Continuance, in a biblical context, refers to the persistence or perseverance in faith, prayer, and righteous living. It is a theme that underscores the importance of steadfastness in the Christian walk, emphasizing the need for believers to remain faithful to God and His commandments throughout their lives.

Old Testament Insights

The concept of continuance is evident in the Old Testament, where the Israelites are repeatedly called to remain faithful to the covenant with God. In Deuteronomy 5:32-33 , Moses instructs the people, "So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left. You must walk in all the ways that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." Here, continuance is linked with obedience and the promise of blessing.

The Psalms also reflect the theme of continuance, particularly in the context of enduring faith and trust in God. Psalm 37:3 encourages believers to "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness." This verse highlights the ongoing nature of faithfulness as a daily practice.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, continuance is a vital aspect of discipleship and spiritual growth. Jesus Himself speaks to the necessity of abiding in Him for spiritual vitality. In John 15:4 , He states, "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me." This metaphor of the vine and branches illustrates the essential connection between continuance in Christ and the production of spiritual fruit.

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of continuance in his epistles. In Galatians 6:9 , he exhorts believers, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Here, continuance is associated with perseverance in doing good, with the assurance of eventual reward.

Paul also emphasizes the importance of continuance in prayer. In Colossians 4:2 , he writes, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." This call to devotion underscores the need for persistent and vigilant prayer life as a means of maintaining a close relationship with God.

Theological Implications

Continuance is not merely a human effort but is empowered by the Holy Spirit. The indwelling presence of the Spirit enables believers to persevere in their faith and to grow in holiness. Romans 8:26 assures us, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words."

Moreover, continuance is closely linked with the concept of sanctification, the process by which believers are gradually conformed to the image of Christ. Philippians 1:6 provides encouragement, stating, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Practical Application

For believers, continuance involves a daily commitment to live according to God's Word, to engage in regular prayer, and to participate in the life of the church. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Continuance is thus a hallmark of genuine faith, reflecting a life that is consistently aligned with God's will and purpose. It is a journey marked by faithfulness, resilience, and hope, sustained by the grace of God and the fellowship of believers.1. (n.) A holding on, or remaining in a particular state; permanence, as of condition, habits, abode, etc.; perseverance; constancy; duration; stay.

2. (n.) Uninterrupted succession; continuation; constant renewal; perpetuation; propagation.

3. (n.) A holding together; continuity.

4. (n.) The adjournment of the proceedings in a cause from one day, or from one stated term of a court, to another.

5. (n.) The entry of such adjournment and the grounds thereof on the record.

CONTINUANCE

kon-tin'-u-ans: Not in the Revised Version (British and American); in Psalm 139:16 the King James Version, as an interpretation of Hebrew yamim, "days," treating of God's prevision, where the Revised Version (British and American) has: "They were all written, even the days that were ordained for me," i.e. all my days were in view, before one of them actually existed. In Isaiah 64:5 the King James Version, for `olam, "of long time," the Revised Version (British and American); in Romans 2:7, for hupomone, "patience," the Revised Version (British and American), or still better, "steadlfastness," the Revised Version, margin.

862. aphthartos -- undecaying, ie imperishable
... From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of phtheiro; undecaying (in essence
or continuance) -- not (in-, un-)corruptible, immortal. see GREEK a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/862.htm - 6k

5281. hupomone -- a remaining behind, a patient enduring
... enduring, patience, steadfast. From hupomeno; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance,
constancy -- enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5281.htm - 7k

2193. heos -- till, until
... Of uncertain affinity; a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until
(of time and place) -- even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2193.htm - 6k

5750. od -- a going around, continuance, still, yet, again, beside
... od or od. 5751 . a going around, continuance, still, yet, again, beside.
Transliteration: od or od Phonetic Spelling: (ode) Short Definition: again. ...
/hebrew/5750.htm - 7k

8411. tedira -- continuance
... 8410, 8411. tedira. 8412 . continuance. Transliteration: tedira Phonetic
Spelling: (ted-ee-raw') Short Definition: constantly. Word ...
/hebrew/8411.htm - 6k

