle softening...
"Inasmuch. "
... It was written, I judge, in a personal sense; but it came to me at once with a wider
meaning; and itpersists in so coming at every reading of it....
Whether Grace is a Quality of the Soul
... quality. 3. Again, no qualitypersists after it ceases to be in its subject.
But gracepersists, since it is not corrupted. If grace...
The Two Kingdoms.
... Book V. Chapter IX."The Two Kingdoms. "For he whopersists in evil, and is the servant
of evil, cannot be made a portion of good so long as hepersists in...
First Tractate.
... The elements of this sphere change; the living beings of earth pass away; only the
Ideal-form [the species]persists: possibly a similar process obtains in the...
The Canons of the Holy and Altogether August Apostles.
... a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, put away his wife under pretence of religion; but
if he put her away, let him be excommunicated; and if hepersists, let him be...
Misused Respite
... For more than seventy times seven Hepersists in forgiving the rebellious child
who sins against Him, and for more than seventy times seven the childpersists...
Prefatory Note.
... He must warn the openly wicked man that if hepersists in his evil courses, the
just judgments of God will inevitably overtake him; he must unmask the hypocrite...
Womanhood Self-Evident, and not to be Concealed by Just Leaving...
... Set before yourself each (of these two); one prematurely [315] compressed in woman's
garb, and one who, though advanced in maturity,persists in virginity with...
Thesaurus
Persists (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Persists (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 25:8 Then
the elders of his city shall call him, and speak to him: and
...Persistently (16 Occurrences)
Nain (1 Occurrence)
... The namepersists to this day, and in the form of Nein clings to a small village
on the northwestern slope of Jebel ed-Duchy ("Hill of Moreh"), the mountain...
Redeemer (42 Occurrences)
... This general idea, of course,persists throughout the revelation and enters largely
into our thinking of today, but the growing moral discernment of the...
Dok
... above Jericho. The namepersists in Ain Duk with its copious springs of
excellent water about 4 miles Northwest of Jericho. Some...
Barrel (3 Occurrences)
... Standard Revised Version) used in the East for carrying water from the spring or
well, and for storing grain, etc., according to a custom that stillpersists....
Redemption (46 Occurrences)
... This general idea, of course,persists throughout the revelation and enters largely
into our thinking of today, but the growing moral discernment of the...
Immortal (3 Occurrences)
... remains. What more natural than to suppose that itpersists in some other
state apart from the body? (Compare Max Muller, Anthrop....
Shame (412 Occurrences)
... While the sense of shamepersists, or, in other words, while the moral constitution
of man's nature remains as it is, there will never be wanting an avenger of...
Gold (429 Occurrences)
... it from other weaker nations. The tradition that Northwestern Arabia is rich
in gold stillpersists. Every year Moslem pilgrims, returning...
Resources
What is the meaning of importunity? | GotQuestions.orgIs there such a thing as the evil eye? | GotQuestions.orgIs the Bible a fairy tale? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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