Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "uphold" in the biblical context generally refers to the act of sustaining, supporting, or maintaining. It conveys the idea of providing strength, stability, and assurance, often in a spiritual or moral sense. In the Scriptures, God is frequently depicted as the one who upholds His people, offering them guidance, protection, and strength in times of need.
Biblical References:1.
Divine Support and Sustenance: The concept of God upholding His creation and His people is a recurring theme in the Bible. In
Isaiah 41:10, God reassures His people with the words, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This verse highlights God's promise to provide unwavering support and strength to those who trust in Him.
2.
Moral and Spiritual Stability: The psalmist often speaks of God's upholding power in terms of moral and spiritual stability.
Psalm 37:17 states, "For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous." Here, the contrast is drawn between the fate of the wicked and the security of the righteous, who are sustained by God's power.
3.
Protection and Deliverance: In
Psalm 145:14, the psalmist declares, "The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." This verse emphasizes God's role as a protector and deliverer, offering hope and restoration to those who are struggling or oppressed.
4.
Faithfulness and Justice: God's upholding is also associated with His faithfulness and justice. In
Psalm 146:9, it is written, "The LORD watches over the foreigner; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates." This passage underscores God's commitment to justice and His care for the vulnerable, ensuring that they are upheld in His righteousness.
5.
Christ as the Upholder: In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is seen as the ultimate upholder of all things.
Hebrews 1:3 describes Him as "the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." This verse affirms Christ's divine authority and His sustaining power over the universe.
Theological Implications:The concept of God as the one who upholds His people is central to understanding His nature as a loving and faithful deity. It reflects His omnipotence, omnipresence, and omnibenevolence. Believers are encouraged to rely on God's sustaining power, trusting that He will provide the necessary strength and support in all circumstances. This assurance of divine upholding fosters a sense of peace and confidence, enabling Christians to face life's challenges with faith and resilience.
Practical Application:In practical terms, the biblical teaching on upholding encourages believers to seek God's strength in prayer and to depend on His promises. It also calls Christians to emulate God's upholding nature by supporting and encouraging one another within the community of faith. By doing so, they reflect God's love and care to the world around them, becoming instruments of His sustaining grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To hold up; to lift on high; to elevate.
2. (v. t.) To keep erect; to support; to sustain; to keep from falling; to maintain.
3. (v. t.) To aid by approval or encouragement; to countenance; as, to uphold a person in wrongdoing.
Greek
1991. episterizo -- to make stronger... make stronger. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: episterizo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-stay-rid'-zo) Short Definition: I prop up,
uphold, confirm Definition
...447. aniemi -- to send up, produce, send back
... 447 (from 303 , "up" and 2447 , "send") -- properly, so as to loosen; ("sink");
fail touphold; to desert (abandon), especially what has already been trusted...
Strong's Hebrew
8551. tamak -- to grasp, support, attain... to grasp, support, attain. Transliteration: tamak Phonetic Spelling: (taw-mak')
Short Definition:
uphold.
... take,
uphold up, maintain, retain, stay up.
...5564. samak -- to lean, lay, rest, support
... 17), lean (1), leans (3), relied (1), rested (1), steadfast (1), support (1), sustain
(3), sustained (2), sustainer (1), sustains (3), upheld (4),uphold (1)....
6965. qum -- to arise, stand up, stand
... surely stand (1), take his stand (1), taken (1). abide, make surely, be
uphold,. A primitive root; to rise (in various applications...
5582. saad -- to support, sustain, stay
... root Definition to support, sustain, stay NASB Word Usage hold (1), refresh (2),
support (1), sustain (3), sustains (1),uphold (2), upholds (2)....
Library
As Celsus Supposes that weUphold the Doctrine of the Resurrection...
... Chapter XXXIII. As Celsus supposes that weuphold the doctrine of the
resurrection in order that we? As Celsus supposes that we...
November 7. "I Will Strengthen Thee; Yea, I Will Help Thee; Yea, I...
... NOVEMBER 7. "I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will
uphold thee" (Isa. xli. 10). "I will strengthen thee; yea...
What Advantage is it to us to Know that God Has Created, and by...
... Lord's Day 10 Question 28 What advantage is it to us to know that God has
created, and by his providence does stilluphold all things?...
Demetrius of the Lesser Leptis Said: "WeUphold one Baptism...
... Book VI. Chapter 43. " 83. Demetrius of the Lesser Leptis said: "We
uphold one baptism? "83. Demetrius of the Lesser Leptis...
Peace on Earth through Righteousness
... So has it been since Cain killed Abel, since Christ was crucified on Calvary, and
so it is to-day wherever menuphold the false doctrine that "might makes right...
Psalm 119:12. Twelfth Part. Breathing after Comfort and...
... Ver.39 116. 1 Forbid, forbid the sharp reproach Which I so justly fear;Uphold
my life,uphold my hopes, Nor let my shame appear. Ver.122 135....
Council Held at Sardica.
... atrocities against the servants of God who keep the true faith; they introduce false
doctrines themselves, and persecute those whouphold orthodox principles....
Once More, that I Might Close up this Point with an Infinite...
... more esteemed: because every moment's preservation is another obligation: even so
in the continual series of thoughts whereby we continue touphold the frame...
Marcus of Mactaris Said: "It is not to be Wondered at if Heretics....
... For when Marcus said, "It is marvellous that some of us, traitors to the truth,
uphold heretics and oppose Christians," it seemed natural that he should add...
Hortensianus of Lares Said: "How Many Baptisms There Are...
... are? "53. Hortensianus of Lares [1691] said: "How many baptisms there
are, let those whouphold or favor heretics determine. We...
Thesaurus
Uphold (30 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To aid by approval or encouragement; to countenance; as, to
uphold a person
in wrongdoing. Multi-Version Concordance
Uphold (30 Occurrences).
...Upheld (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (v.) imp. & pp ofUphold. Multi-Version Concordance
Upheld (15 Occurrences). Luke 7:29 And all the people...
Carry (246 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To bear oruphold successfully through conflict, as a leader or principle;
hence, to succeed in, as in a contest; to bring to a successful issue; to win...
Sustain (28 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To keep from falling; to bear; touphold; to support; as, a foundation sustains
the superstructure; a beast sustains a load; a rope sustains a weight....
Maintain (50 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain;
touphold; to keep up; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain...
Support (135 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To bear by being under; to keep from falling; touphold; to sustain, in
a literal or physical sense; to prop up; to bear the weight of; as, a pillar...
Integrity (46 Occurrences)
... Yes, return again. My cause is righteous. (See NIV). Job 8:20 "Behold, God will
not cast away a blameless man, neither will heuphold the evildoers. (See NAS)....
Strengthen (105 Occurrences)
... Job 8:20 "Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will heuphold
the evildoers.... Yes, I willuphold you with the right hand of my righteousness....
Victorious (17 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God;
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I willuphold thee with...
Upholds (12 Occurrences)
... natural branches. Or if you are so glorying, do not forget that it is not you
whouphold the root: the root upholds you. (WEY). Hebrews...
Resources
What is a Brahman? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about children's rights? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about traditionalism? | GotQuestions.orgUphold: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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