5769. olam -- long duration, antiquity, futurity
... perpetual (29), perpetually (1). always, ancient time, any more, continuance,
eternal, for, everlasting, long time,. Or lolam {o-lawm ...
/hebrew/5769.htm - 7k

8548. tamid -- continuity
... From an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance (as indefinite extension);
but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially ...
/hebrew/8548.htm - 6k

539. aman -- to confirm, support
... interchangeable with 'aman) to go to the right hand -- hence, assurance, believe,
bring up, establish, + fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure ...
/hebrew/539.htm - 6k

Prayer for the Continuance of the Gospel
... II. ORDINANCES. Hymn 48 Prayer for the continuance of the gospel. John Newton
8,8,8,8. Prayer for the continuance of the gospel [25]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 48 prayer for the.htm

Of the Continuance of the Soul.
... Cassian's Conferences. I. First Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XIV.
Of the continuance of the soul. Wherefore every one while ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiv of the continuance.htm

Continuance of the Arian Controversy. Eusebius' Relations to the ...
... Chapter I The Life of Eusebius. Section 7. Continuance of the Arian Controversy.
Eusebius' Relations to the Two Parties. The Council ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/section 7 continuance of the.htm

Analogy of Death and Sleep, and Consequent Argument for the ...
... And let no one think it strange that we call by the name of life a continuance of
being which is interrupted by death and corruption; but let him consider ...
/.../chapter xvianalogy of death and.htm

Continuation of the Argument.
... content with a life associated with neediness and corruption, as suited to our present
state of existence, and we stedfastly hope for a continuance of being in ...
/.../chapter xiii continuation of the argument.htm

What Corruption Affects and what it Is.
... Now all things by corruption fall away from what they were, and are brought to
non-continuance, to non-existence; for existence implies continuance. ...
/.../chapter 6 name corruption affects.htm

Whether Constancy Pertains to Perseverance?
... Because the virtue of perseverance properly makes man persist firmly in good, against
the difficulty that arises from the very continuance of the act: whereas ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether constancy pertains to perseverance.htm

Souls Can be Recognised in the Separate State, and are Immortal ...
... as all things that have been made had a beginning when they were formed, but endure
as long as God wills that they should have an existence and continuance. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiv souls can be recognised.htm

The Raising of the Dead.
... Through all ages men of all degrees and forms of religion have hoped at least
for a continuance of life beyond its seeming extinction. ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/viii the raising of the.htm

Abiding in Love
... Obviously, what is meant is not our continuance in the attitude of love to Him,
but rather our continuance in the sweet and sacred atmosphere of His love to us ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/abiding in love.htm

Continuance (8 Occurrences)
... record. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONTINUANCE. kon-tin ... margin.
Multi-Version Concordance Continuance (8 Occurrences). Luke 8 ...
/c/continuance.htm - 10k

Perseverance (27 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Perseverance of the saints. Their certain continuance
in a state of grace. Once justified and regenerated ...
/p/perseverance.htm - 18k

Lasting (40 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Last. 2. (a.) Existing or continuing a long while; enduring; as, a
lasting good or evil; a lasting color. 3. (n.) Continuance; endurance. ...
/l/lasting.htm - 19k

Nazarite (8 Occurrences)
... three things, (1) abstinence from wine and strong drink, (2) refraining from cutting
the hair off the head during the whole period of the continuance of the vow ...
/n/nazarite.htm - 13k

Lingering (2 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:59 then Yahweh will make your plagues wonderful, and the plagues
of your seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses ...
/l/lingering.htm - 7k

Illnesses (3 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:59 then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues
of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses ...
/i/illnesses.htm - 7k

Extraordinary (11 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:59 then Yahweh will make your plagues wonderful, and the plagues
of your seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses ...
/e/extraordinary.htm - 10k

Miserable (11 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:59 then Yahweh will make your plagues wonderful, and the plagues
of your seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses ...
/m/miserable.htm - 10k

Prolonged (20 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:59 then Yahweh will make your plagues wonderful, and the plagues
of your seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses ...
/p/prolonged.htm - 12k

Chronic (2 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:59 then Yahweh will make your plagues wonderful, and the plagues
of your seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses ...
/c/chronic.htm - 7k

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