We continue our study of the qualities Peter urges us to add to our faith, progressing through the list found in 2 Peter 1:5–7.
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."
In this progressive pattern of growth — moving from faith to virtue, then adding knowledge, and following that with self-control — we now arrive at the need for perseverance.
The Greek word translated here as perseverance (or patience in some translations) is hupomone. As you might imagine, it is defined as endurance and patience. It is derived from the Greek word hupomeno, which is most often translated as endure or to wait patiently.
Rejoicing in Endurance
The New Testament writers frequently call upon believers to endure. For the first-century church, this was not theoretical advice but a desperate need. Peter himself reminds his readers in 1 Peter 4:12–16 not to be surprised by suffering:
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter."
Theirs was a time of real adversity — facing persecution from Jewish and Roman authorities, ostracism that impacted their livelihoods, and the loss of family and friendships over their faith. While our specific trials may differ, the call to stand firm remains.
James reinforces this need, instructing us to find joy in the midst of trials because they test our faith and produce this very quality of patience or endurance: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2–4).
How we face challenges — whether they are minor frustrations or significant suffering — is a measure of our faith and character.
Looking to the Witnesses
We are not the first to run this race. The author of Hebrews urges us to look to those who have gone before:
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1–2)
The cloud of witnesses includes the faithful men and women of the Old Testament described in Hebrews 11. They lived by faith and waited patiently for God's promise. And though they did not receive the full promise in their lifetimes, they provide a powerful pattern of perseverance for us. Jesus Himself is the ultimate example — He endured the cross for the joy set before Him.
Even as we wait for our heavenly home, we are called to patience. James instructs, "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand" (James 5:7–8).
Patience in Fellowship
Perseverance is not just directed toward God and our external trials; it is also a quality necessary in our relationships with one another.
Having added knowledge to our virtue and self-control to our knowledge, perseverance becomes the loving way we interact within the church. It takes patience to bear with others as they grow in their faith.
- We must be patient with those who are a few steps behind in spiritual knowledge.
- We must recognize that it may take months or years for a fellow Christian to reach a maturity level we have attained, or vice versa.
Paul emphasizes this patience (or longsuffering) as a characteristic of a worthy walk:
"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1–3)
This patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) that we manifest as we strive to become more Christ-like.
Perseverance is the steadfastness that anchors our walk. It is the endurance to wait on God's timing and the patience to care for our brethren as we all move toward Christ-likeness.
We are in the middle of our journey through this pattern of growth: Faith, Virtue (Moral excellence), Knowledge (Of God's will and understanding), Self-Control (Using liberty for the benefit of others), Perseverance (Waiting on God, patient with one another) — in upcoming articles, we will discuss Godliness, Brotherly Love, and Love.
Now I ask for a little perseverance while we finish this series.
Let us continue to build together.