Definition and Meaning:
To persist means to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, or course of action, especially in spite of opposition or difficulty. In a biblical context, persistence is often associated with faithfulness, endurance, and perseverance in the face of trials and challenges.

Biblical References:

1. Persistence in Prayer:
The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of persistence in prayer. Jesus taught His disciples to be persistent in their prayers, illustrating this with the parable of the persistent widow. In Luke 18:1-8 , Jesus tells of a widow who continually approaches an unjust judge, seeking justice. Her persistence eventually leads the judge to grant her request. Jesus concludes, "And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?" (Luke 18:7). This parable underscores the importance of persistent prayer and faith in God's justice.

2. Endurance in Trials:
The New Testament encourages believers to persist in their faith, especially during times of trial. James 1:12 states, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." This verse highlights the reward for those who persist in their faith despite difficulties.

3. Steadfastness in Faith:
The Apostle Paul often wrote about the need for persistence in the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 15:58 , he exhorts believers, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Here, persistence is linked to being steadfast and immovable in one's faith and service to God.

4. Perseverance in Good Works:
Galatians 6:9 encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good: "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." This verse emphasizes the importance of persisting in good works, with the assurance of a future reward.

5. Examples of Persistence:
The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who demonstrated persistence. Job is a notable example; despite severe trials and suffering, he remained steadfast in his faith. James 5:11 refers to Job's perseverance: "Behold, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."

Theological Significance:

Persistence is a vital aspect of the Christian life, reflecting a believer's commitment to God and His purposes. It is often associated with the fruit of the Spirit, particularly patience and faithfulness. Persistence in prayer, faith, and good works is seen as a demonstration of trust in God's promises and His ultimate sovereignty. The Bible assures believers that their persistence will be rewarded, both in this life and in the life to come.(v. i.) To stand firm; to be fixed and unmoved; to continue steadfastly; especially, to continue fixed in a course of conduct against opposing motives; to persevere; -- sometimes conveying an unfavorable notion, as of doggedness or obstinacy.1300. diateleo -- to accomplish thoroughly, ie to persist
... to accomplish thoroughly, ie to persist. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diateleo
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-at-el-eh'-o) Short Definition: I continue ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1300.htm - 6k

1961. epimeno -- to stay on
... to stay on. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epimeno Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-men'-o) Short Definition: I remain, tarry, persist in Definition: (a) I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1961.htm - 8k

4342. proskartereo -- to attend constantly
... to attend constantly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proskartereo Phonetic
Spelling: (pros-kar-ter-eh'-o) Short Definition: I persist Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4342.htm - 8k

4357. prosmeno -- to wait longer
... to wait longer. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prosmeno Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-men'-o) Short Definition: I remain, persist in Definition: I remain; I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4357.htm - 7k

2001. epischuo -- to grow stronger
... to grow stronger. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epischuo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-is-khoo'-o) Short Definition: I persist, insist Definition: I persist ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2001.htm - 7k

430. anecho -- to hold up, bear with
... anecho Phonetic Spelling: (an-ekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I endure, bear with
Definition: I endure, bear with, have patience with, suffer, admit, persist. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/430.htm - 7k

8280. sarah -- to persist, exert oneself, persevere
... sarah. 8281 . to persist, exert oneself, persevere. Transliteration: sarah Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-raw') Short Definition: contended. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/8280.htm - 6k

Whether Constancy Pertains to Perseverance?
... I answer that, Perseverance and constancy agree as to end, since it belongs to both
to persist firmly in some good: but they differ as to those things which ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether constancy pertains to perseverance.htm

Whether Perseverance is a virtue?
... Objection 3: Further, it is requisite of every virtue that one should persist
unchangeably in the work of that virtue, as stated in Ethic. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether perseverance is a virtue.htm

Of the Disruption of the Kingdom of Israel, by which the Perpetual ...
... And He will not be changed, neither will He repent: for He is not as a man, that
He should repent; who threatens and does not persist." [1034] He to whom it is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 7 of the disruption of.htm

Hence Neither is it Lawful to Accuse those who have Left All...
... of the chief of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he
would not adventure himself into the theatre." But if any persist in contending ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon xiii hence neither is.htm

Prayer Concerns Three.
... The widow must persist and plead because of the sort of man she has to deal
with. But God is utterly different in character. Therefore ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/prayer concerns three.htm

January the Twenty-Fourth the Voice of the Dead
... What shall it be? But these biggest things not only continue to speak in the ears
of memory, they persist as actual forces in the common life of men. ...
/.../january the twenty-fourth the voice.htm

Letter Lv. To Paregorius, the Presbyter.
... am astonished that when you are perfectly well able to furnish me with a short and
easy defence by taking action at once, you should choose to persist in what ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter lv to paregorius the.htm

Whosoever Shall Presume to Set Aside the Decree of the Holy and ...
... the presence of the pious Emperor Constantine, beloved of God, concerning the holy
and salutary feast of Easter; if they shall obstinately persist in opposing ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon i whosoever shall presume.htm

If any Presbyter or Deacon, Despising this Own Bishop...
... And if he persist in troubling and disturbing the Church, let him be corrected,
as a seditious person, by the civil power. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon V. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon v if any presbyter.htm

The Duty of Reproving Our Neighbour
... And if any which are guilty of these sins for a while attempt to defend them, very
few will persist to do it, if you look them steadily in the face, and appeal ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 65 the duty of.htm

Persist (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Persist (10 Occurrences). ... Are we to persist in sinning
in order that the grace extended to us may be the greater? (WEY). ...
/p/persist.htm - 9k

Continue (144 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To be steadfast or constant in any course; to persevere; to abide; to endure;
to persist; to keep up or maintain a particular condition, course, or ...
/c/continue.htm - 36k

Persisted (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Persist. Multi-Version Concordance
Persisted (8 Occurrences). John 8:7 When however they ...
/p/persisted.htm - 9k

Hold (500 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately;
to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain. 10. ...
/h/hold.htm - 39k

Virginity (12 Occurrences)
... use of "virgin" for a city (Isaiah 37:22, etc.; compare Isaiah 23:12; Isaiah
47:1) probably means "unsubdued," though, as often, a title may persist after its ...
/v/virginity.htm - 15k

Urge (34 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To press onward or forward. 8. (vi) To be pressing in argument; to insist;
to persist. Multi-Version Concordance Urge (34 Occurrences). ...
/u/urge.htm - 15k

Warning (30 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 5:20 Those who persist in sin reprove in the presence of all,
so that it may also be a warning to the rest. (WEY NIV). ...
/w/warning.htm - 15k

Insist (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To take a stand and refuse to give way; to hold to something firmly or
determinedly; to be persistent, urgent, or pressing; to persist in demanding ...
/i/insist.htm - 8k

Terms (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:12 But I will persist in the same line of conduct in order to cut
the ground from under the feet of those who desire an opportunity of getting ...
/t/terms.htm - 13k

Recognized (37 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:12 But I will persist in the same line of conduct in order to cut
the ground from under the feet of those who desire an opportunity of getting ...
/r/recognized.htm - 17k

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