4343. proskarterésis

Lexical Summary

proskarterésis: Perseverance, steadfastness, devotion

Original Word: προσκαρτέρησις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: proskarterésis
Pronunciation: pros-kar-ter'-ay-sis
Phonetic Spelling: (pros-kar-ter'-ay-sis)
KJV: perseverance
NASB: perseverance
Word Origin: [from G4342 (προσκαρτερέω - continually devoting themselves)]

1. persistancy

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

perseverance.

From proskartereo; persistancy -- perseverance.

see GREEK proskartereo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 4343 proskartérēsis – strong perseverance which prevails by interacting with God (used only in Eph 6:18). See 4342 (proskartereō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from proskartereó
Definition
steadfastness
NASB Translation
perseverance (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4343: προσκαρτέρησις

προσκαρτέρησις, προσκαρτερησεως, ἡ, (προσκαρτερέω), perseverance: Ephesians 6:18. Nowhere else; (Koumanoudes, Λεξ. ἀθης. under the word).

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4343, προσκαρτέρησις, expresses the idea of steadfast, active perseverance. It appears once in the Greek New Testament—Ephesians 6:18—yet its single occurrence distills a rich biblical theme: continual devotion that remains alert, Spirit-empowered, and other-focused.

Biblical Usage and Context

Ephesians 6:18 crowns the well-known passage on the armor of God. Having exhorted believers to “stand firm” against the schemes of the devil, Paul adds the indispensable reality of unceasing, vigilant prayer:

“With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end stay alert with all perseverance and petitions for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

Here προσκαρτέρησις serves four emphases:

1. Continuity—“at all times” signals a lifestyle, not a moment.
2. Watchfulness—“stay alert” links perseverance to spiritual vigilance (compare Matthew 26:41).
3. Corporate concern—intercession is “for all the saints,” uniting perseverance with the communion of believers.
4. Spirit empowerment—prayer is “in the Spirit,” placing perseverance within the sphere of divine enablement rather than mere human resolve.

Relationship to the Verb proskartereo (Strong’s 4342)

Although the noun occurs only once, its cognate verb paints the larger canvas. The verb regularly describes:
• Persistent prayer (Acts 1:14; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2).
• Steady adherence to apostolic teaching and fellowship (Acts 2:42).
• Faithful service (Acts 6:4; 10:7).

These passages illuminate 4343: biblical perseverance is not grim stoicism but devoted constancy, whether in prayer, doctrine, fellowship, or ministry.

Theological Themes

1. Spiritual Warfare: Perseverance is the posture of soldiers who refuse surrender (Ephesians 6:10-18). Continuous prayer keeps the armor fastened.
2. Communal Intercession: The text disallows isolated spirituality; the whole church is sustained by the whole church’s prayers (compare 1 Timothy 2:1).
3. Empowered Endurance: Because prayer is “in the Spirit,” perseverance is graced, echoing Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might nor by power.”
4. Perseverance of the Saints: While divine sovereignty secures salvation, human perseverance is the appointed means. προσκαρτέρησις thus harmonizes divine preservation with purposeful human response (Philippians 2:12-13).

Historical and Ecclesial Significance

• Early Church: Acts records that the earliest believers “continued steadfastly” in prayer and community, supporting rapid gospel advance.
• Patristic Testimony: Writers such as Tertullian and Cyprian urged continual prayer modeled on Ephesians 6:18, seeing it as the church’s lifeline during persecution.
• Reformation and Revival: From the pre-Reformation “daily offices” to the prayer meetings that fueled the Great Awakenings, history repeatedly shows that sustained, corporate prayer precedes spiritual renewal.

Pastoral and Practical Applications

• Personal Discipline: Set rhythms (morning, mealtime, evening) cultivate continual communion.
• Corporate Gatherings: Prayer meetings, elder intercession, and congregational petitions embody “all perseverance.”
• Mission and Evangelism: Like Paul’s request in the next verse (Ephesians 6:19), persevering prayer opens doors for the gospel.
• Spiritual Alertness: Believers battle distraction and discouragement by watchful perseverance, keeping eyes fixed on Christ (Hebrews 12:1-3).
• Suffering Church: Intercession for persecuted saints lives out the command to persevere “for all the saints.”

Related Passages for Further Study

Acts 1:14; Acts 2:42; Acts 6:4; Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2; Hebrews 10:36; James 5:16-18; 1 Peter 4:7.

Summary

Strong’s 4343 highlights the Spirit-enabled constancy that anchors Christian life and mission. Though appearing only once, προσκαρτέρησις distills a call heard throughout Scripture: stay alert, remain steadfast, and persevere in prayer for the glory of God and the good of His people.

Forms and Transliterations

προσκαρτερησει προσκαρτερήσει προσκατέλιπον πρόσκαυμα προσκειμένας προσκείμενοι προσκειμένοις προσκείμενος προσκειμένω προσκειμένων πρόσκεισαι προσκείσθαι πρόσκειται proskarteresei proskarterēsei proskarterḗsei

Englishman's Concordance

Ephesians 6:18 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν πάσῃ προσκαρτερήσει καὶ δεήσει
NAS: with all perseverance and petition
KJV: with all perseverance and supplication
INT: with all perserverance and supplication

Strong's Greek 4343
1 Occurrence

προσκαρτερήσει — 1 Occ.