Topical Bible: Maintain

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of "maintain" in the Bible encompasses the ideas of upholding, preserving, and continuing in a state or condition. It is often associated with the faithfulness and steadfastness required of believers in their relationship with God, their conduct, and their responsibilities.

Faithfulness and Steadfastness

In the context of faith, maintaining one's commitment to God is a recurring theme. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently exhorts believers to remain steadfast in their faith. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 16:13 , Paul urges, "Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong." This call to maintain faithfulness is echoed throughout the New Testament, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in the Christian walk.

Upholding God's Commands

Maintaining God's commandments is a central aspect of the believer's life. In Deuteronomy 6:17 , the Israelites are instructed, "You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has commanded you." This directive underscores the necessity of upholding God's laws as a demonstration of love and obedience to Him.

Preserving Unity and Peace

The New Testament also highlights the importance of maintaining unity and peace within the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:3 encourages believers to be "diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." This involves actively working to sustain harmonious relationships and fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual edification among believers.

Maintaining Good Works

The call to maintain good works is a significant aspect of Christian living. In Titus 3:8 , Paul writes, "This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will be intent on maintaining good works. These things are excellent and profitable for the people." Here, the emphasis is on the continuous practice of good deeds as a reflection of one's faith and as a testimony to others.

Guarding the Faith

Believers are also called to maintain the purity and integrity of the faith. In 2 Timothy 1:14 , Paul instructs Timothy, "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you; guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us." This charge involves protecting the core truths of the Gospel from distortion and faithfully transmitting them to future generations.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate to maintain encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities, from personal faithfulness and obedience to communal harmony and doctrinal purity. It is a call to steadfastness in all aspects of the Christian life, ensuring that one's faith and actions align with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. t.) To hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; to uphold; to keep up; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain a fence or a railroad; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present reputation.

2. (v. t.) To keep possession of; to hold and defend; not to surrender or relinquish.

3. (v. t.) To continue; not to suffer to cease or fail.

4. (v. t.) To bear the expense of; to support; to keep up; to supply with what is needed.

5. (v. t.) To affirm; to support or defend by argument.

Greek

4291. proistemi -- early
... Phonetic Spelling: (pro-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition: I rule Definition: I preside,
rule over, give attention to, direct, maintain, practice diligently. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4291.htm - 7k

1696. emmeno -- to abide in, fig. to be true to, to persevere
... persevere. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: emmeno Phonetic Spelling:
(em-men'-o) Short Definition: I remain or abide in, abide by, maintain Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1696.htm - 7k

5083. tereo -- to watch over, to guard
... watch over. 5083 (from , "a guard") -- properly, maintain (preserve);
(figuratively) (watch), . Word Origin from a prim. word teros ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5083.htm - 10k

4465. rhabdouchos -- a rod holder, ie (a Roman) lictor (one ...
... 4465 (from 4464 , "a rod" and 2190, "have") -- properly, an official who beat people
with to maintain law-and-order (ie as "a policeman"); literally, someone ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4465.htm - 7k

5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch
... Usage abstain (1), guard (8), guarded (1), guarding (1), guards (1), keep (5), keeping
(2), keeps (1), kept (4), kept under guard (1), maintain (1), observe (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5442.htm - 9k

3049. logizomai -- to reckon, to consider
... to consider NASB Word Usage consider (6), considered (2), counted (1), counting
(1), credit (1), credited (9), credits (1), dwell (1), maintain (1), numbered (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3049.htm - 8k

2309. thelo -- to will, wish
... am willing (3), delighting (1), delights (1), desire (14), desired (4), desires
(4), desiring (2), intended (1), intending (1), like (3), maintain (1), mean (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2309.htm - 11k

226. aletheuo -- to speak the truth
... aletheuo Phonetic Spelling: (al-ayth-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I say, speak truth,
I do truth Definition: I say (speak) truth, do truth, maintain truth (the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/226.htm - 7k

