Exploring the invitation to Follow Jesus - to ‘Persevere in personal discipleship’
Introduction
In this series we are building what we will refer to as the ‘One Page New Testament’ - #onepagenewtestament. Our approach is building a pictorial summary of the main messages for disciples of Jesus in a systematically derived, structured form. We aim to keep the descriptive text to a minimum and share with you the different Themes that are being created. We will consider the scriptures on their own merit, Theme by Theme, without introducing much in the way of theology. Within each Theme, we will let the scriptures speak for themselves - hopefully in a way that demonstrates the validity of the analysis.
Introduction to this Faith Article
This article is the ninth in a series that is unpacking some of the analysis work currently being undertaken to draw out the main teachings from the New Testament from a personal discipleship perspective. The previous articles can be found in the reference at Note [1] and focus upon the New Testament’s teaching that corresponds to the challenges of what we have called ‘Kingdom Fundamental 1 [KF1]’ - ‘Love God’, and ‘Kingdom Fundamental 2 [KF2]’ - ‘Follow Jesus’.
We have previously introduced that we consider that there are four Kingdom Practices under the invitation to Follow Jesus [KF2]:
Submit to Jesus’ Lordship - [KP3] (explored previously in Systematic Discipleship Parts 3 to 8 and considered further here)
Pursue Holiness - [KP4]
Live out kingdom values - [KP5]
Exercise discernment - [KP6].
In the previous article (Systematic Discipleship - Part 8) we explored New Testament teaching around what we have called Kingdom Action 10 [KA10] - (Walk / live by the Spirit not the flesh (in accordance with scripture)), and Kingdom Action 11 [KA11] - (Bear fruit for the kingdom) and the more detailed analysis that sits underneath them.
For completeness we remind regular readers that we have introduced eight Kingdom Actions under KP3 as follows:
Recognise that we all need a Saviour - Kingdom Action 5 [KA5]
Believe / have faith in Jesus / God - [KA6]
Count the cost of discipleship - [KA7]
Be born again / made a new creation in Christ (repent and be baptised) - [KA8]
Receive the benefits of the kingdom (forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, eternal life …) - [KA9]
Walk / live by the Spirit not the flesh (in accordance with scripture) - [KA10]
Bear fruit for the kingdom - [KA11]
Persevere in personal discipleship - [KA12].
In this Faith Article we will explore Kingdom Action 12 [KA12]. We have derived five sub-Themes under this heading:
Endure / persevere / remain steadfast / reach maturity in our faith - [KP12.1]
Avoid false righteousness / unrighteousness / legalism in our earthly life - [KP12.2]
Expect to be rewarded for persevering / being faithful / righteous / steadfast - [KP12.3]
Know that Jesus’ followers are / will be the bride of Christ - [KP12.4]
Do not deny God / Jesus / the Faith - [KP12.5].
The elements we will cover in this article are shown in light blue (encouragements) and pink (warnings) in Figure 1.
If readers take away nothing else from these articles than the sense, logic, and directive actions in the Figures - for disciples to put into practice in the strength God gives - we will hopefully have achieved our initial objective.
Figure 1 - New Testament Theme about the need to ‘Persevere in personal discipleship [KA12]’
Kingdom Action 12 [KA12] - Persevere in personal discipleship
Rather than drawing out explicit words and verse references under this main Theme heading they are presented within the five sub-Themes explained below.
Kingdom Action 12.1 [KA12.1] - Endure / persevere / remain steadfast / reach maturity in our faith
We have identified 26 Greek words [2] [3] that relate to the sentiments expressed in this sub-Theme. Some of them are outlined here:
Hupomenó (Strong’s 5278) which is defined as ‘to stay behind, to await, endure’ and translated in terms of one of three contexts ‘(a) I remain behind, (b) I stand my ground, show endurance, (c) I endure, bear up against, persevere’ [4]. It is found 17 times in the New Testament [5].
Teleios (5046) which means ‘having reached its end, complete, perfect’ and refers to being ‘perfect’ in three senses ‘(a) complete in all its parts, (b) full grown, of full age, (c) specially of the completeness of Christian character’. There are 19 instances in the New Testament.
Teleioó (5048) defined as ‘to bring to an end, to complete, perfect’ and this word has three contexts for translation into English ‘(a) as a course, a race, or the like: I complete, finish (b) as of time or prediction: I accomplish, (c) I make perfect; I am perfected’. There are 23 occurrences.
Telos (5056) which is ‘an end, a toll’ with four meanings ‘(a) an end, (b) event or issue, (c) the principal end, aim, purpose, (d) a tax. It appears 40 times.
Plérés (4134) meaning ‘full' and used to describe ‘full, abounding in, complete, completely occupied with’. 16 instances can be found.
Epiteleó (2005) which describes ‘to complete, accomplish’ and is translated from the Greek as ‘I complete, accomplish, perfect’. There are 10 places where it is used.
