There are many Scriptures in the NC Writings that speak of endurance just using the one word
sometimes translated as "endurance". This "
sometimes" is part of the problem when it comes to grasping how much endurance is discussed.
To begin, I'd point out that "abiding" as is commanded by our Lord for example in John15:4 is the word "
menō" which means to remain, stay, persist, last (i.e. lasting), continue.
Then, "endure" is the word "hupo
menō" which is the same word "menō" combined with a preposition ("hupo"). In Greek when a preposition is prefixed to a word, it typically intensifies the meaning of the word in some way. So, to remain becomes to endure. Lexically (BDAG Lexicon) hupomenō means
:
1. to stay in a place beyond an expected point of time, remain/stay (behind), while others go away
2. to maintain a belief or course of action in the face of opposition, stand one’s ground, hold out, endure (Il. et al.; remain instead of fleeing:
3. to wait for with persistence, wait for τινὰ someone
So, we can see the similarities and overlap with "menō" but we can see a nuanced difference, mainly in dealing with the factor of opposition.
With this in mind, look again at NKJ Matthew 10:22 "And
you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But
he who endures to the end will be saved.
Granted, as I've agreed before, there is context to this. But my other statement was that after studying endurance, I came back here and reasoned that our Lord and Savior was very likely laying down a principle that endurance was necessary for salvation.
This is the first occurrence of endurance (hupomenō in verbal form - actually a substantival participle here) in the NC Text and it's clearly related to salvation setting aside for the moment the context of "salvation".
Here's the last time hupomenō (in noun form - hupomonē) is used in the NC Text (I'm going to have to change the translation to maintain consistency): NKJ Revelation 14:12 Here is the
patience endurance of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
- The saints are God's Holy Ones and they are described or defined as those who keep/guard God's commandments and/namely the Faith [of] Jesus Christ.
- There are some things to discuss here re: "and/namely" and [of] which I'll leave out for now so we can remain on point.
- Look before and after Rev14:12 in context and we see in Rev14:11 those who take the mark and "bow in obeisance" (translated "worship") to the beast vs. Rev14:12 God's Holy Ones who keep/guard God's commandments / the Faith [of] Jesus Christ
- The endurance of God's Holy Ones in context is their keeping/guarding... Rev14:12 and combined with Rev14:13 and on through the end of the chapter, their dying "in [the] Lord from now on". So they keep/guard God's commandments / the Faith [of] Jesus Christ even unto death.
- Our NC Text speaks of the endurance of Jesus Christ. Consider how we are commanded to endure unto death as He did.
Some observations so far:
- Please note the consistency between Matt10:22 and Rev14:12 - endure to the end and be saved.
- Please note the consistency with the Lexical definition of hupomenō re: enduring in the face of opposition.
- Please note the phrase "in [the] Lord in Rev14:13 and know it is what Jesus commands in John15:4 "abide/menō in Me" - so we're seeing both the "menō" and "hupomenō" concepts here in Rev14:12-13. And thus, we're seeing the relationship of how these 2 words are used.
- Please note how I've translated "worship" in Rev14:11. The word is "proskuneō" and it means to "bow in obeisance". It's a word that speaks of reverent submission. It's the same word Jesus used 8x in 4 verses in John4:21-24 which is extreme emphasis as He's explaining who God is looking for - men who will bow in obeisance to Him in Spirit and Truth (vs. in Rev14:11 bowing in obeisance to the beast). So, we're seeing endurance in reverent submission to God.
So, I ask myself re: the necessity of endurance:
- Does God ever make allowance for men who will break allegiance to Him and bow to His enemy(ies)?
- Did He allow this without penalty in the Garden or did He issue a horrendous judgment for it?
This is not a doctrine that comes from looking at just a few verses. The noun form (hupomonē) is used 32x in the NC Text. The verbal forms are used another 17x.
Paul commanded the pursuit of endurance here (and elsewhere): NET 1 Timothy 6:11 But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead
pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love,
endurance, and gentleness.
If the endurance of God's Holy Ones is to keep God's commandments / the Faith [of] Jesus Christ and not bow to God's enemies even unto death as may be required of them, then what is it for a Christian to not pursue endurance as God / the Faith [of] Jesus Christ commands of the Christian?
Please try to zero out the teaching of various traditions and just consider the Text. We can always revert back to the tradition(s) if that's where we find comfort. I for one find comfort and rest only in Christ in His Word of Truth. Whenever I had checks in my spirit that I was being taught something inaccurate, I sooner or later moved on. To each his own...
