The term "upholder" in a biblical context refers to one who supports, sustains, or maintains. This concept is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's nature and His relationship with creation and humanity. The idea of God as the ultimate Upholder is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing His sovereignty, providence, and faithfulness.

God as the Upholder

In the Bible, God is frequently depicted as the Upholder of all creation. Hebrews 1:3 states, "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word." This passage highlights the divine power and authority of Jesus Christ, who sustains the universe by His command. The imagery of upholding underscores the continuous and active role of God in maintaining the order and existence of the cosmos.

Psalm 54:4 further illustrates this concept: "Surely God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul." Here, the psalmist acknowledges God as the one who upholds and supports the soul, providing strength and stability in times of trouble. This personal aspect of God as the Upholder is a source of comfort and assurance for believers, affirming that God is intimately involved in their lives.

Upholder of Justice and Righteousness

God's role as the Upholder extends to His justice and righteousness. Isaiah 41:10 declares, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." This promise reveals God's commitment to uphold His people with justice and righteousness, ensuring that His divine purposes are fulfilled.

The concept of upholding justice is also evident in Psalm 82:3-4 , which calls for the defense of the weak and fatherless, and the maintenance of the rights of the poor and oppressed. As the ultimate Upholder, God sets the standard for justice and calls His people to reflect His character in their actions.

Upholder of the Covenant

God's faithfulness as the Upholder is particularly evident in His covenant relationships. Throughout the Old Testament, God is portrayed as the one who upholds His covenant promises to His people, despite their unfaithfulness. In Genesis 17:7 , God promises Abraham, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." This covenantal faithfulness is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to uphold His promises.

In the New Testament, the new covenant established through Jesus Christ is upheld by God's grace and truth. Hebrews 8:6 speaks of Jesus as the mediator of a better covenant, established on better promises. This new covenant is a fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, upheld by His eternal purpose and love.

Believers as Upholders

While God is the ultimate Upholder, believers are also called to be upholders of His truth and righteousness in the world. Ephesians 4:15 encourages believers to "speak the truth in love," growing in every way into Christ, who is the head. This call to uphold truth and love reflects the character of God and His desire for His people to be agents of His kingdom on earth.

In Galatians 6:2 , believers are instructed to "carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This mutual upholding within the body of Christ is a practical expression of love and support, mirroring the sustaining nature of God.

In summary, the concept of the Upholder in the Bible encompasses God's sustaining power over creation, His commitment to justice and righteousness, His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and the call for believers to reflect His character by upholding truth and love in their lives.1. (n.) A broker or auctioneer; a tradesman.

2. (n.) An undertaker, or provider for funerals.

3. (n.) An upholsterer.

4. (n.) One who, or that which, upholds; a supporter; a defender; a sustainer.

Psalm CXLIV.
... 3. My Mercy and my Refuge, my Upholder and my Deliverer" (ver.2). Much toileth
this combatant, having his flesh lusting against his spirit. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxliv.htm

Psalm I.
... My holy oil have I anointed him. He shall call Me, Thou art my Father and
the upholder of my salvation. And I will make him My first ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/psalm i.htm

Psalm LIII. (LIV. ).
... speaker might be understood to have obtained what He was asking even in the very
moment of asking: Behold, God is My helper and the Lord is the upholder of My ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/psalm liii liv.htm

Preliminary
... It requires only a cursory reading to see that the narratives in English cannot
claim to be strictly inerrant, so that the upholder of inerrancy is driven to ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter i preliminary.htm

Preface
... that the writer's stand-point throughout has been that of a loyal attachment to
the Church of England, as the authorized exponent and upholder of Catholic ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/preface.htm

Here is the Sum of My Examination Before Justice Keelin, Justice ...
... conditions, he hath (since such a time) devilishly and perniciously abstained from
coming to church to hear Divine service, and is a common upholder of several ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/here is the sum of.htm

Introductory Notice to Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria.
... For on all sides he is styled "the staunchest upholder of evangelical doctrine,"
"the patron and protector of apostolic doctrine;" and "that bishop of divine ...
/.../introductory notice to alexander bishop.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... Being an infinite, glorious Spirit, He does not perform the deeds of men clothed
with flesh and blood, but being the upholder of all things, and the glorious ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

All Sufficiency
... None of His works can fully reveal the great Designer, and Executor, and Upholder;
and the loftiest thoughts and imaginations of the finite mind can never rise ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/all sufficiency.htm

But Whereas the Apostle, when Commending the Fruit of Unmarried ...
... marriage is base; otherwise we shall condemn first marriages also, which neither
Cataphryges, nor Novatians, nor their most learned upholder Tertullian dared ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 7 but whereas the.htm

Upholder (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Upholder (1 Occurrence). Psalms 54:4 Behold, God is my
helper: The Lord is of them that uphold my soul. (See JPS RSV). ...
/u/upholder.htm - 6k

Upholders (1 Occurrence)

/u/upholders.htm - 6k

Upholden (2 Occurrences)

/u/upholden.htm - 6k

Father (11359 Occurrences)
... Vater; Hebrew 'abh, etymology uncertain, found in many cognate languages; Greek
pater, from root pa, "nourisher," "protector," "upholder"): 1. Immediate Male ...
/f/father.htm - 21k

Image (126 Occurrences)
... is said to dwell in Him "all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (1:19; 2:9). In
He not only is the Son the final revelation of God to men, the upholder of the ...
/i/image.htm - 60k

Gnosticism
... there dwells not merely some or even much of the fullness of God, but all the fullness
of the Godhead bodily; Christ the God of providence, the Upholder of all ...
/g/gnosticism.htm - 38k

Laodiceans (2 Occurrences)
... These are the great thoughts of Christ the Creator of all things, Christ the
Upholder of all things, Christ the Reconciler of all things. ...
/l/laodiceans.htm - 28k

Epistle (13 Occurrences)

/e/epistle.htm - 101k

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Upholder: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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