192. akrasia -- want of power
... 192 (from 1 "not" and 2904 , "prevail") -- properly, without prevailing (taking
dominion), ie the inability to maintain control; (figuratively) without self ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/192.htm - 7k

2192. echo -- to have, hold
... 2), having (50), held (1), hold (5), holding (7), holds (2), ill* (5), incurring
(1), involves (1), keep (3), keeping (3), kept (1), maintain (1), maintained (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2192.htm - 11k

Strong's Hebrew

2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... 3), joining (1), laid hold (1), louder (1), made (1), made himself secure (1), made
their harder (1), made repairs (12), made stronger (1), maintain (1), make ...
/hebrew/2388.htm - 8k

8551. tamak -- to grasp, support, attain
... take, uphold up, maintain, retain, stay up. A primitive root; to sustain;
by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to ...
/hebrew/8551.htm - 6k

3557. kul -- to comprehend, contain
... contain NASB Word Usage calculated (1), contain (4), contains (1), endure (5), had
to provide (1), held (1), hold (4), holding (2), maintain (1), provide (4 ...
/hebrew/3557.htm - 6k

6213. asah -- do, make
... furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)),
X indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet ...
/hebrew/6213.htm - 6k

6113. atsar -- to restrain, retain
... A primitive root; to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule,
assemble -- X be able, close up, detain, fast, keep (self close, still), prevail ...
/hebrew/6113.htm - 6k

3559. kun -- to be firm
... ready (1), installed (1), made it ready (1), made preparations (1), made provision
(1), made...preparations (1), made...ready (1), maintain his position (1 ...
/hebrew/3559.htm - 7k

3198. yakach -- to decide, adjudge, prove
... to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict -- appoint, argue, chasten,
convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason ...
/hebrew/3198.htm - 6k

6213a. asah -- do, make
... 1), inflict (1), inflicted (1), inlaid (1), instituted (2), introduced (2), keep
(1), kept (1), labored (1), laborers (1), made (369), maintain (6), maintained ...
/hebrew/6213a.htm - 8k

5341. natsar -- to watch, guard, keep
... A primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) Or
a bad one (to conceal, etc.) -- besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing ...
/hebrew/5341.htm - 6k

Library

That the Platonists Maintain that the Poets Wrong the Gods by ...
... Chapter 7."That the Platonists Maintain that the Poets Wrong the Gods by Representing
Them as Distracted by Party Feeling, to Which the Demons and Not the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 7 that the platonists maintain.htm

Careful to Maintain Good Works
... XXIII Careful to maintain Good Works. ... Let our people also learn to maintain good
works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.'"Tit.3:8, 14 ...
/.../murray/working for god/xxiii careful to maintain good.htm

How those who Maintain that a Man Can be Without Sin are Charged ...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter VII. How those who maintain that
a man can be without sin are charged with a twofold error. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter vii how those who.htm

Of those who Maintain that they Worship the Gods not for the Sake ...
... Book VI. Chapter 1."Of Those Who Maintain that They Worship the Gods Not
for the Sake of Temporal But Eternal Advantages. Now, as ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 1 of those who maintain.htm

The Catholics Maintain the Doctrine of Original Sin, and Thus are ...
... Book II. Chapter 9."The Catholics Maintain the Doctrine of Original Sin,
and Thus are Far from Being Manicheans. Listen, then, for ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 9 the catholics maintain the.htm

Against those who Maintain that the Spirit is in the Rank Neither ...
... Chapter XX. Against those who maintain that the Spirit is in the rank neither
of a servant nor of a master, but in that of the free. 51. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xx against those who.htm

The Pelagians Maintain that the Law is the Grace of God which ...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 23 [XI.]"The Pelagians Maintain
that the Law is the Grace of God Which Helps Us Not to Sin. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 23 xi the pelagians maintain.htm

