Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

hUPOMONE* - Part 11 - 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.

We are continuing our study of ὑπομονὴ (Strong's #5281) from 2 Peter 1:5-7. This noun means patience, endurance, perseverance. Its meaning contains the concept of remaining under or endurance in circumstances. In Part Three of this study, taken from Hebrews 12:1-3, we see the Christian life presented as a race which is to be run through endurance (our word of study). The use of the prepositional phrase "through endurance" gives the understanding that the Christian's race is a marathon, not a sprint. This week's study specifically focused in 2 Peter 1:5-6, will help us understand how endurance is developed in the growth process of a believer.

2 Peter 1:5-6

5)

But also on account of this very thing, after having brought in all diligence, completely supply in your faith the virtue, and in the virtue the knowledge,

Peter begins his description of growth by saying that the believer should let faith supply virtue (1:5). As established last week, faith here refers to the presence and activity of the divine nature of God in the heart of the believer. In the New Testament, virtue, ἀρετὴ (Strong's #703), means quality of character, moral excellence, or excellence of character. The Greek text makes it clear that Peter is talking about the excellence of God's character when he refers here to virtue (see last week's study for details). Therefore, he is teaching that the interaction of a believer's spirit with God's indwelling Spirit produces the excellence of God's character in the believer. Peter then writes that knowledge is supplied out of virtue. The Greek word translated "knowledge" is γνῶσις (Strong's #1108) and means the understanding or insight of the Lord. So this section of scripture containing the first two phases of growth can be summarized as follows: From out of the presence and interaction of God's Spirit with your spirit, let His presence produce His character and virtues. From out of the development of His character and virtues, let His understanding and insight be developed in you.

This week we move on to the next three phases in the growth process, which are found in 2 Peter 1:6. Each has to do with the believer's response to the Lord in the circumstances and trials of life.

6)

and in the knowledge the self-control, and in the self-control the endurance (ὑπομονὴ), and in the endurance (ὑπομονὴ) the godliness,

Writing that the believer is to let self-control be supplied from out of knowledge, Peter uses the Greek word ἐγκρὰτεια (Strong's #1466) which is translated here as self-control (or temperance in some translations). It means to have one's passions, desires, and appetites controlled from within. ̓Εγκρὰτεια comes from the preposition ἐν (Strong's # 1722) meaning "in," and κρὰτος (Strong's #2904) meaning "grip." Hence, ἐγκρὰτεια literally means "to be gripped or controlled from within." The source of this control-of-self is revealed by Paul as being part of the fruit (singular) of God's Spirit (Galatians 5:23). When this understanding is coupled with Peter's teaching from verse 6, we perceive that a believer's physical desires and appetites are to be controlled from within by the Spirit of God.

Peter continues to explain the growth process by writing that endurance is supplied from out of self-control. The word used here for endurance is our word of study ὑπομονὴ (Strong's #5281), which means "to remain under." ̔Υπομονὴ is the usual word from which the English translation "patience" is rendered, because it is associated with patience or remaining under circumstances (whereas μακροθυμὶα (Strong's #3115) is translated "longsuffering" and refers to patience with people— literally meaning "to be slow in human reaction toward others.") Our word, ὑπομονὴ, represents the growth process that allows a Christian to remain under circumstances and trials. When his/her physical desires have been brought under the control of God's Spirit, a Christian is able to endure and experience the Lord and the changes He brings through those circumstances. A Christian will not be able to remain under circumstances until his/her physical desires have been brought under the control of the Spirit of God.

Peter then writes that godliness is supplied from out of endurance. The word translated "godliness" is εὐσὲβεια, which means reverence, respect, or godliness. Its meaning conveys an understanding of respect toward the Lord as expressed in one's attitude, speech, and lifestyle. In the context of Peter's teaching, it refers to an attitude of respect for the Lord developed through remaining under the circumstances and trials of life. As every believer knows, we do not always have a good attitude toward the Lord as we go through life's difficulties. We often question God— when hardships arise, when a loved one is taken in death. But Peter's text reveals that the Lord is developing and forming an attitude of true respect within each believer toward Himself through the process of remaining under the circumstances of life. Therefore, true reverence and respect for the Lord is developed from out of the believer's willingness to remain under circumstances. The reverse is also true: an unwillingness to trust the Lord and remain under circumstances causes the believer to develop an attitude of disrespect toward the Lord.

So far we have studied the first five phases of the growth process that is taking place within each Christian. The entire process is dependent upon and developed from the indwelling presence of the divine nature of God. Through interaction with His Spirit, a Christian is exposed to the virtues and character of God. This exposure then influences his/her growth to spiritual maturity. This growth is the means by which a Christian gains godly insight into and understanding of the Spirit of God, the flesh, and the world in general. Once he/she has grown into this ability to discern between the flesh and the Spirit, a Christian is then able to submit to God's Spirit, relinquishing control of his/her desires and appetites. Then, with the Spirit of the Lord in control of the self-life, the believer is able to endure and trust the Lord. As he/she trusts the Lord and endures, God's faithfulness is experienced as He sustains the believer through the circumstances of life. This enables the believer to live a life of thankfulness and true respect toward God. He/she becomes a living witness to the glory of God, affirming 2 Peter 1:3—that God's divine power gives us "all things pertaining to life and godliness (εὐσὲβεια)."

Next week we will study the final two phases of the growth process (2 Peter 1:7), which are focused in the area of our relationship with others. Please be advised that full understanding of the present subject is predicated upon a solid understanding of the preceding parts of this study. Please take time to review them if you have just joined us.

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

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