Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

hUPOMONE* - Part 3 - εχηγεομαι (Strong's #1834)
Patience, endurance, perseverance

Please note that all Biblical quotes, in this and all other lessons posted to Greek Thoughts, are from The Literal English Translation of the Bible produced by BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America.

As our title indicates, this is the third part in our study of the Greek noun ὑπομονὴ (Strong's #5281), which means "patience, endurance, perseverance." Its meaning expresses a remaining under or endurance in circumstances.

Last week, we studied the use of ὑπομονὴ in the believer's growth process (James 1:1-4) and saw through James' presentation that the testing of a believer's faith is working out or producing in him/her the ability to remain under (ὑπομονὴ) circumstances. From this we learned that James' command to believers is to let "remaining under" produce its complete work, in order that spiritual maturity— trust in the Lord through any circumstance of life, in any area of life - can develop.

This week our study is taken from Hebrews 12:1-2 where the same principle of remaining under circumstances is demonstrated as being necessary for the Christian growth process. The writer of Hebrews presents this application of ὑπομονὴ in the context of an athletic event.

The Coach's Corner

Hebrews 12:1-2

1)

For indeed therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, having laid aside every weight and the sin easily entrapping us, through endurance (ὑπομονὴ) we should run the race being set before us,

2)

while looking away unto Jesus the author and completer of the faith, Who over against the joy being set before Him, endured the cross, having despised the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.

Our focus today is the main clause found in these two verses, "…through endurance (ὑπομονὴ) we should run the race being set before us…" (We will consider the conditional clauses in a later study.) The main verb τρὲχω (Strong's #5143) is found in verse one and means "to run." (It is from this word that we get our English word "track.") Τρὲχω is presented in the present subjunctive form and so is translated "we should run." ̓Αγὼν (Strong's #73), the noun used in this clause, is translated "race" and is the source of our English word "agony." The phrase "being set before us" is in the attributive position in the Greek text and therefore is being used to describe the attributes or character of the race. The actual word for "being set before" is the present participial form of πρὸκειμαῖ(Strong's #4295), "to set or place before." Since use of the present participle expresses a continuous action of placing before, the writer of Hebrews is saying that this race is to be run "through endurance" — through remaining under (ὑπομονὴ).

We focus on this main clause for the purpose of understanding the two aspects of running the race which are shown here. The first aspect has to do with the kind of race we are to run—the race being set before us. As mentioned above, the phrase "being set before us" is a present participle describing the race as one that is continuously being set before us. The Greek text indicates that this is being set in front of us all the time, step by step. Here is the concept: The race is not set around a circular track; instead, it is a marathon with no measured distance. The course is being laid out before us step by step. We run the race as we are given direction, as we are shown what direction to take. It is much like driving a car through the fog, when the only visible thing is a short line painted on the roadway, pointing the way forward. That line is the only indicator of the roadway's direction. We pay close attention to that line, because we can not see any farther ahead. We do not know the direction of the road, and can only find it by following that short span of painted line. Of course, God knows every twist and turn of the road we are to take, of the race we are to run; but this scripture teaches that He does not show it to us in its entirety. Instead, He unveils it only step by step, wanting us to learn to trust Him even as we are unknowing of the overall direction of the race's course.

The second aspect shown here about the race involves our word of study, ὑπομονὴ. It describes the way the race should be run—through endurance (remaining under). This is a disciplinary term. To understand it, think about how an athlete prepares for a race. He/she remains under the disciplines required for running the race. The writer of Hebrews is presenting that running the race is through endurance, through the discipline of remaining under. It is not accomplished by running away from issues; it is not accomplished by running away from circumstances. Running the race is only accomplished by remaining under circumstances. Just like that athlete, we must remain under—whether we feel like it or not—and run.

The main clause in Hebrews 12:1-2 teaches that we should run through endurance (remaining under) the race that is constantly being set in front of us. In other words, as we are running the race, the Lord places in front of us the path we are to take. This is a continuous, long term process and for it, we need to remain under. Otherwise, if we are sprinting along, we might be fine for a short time; but a week from now we could find ourselves dehydrated with painful muscles calling out to the Lord, "How long is this going to last?" The Lord is making it clear to us through scripture that we are not engaged in a short-term endeavor, but rather in one requiring a long term trust and reliance on Him. And it is one, as we will see in future parts of this study that is agony to the flesh.

Next week we will continue our study of ὑπομονὴ from Hebrews 12:1-2.

*hUPOMONE is the English font spelling of the Greek word ὑπομονὴ.

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