O virgin, Maintain Thy Purpose which is Destined for a Great ...
... Chapter XII. O Virgin, maintain thy purpose which is destined for a great reward.?
O Virgin, maintain thy purpose which is destined for a great reward. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xii o virgin maintain.htm

Let Heretics Maintain their Claims by a Definite and Intelligible ...
... Chapter XXXV."Let Heretics Maintain Their Claims by a Definite and Intelligible
Evidence This the Only Method of Solving Their Questions. ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xxxv let heretics maintain their.htm

We, Therefore, do not Maintain that the Body which Has Undergone ...
... Chapter XXIII. We, therefore, do not maintain that the body which has
undergone corruption resumes its original? We, therefore ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxiii we therefore do.htm

Thesaurus

Maintain (50 Occurrences)
... hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; to uphold;
to keep up; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain ...
/m/maintain.htm - 21k

Uphold (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To hold up; to lift on high; to elevate. 2. (vt)
To keep erect; to support; to sustain; to keep from falling; to maintain. ...
/u/uphold.htm - 14k

Vindicate (18 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To maintain or defend with success; to prove to be valid; to assert
convincingly; to sustain against assault; as, to vindicate a right, claim, or title ...
/v/vindicate.htm - 11k

Keep (4573 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain
unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor. ...
/k/keep.htm - 9k

Stand (542 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) To maintain one's ground; to be acquitted; not to fail or yield;
to be safe. 8. (n.) To maintain an invincible or permanent ...
/s/stand.htm - 39k

Plea (35 Occurrences)
... house; (See NIV). 1 Kings 8:45 then hear in heaven their prayer and their
supplication, and maintain their cause. (See NIV). 1 Kings ...
/p/plea.htm - 16k

Support (135 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To furnish with the means of sustenance or livelihood; to maintain; to provide
for; as, to support a family; to support the ministers of the gospel. ...
/s/support.htm - 36k

Supplication (71 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:45 then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and
maintain their cause. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/s/supplication.htm - 29k

Nourish (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To support; to maintain. ... Kilkal means "to support," "maintain" "provide for"
(especially with food) (Genesis 45:11; Genesis 47:12; Genesis 50:21). ...
/n/nourish.htm - 13k

Requires (21 Occurrences)
... hearts, while their consciences also bear witness to the Law, and their thoughts,
as if in mutual discussion, accuse them or perhaps maintain their innocence ...
/r/requires.htm - 12k

Resources

How can I maintain a good attitude when I am struggling with PMS? | GotQuestions.org

How can I maintain a good attitude when I am struggling with hormones / hormonal? | GotQuestions.org

How can a Christian cope while suffering with a degenerative disease? | GotQuestions.org

Maintain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Maintain (50 Occurrences)

Acts 19:36
These facts, then, being unquestioned, it becomes you to maintain your self-control and not act recklessly.
(WEY)

Acts 23:8
For the Sadducees maintain that there is no resurrection, and neither angel nor spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge the existence of both.
(WEY)

Acts 24:16
Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
(See NAS)

Romans 2:15
since they exhibit proof that a knowledge of the conduct which the Law requires is engraven on their hearts, while their consciences also bear witness to the Law, and their thoughts, as if in mutual discussion, accuse them or perhaps maintain their innocence--
(WEY)

Romans 3:28
We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
(WEB WEY NAS NIV)

Romans 6:13
and no longer lend your faculties as unrighteous weapons for Sin to use. On the contrary surrender your very selves to God as living men who have risen from the dead, and surrender your several faculties to God, to be used as weapons to maintain the right.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 7:9
If, however, they cannot maintain self-control, by all means let them marry; for marriage is better than the fever of passion.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 9:14
In the same way the Lord also directed those who proclaim the Good News to maintain themselves by the Good News.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 11:2
Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.
(See RSV)

Ephesians 4:2
with all lowliness of mind and unselfishness, and with patience, bearing with one another lovingly, and earnestly striving to maintain,
(WEY)

