Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "upholds" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's sustaining power and His active involvement in the creation and maintenance of the universe. This term is often associated with God's providence, strength, and faithfulness, as He supports and maintains all things according to His divine will.
Divine Sustenance and CreationThe Bible frequently emphasizes that God is the ultimate sustainer of all creation. In
Hebrews 1:3 , it is stated, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." This passage highlights the role of Jesus Christ in sustaining the universe, affirming His divine authority and power. The act of upholding is not passive but involves the continuous exertion of divine power to maintain the order and existence of all things.
God's Faithfulness and SupportThe theme of God upholding His people is prevalent throughout Scripture, reflecting His unwavering faithfulness and support. In
Psalm 37:17 , it is written, "For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous." This verse contrasts the fate of the wicked with the security of the righteous, underscoring God's commitment to sustaining those who follow Him. Similarly,
Psalm 145:14 declares, "The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down," illustrating God's compassion and readiness to support those in need.
Moral and Spiritual SupportBeyond physical sustenance, the Bible also speaks of God upholding His people in moral and spiritual dimensions. In
Isaiah 41:10 , God reassures His people, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This promise of divine support is a source of comfort and strength, encouraging believers to trust in God's righteous power to sustain them through trials and challenges.
Human Responsibility and Divine SupportWhile God upholds His creation and people, there is also an element of human responsibility in maintaining a relationship with Him. Believers are called to rely on God's strength and guidance, as seen in
Proverbs 3:5-6 : "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sustaining power while actively seeking His wisdom and direction.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of "upholds" encompasses God's active role in sustaining the universe, His faithfulness in supporting the righteous, and His moral and spiritual guidance for believers. Through His powerful word and righteous right hand, God ensures the stability and continuity of His creation, offering believers assurance and strength in their walk of faith.
Greek
5342. phero -- to bear, carry, bring forth... 1), driven (2), endured (1), leads (1), made (3), moved (1), press (1), produce
(2), produced (1), reach (2), rushing (1), take (1), took (1),
upholds (1).
...951. bebaiosis -- confirmation
... ratification, establishment. Cognate: 951 -- properly, whatupholds (sustains),
ie is "for " (validated as guaranteed). See 949 (). Word...
Strong's Hebrew
2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen... 1), take hold (7), taken (2), taken hold (1), takes (1), takes hold (2), tie your
securely (1), took (2), took courage (2), took hold (5),
upholds (1), urged
...8551. tamak -- to grasp, support, attain
... held (1), held fast (1), hold (1), hold her fast (1), hold fast (1), holds (2),
obtain (1), support (2), supported (1), take hold (2), uphold (3),upholds (1)....
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
In How Many Ways "Throughwhom" is Used; and in what Sense "With...
... He shepherds; He enlightens; He nourishes; He heals; He guides; He raises up; He
calls into being things that were not; Heupholds what has been created....
Sermon for Palm Sunday
... But Godupholds her with His uncreated power, and keeps the soul still
herself. The soul has dared to become naught; and yet she...
The Revelation in a Son.
... He is the effulgence of God's glory, the very image of His substance; Heupholds
all things by the word of His power; and, having made purification of sins, He...
The Inwardness of Prayer
... We are integrated into the divine consciousness, and into the dual soliloquy of
Father and Son, which is the divine give and take thatupholds the world....
A Knowledge of God
... He whoupholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the same time cares
for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without...
On Grace.
... the fire be withdrawn, so, as S. Austin says, "All creatures that are made of naught,
so are they worth naught in a little time, unless GODupholds them with...
Appendix I (To 2 of Part I, Pp. 59 F. )
... The Prologues accordingly reject as false the Christianity thatupholds
the Old Testament, and call the great Church a Jewish sect....
Add to This, and Here is Cause to Cry Out More Piteously...
... But if, in order that he may be able to find some disciple, heupholds that he teaches
a truth when he teaches that it is meet to lie, how will that lie be of...
The Pre-Eminence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
... He has the pre-eminence in sustaining His creation. All things consist by Him.
Heupholds all things by the Word of His power (Heb. i:3)....
The Exalted One.
... Our Lord is the Creator Himself, the express image of the person of God, the one
whoupholds all things. What it all means! What a Lord we have!...
Thesaurus
Upholds (12 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Upholds (12 Occurrences).
... Or if you are so glorying, do
not forget that it is not you who uphold the root: the root
upholds you. (WEY).
...Upholstered (1 Occurrence)
Uphold (30 Occurrences)
... branches. Or if you are so glorying, do not forget that it is not you who
uphold the root: the rootupholds you. (WEY). Leviticus...
Upholding (1 Occurrence)
Upholder (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) An upholsterer. 4. (n.) One who, or that which,upholds; a supporter; a
defender; a sustainer. Multi-Version Concordance Upholder (1 Occurrence)....
Upside (7 Occurrences)
... Psalms 146:9 Yahweh preserves the foreigners. Heupholds the fatherless and widow,
but the way of the wicked he turns upside down. (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT)....
Universe (19 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Hebrews 1:3 He brightly reflects God's glory and is the exact representation
of His being, andupholds the universe by His all-powerful word....
Glorying (27 Occurrences)
... natural branches. Or if you are so glorying, do not forget that it is not
you who uphold the root: the rootupholds you. (WEY). Romans...
Ivvah (3 Occurrences)
... Hommel (Expository Times, April, 1898, 330)upholds the view that Hena and Ivvah,
or, as he prefers to read, Avvah, are not places at all, but the names of the...
Forget (77 Occurrences)
... natural branches. Or if you are so glorying, do not forget that it is not
you who uphold the root: the rootupholds you. (WEY). 2...
Resources
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