The preachers quoted here describe perseverance as steadfastness under trial that does not live by feelings, a virtue stressed throughout the New Testament and strengthened by use. On perseverance as a doctrine, one stresses that it gives no comfort to the worldly or the hypocrite.
To persevere is to keep going to the end. The New Testament uses several words for it, including one that means to continue steadfastly, as in "watching thereunto with all perseverance" (Ephesians 6:18).1 Jesus said, "he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13).
It is commanded. "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). "Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9). Hebrews says, "we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end" (3:14), and Paul speaks of being presented holy "if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled" (Colossians 1:23).
It is also promised. "My sheep hear my voice ... and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:27-28). "He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). Believers are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (1 Peter 1:5). Jude praises "him that is able to keep you from falling" (Jude 24).
Scripture holds the command and the promise together. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13). God keeps his people by means of their continuing faith, and the warnings against falling away (Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-29) are among the means he uses.
Whether a true believer can finally fall away is a historic point of difference. The Westminster Confession teaches that those whom God has effectually called "can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace", though they may fall into serious sin for a time.2 Arminian and Wesleyan teachers hold that a believer may make shipwreck of faith. Both sides insist that no one who is living in unrepented sin has any right to comfort himself with the doctrine.
The examples Scripture sets before believers are of those who finished. Paul could write at the end, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). Above all there is Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2).
- Strong's Greek 4343, proskartérēsis: "persistancy".
- Anonymous, Westminster Confession of Faith, "CHAPTER XVII: Of The Perseverance of the Saints — CHAPTER XVIII: Of...".
In their own words
Each line below is quoted exactly from a sermon on this site. Follow the link to hear or read it where it was said.
Endurance is victorious steadfastness under trial.
William MacDonald
in Endurance
Listen at 2:50
Perseverance is a great virtue that is emphasised throughout the New Testament.
Zac Poonen
in The Importance of Perseverance
Read in context
Perseverance is linked with this thing of learning, not to live by feelings.
George Verwer
in Perseverance
Listen at 26:52
Perseverance is a spiritual muscle that you will thank God for.
Shane Idleman
in Building Faith: Don't Ring the Bell Part 1
Listen at 1:40
Perseverance is a doctrine with which the ungodly and worldly have nothing to do.
J.C. Ryle
in Never Perish
Read in context
Where they differ
The perseverance of the saints has long been a point of difference between Calvinist and Arminian teachers, as one Methodist writer notes.
The perseverance of the saints is one of the articles by which the creed of the followers of Calvin is distinguished from that of the followers of Arminius.
Randolph S. Foster
in Objections to Calvinism - 6. Perseverance
Read in context
What Scripture says
- Matthew 24:13 he that endures to the end shall be saved
- Philippians 1:6 he who began a good work in you will perform it
- John 10:27-28 they shall never perish
- Galatians 6:9 let us not be weary in well doing
- Hebrews 12:1-2 run with patience the race that is set before us
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