Ephesians 4:3
being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(See RSV)

1 Timothy 5:21
I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
(See NAS)

Titus 3:8
This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Titus 3:14
Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

James 2:1
My brethren, you must not make distinctions between one man and another while you are striving to maintain faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our glory.
(WEY)

1 Peter 2:12
having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
(See RSV)

2 Peter 3:5
For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water, by the word of God;
(See NAS)

Genesis 45:11
And there will I maintain thee; for yet there are five years of famine; in order that thou be not impoverished, thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast.
(DBY)

Genesis 50:21
And now, fear not: I will maintain you and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spoke consolingly to them.
(DBY)

Leviticus 25:35
"'If your brother has become poor, and his hand can't support him among you; then you shall uphold him. As a stranger and a sojourner he shall live with you.
(See RSV)

Ruth 4:5
Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must buy it also from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance."
(See NIV)

Ruth 4:10
Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead not be cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses this day."
(See NIV)

2 Samuel 19:33
And the king said to Barzillai, Pass thou over with me, and I will maintain thee with me in Jerusalem.
(DBY)

1 Kings 8:45
then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

1 Kings 8:49
then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven, your dwelling place, and maintain their cause;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

1 Kings 8:59
Let these my words, with which I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near to Yahweh our God day and night, that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as every day shall require;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

1 Kings 10:9
Blessed is Yahweh your God, who delighted in you, to set you on the throne of Israel. Because Yahweh loved Israel forever, therefore made he you king, to do justice and righteousness."
(See NIV)

1 Kings 17:9
Arise, go to Zarephath, which is by Zidon, and abide there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to maintain thee.
(DBY)

2 Kings 8:19
However Yahweh would not destroy Judah, for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give to him a lamp for his children always.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 26:27
Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD.
(KJV DBY WBS)

2 Chronicles 6:35
then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

2 Chronicles 6:39
then hear from heaven, even from your dwelling place, their prayer and their petitions, and maintain their cause, and forgive your people who have sinned against you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

2 Chronicles 9:8
Blessed be Yahweh your God, who delighted in you, to set you on his throne, to be king for Yahweh your God: because your God loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore made he you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 21:7
However Yahweh would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a lamp to him and to his children always.
(See NIV)

Job 2:9
Then his wife said to him, "Do you still maintain your integrity? Renounce God, and die."
(WEB)

Job 13:15
Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Job 16:21
that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!
(WEB ASV RSV)

Psalms 82:3
"Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
(WEB RSV NIV)

Psalms 101:7
He who practices deceit won't dwell within my house. He who speaks falsehood won't be established before my eyes.
(See NAS)

Psalms 106:3
Blessed are those who keep justice. Blessed is one who does what is right at all times.
(See NIV)

Psalms 112:5
It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment.
(WEB ASV NAS)

Psalms 140:12
I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the needy.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Proverbs 5:2
that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge.
(WEB NIV)

Proverbs 31:9
Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
(See RSV)

Isaiah 56:1
The Lord says, Let your way of life be upright, and let your behaviour be rightly ordered: for my salvation is near, and my righteousness will quickly be seen.
(See NIV)

Ezekiel 7:13
For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they be yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude of it, none shall return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.
(See NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 17:17
And not with a great force, and with a numerous assembly, Doth Pharaoh maintain him in battle, By pouring out a mount, and in building a fortification, To cut off many souls.
(YLT)

Daniel 11:20
Then shall stand up in his place one who shall cause a tax collector to pass through the kingdom to maintain its glory; but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. Habakkuk
(WEB NIV)

Hosea 12:6
Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.
(See NIV)

Amos 5:15
Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the courts. It may be that Yahweh, the God of Armies, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Maintain

Related Terms

Ciccar

Keys (2 Occurrences)

Punishment (417 Occurrences)

Poor (276 Occurrences)

Ebionites

Ebionism

Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)

Gospels

Plain (113 Occurrences)