Definition and Context
The term "upholding" in a biblical context refers to the act of sustaining, supporting, or maintaining something or someone. It is often used to describe God's providential care and sustaining power over creation and His people. The concept of upholding is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the world.

Biblical References

1. Hebrews 1:3 · "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word."
This verse highlights the divine nature of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His role in sustaining the universe. The phrase "upholding all things by His powerful word" underscores the belief that Christ is not only the creator but also the sustainer of all creation. His word is powerful and effective, ensuring the continued existence and order of the universe.

2. Isaiah 41:10 · "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Here, God promises His presence and support to His people. The assurance of being upheld by God's "righteous right hand" conveys a sense of divine protection and strength. This passage is often cited to encourage believers to trust in God's unwavering support during times of fear and uncertainty.

3. Psalm 145:14 · "The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down."
This verse reflects God's compassion and care for those who are struggling or burdened. The act of upholding is associated with God's mercy and His willingness to restore and elevate those who are in need. It is a testament to God's attentiveness to the plight of the humble and the downtrodden.

4. Psalm 37:17 · "For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous."
In this passage, a contrast is drawn between the fate of the wicked and the righteous. While the wicked face destruction, the righteous are upheld by the Lord. This assurance of divine support for the righteous serves as a reminder of God's justice and His commitment to those who live according to His will.

Theological Significance

The concept of upholding is central to understanding God's relationship with His creation. It affirms that God is not a distant or detached deity but is actively involved in the world. His sustaining power is a source of comfort and assurance for believers, who can rely on His strength and support in all circumstances. Upholding also reflects God's faithfulness and His unchanging nature, as He consistently provides for and protects His people.

Practical Implications

For believers, the idea of being upheld by God encourages a life of faith and trust. It calls for reliance on God's strength rather than one's own abilities. In times of trial or weakness, Christians are reminded to seek God's support and to rest in His promises. Upholding also inspires believers to emulate God's sustaining love by supporting and encouraging one another within the community of faith.

His Power is Evident by Upholding it All
... THE SECOND CENTURY 22 His power is evident by upholding it all. His power is evident
by upholding it all. But how shall His life appear in that which is dead? ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/22 his power is evident.htm

Hebrews i. 3
... Hebrews i. 3. Hebrews i.3 "Who being the brightness of His Glory and the express
Image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily ii hebrews i 3.htm

Creation and Re-Creation.
... things, particularly in creating man, and most particularly in endowing him with
gifts and talents; also that His creative work affects the upholding of "things ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ix creation and re-creation.htm

Whether Human Law Prescribes Acts of all the virtues?
... individual, or to the common good of the multitude: thus matters of fortitude may
be achieved either for the safety of the state, or for upholding the rights ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether human law prescribes acts.htm

Of Predestination
... teaches him, (Isaiah 28:26,) is himself wise in his counsel, and hath some grand
project before him in all this fabric of the world, and the upholding of it ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xv of predestination.htm

Hebrews i. 1, 2
... Ver.3, 4. "Who, (being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His
person, and upholding all things by the word of His power,) when He had by ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily i hebrews i 1.htm

part i.
... of creation, and how beautiful the universe produced!"the whole mantled in the
effulgence of the eternal throne; the Sovereign Creator upholding all ranks of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part i.htm

Following Hard after God
... In this divine "upholding" and human "following" there is no contradiction. All
is of God, for as von Huegel teaches, God is always previous. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/i following hard after god.htm

Some Carriages of the Adversaries of God's Truth with Me at the ...
... was so blotted out), and he himself put in words to this purpose: That John Bunyan
was committed to prison; being lawfully convicted for upholding of unlawful ...
/.../grace abounding to the chief of sinners/some carriages of the adversaries.htm

The Day of Rejoicing
... by his brother, who did his best to show the conduct of the Arians in its true light
and threatened him with civil war if he persisted in upholding them, he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 7 the day of.htm

Upholding (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Upholding (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 9:7 That the
government may be increased, and of peace there be no end ...
/u/upholding.htm - 6k

Upholds (12 Occurrences)

/u/upholds.htm - 9k

Upholdeth (8 Occurrences)

/u/upholdeth.htm - 8k

Loyal (15 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Faithful to law; upholding the lawful authority; faithful and true to the
lawful government; faithful to the prince or sovereign to whom one is subject ...
/l/loyal.htm - 11k

Word (8118 Occurrences)
... (3) As a promise and ground of hope (Psalm 119:25, 28, 38, etc.; 130:5, etc.).
(4) As creative, upholding, and preserving (Psalm 33:6; compare Genesis 1:3 ...
/w/word.htm - 16k

Radiance (9 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance,
and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself ...
/r/radiance.htm - 9k

Expression (17 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Hebrews 1:3 who being the effulgence of his glory and the expression of his
substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, having made by ...
/e/expression.htm - 12k

Express (13 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his
person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by ...
/e/express.htm - 12k

Effulgence (1 Occurrence)
... Hebrews 1:3 who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance,
and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made ...
/e/effulgence.htm - 6k

Majesty (67 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 1:3 His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance,
and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself ...
/m/majesty.htm - 26k

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