Krateó (2902) which is defined as ‘to be strong, rule’ and used to convey the sense that ‘I am strong, mighty, hence: I rule, am master, prevail; I obtain, take hold of; I hold, hold fast’. It appears 47 times.
Histémi (2476) representing ‘to make to stand, to stand’ with three interpretations in scripture ‘(a) I make to stand, place, set up, establish, appoint; mid: I place myself, stand, (b) I set in balance, weigh; (c) I stand, stand by, stand still; I stand ready, stand firm, am steadfast’ It occurs in 153 places.
Hupomoné (5281) meaning ‘a remaining behind, a patient enduring’ and used to express ‘endurance, steadfastness, patient waiting for’. There are 32 instances.
Verses that contain these words that support this Theme include the following:
Matthew 10:22 - You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm (5278) to the end (5056) will be saved [6].
Mark 13:13 - Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm (5278) to the end (5056) will be saved.
Acts 6:3 - Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full (4134) of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.
1 Corinthians 13:7 - It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (5278).
2 Corinthians 7:1 - Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting (2005) holiness out of reverence for God.
Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand (2476) against the devil’s schemes.
Philippians 3:12 - Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect (5048): but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus (King James Version).
Colossians 1:11 - being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance (5281) and patience.
Colossians 4:12 - Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm (2476) in all the will of God, mature (5046) and fully assured.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 - So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast (2902) to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
2 Timothy 2:12 - if we endure (5278), we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us.
Hebrews 4:14 - Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly (2902) to the faith we profess.
Hebrews 10:1 - The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect (5048) those who draw near to worship.
James 1:4 - But let patience (5281) have her perfect (5046) work, that ye may be perfect (5406) and entire, wanting nothing (King James Version).
James 1:12 - Blessed is the one who perseveres (5278) under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Revelation 2:26 - To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end (5056), I will give authority over the nations.
There are around 140 verse references where this Theme can be supported.
Kingdom Action 12.2 [KA12.2] - Avoid false righteousness / unrighteousness / legalism in our earthly life
There are 3 Greek words we have identified that have relevance in the context of this Theme:
Dikaios (1342) defined as ‘correct, righteous, by implication innocent’ and used to describe ‘just; especially, just in the eyes of God; righteous; the elect (a Jewish idea)’. It appears 80 times in the New Testament.
Dikaiosuné (1343) meaning ‘righteousness, justice’ and used in translations to reflect the following sense ‘(usually if not always in a Jewish atmosphere), justice, justness, righteousness, righteousness of which God is the source or author, but practically: a divine righteousness’. There are 92 appearances.
Dikaioó (1344) which means ‘to show to be righteous, declare righteous’ and used to describe ‘I make righteous, defend the cause of, plead for the righteousness (innocence) of, acquit, justify; hence: I regard as righteous’. There are 39 appearances.
Looking at some of the verses where these Greek words appear we can see how they support this Theme:
Matthew 23:28 - In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous (1342) but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Luke 10:29 - But he wanted to justify (1344) himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 16:15 - He said to them, "You are the ones who justify (1344) yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God's sight.
Luke 18:9 - To some who were confident of their own righteousness (1342) and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable.
Romans 3:10 - As it is written: “There is no one righteous (1342), not even one.
Romans 10:3 - Since they did not know the righteousness (1343) of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness (1343).
2 Corinthians 11:15 - It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness 1343). Their end will be what their actions deserve.
2 Peter 2:21 - It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness (1343), than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
We have identified 16 verses where these words occur that fit with this context.
Kingdom Action 12.3 [KA12.3] - Expect to be rewarded for persevering / being faithful / righteous / steadfast
In addition to using Dikaios (1342) and Dikaiosuné (1343) from above, there are several additional words that fit under this Theme around righteousness, perseverance, faithfulness, and reward:
Komizó (2865) meaning ‘to bear, carry’ and used to describe ‘(a) I convey, bring, carry, (b) I receive back, receive what has belonged to myself but has been lost, or else promised but kept back, or: I get what has come to be my own by earning, recover’. There are 10 occurrences in the New Testament.
Antapodidómi (467) describing ‘to give back as an equivalent, recompense’ and rendered as ‘I give in return, recompense’. It appears 7 times.
Emprosthen (1715) defined as ‘before, in front of (in place or time)’ and translated as ‘in front, before the face; sometimes made a subst. by the addition of the article: in front of, before the face of’. There are 48 places where this occurs.
Dikaiós (1346) which means ‘righteously, justly’ and used to translate text as ‘justly, righteously’. It is found 5 times.
Adikós (95) meaning ‘unjustly’ and translated as ‘unjustly, undeservedly’. There is only 1 occurrence.
Adikeó (91) representing ‘to do wrong, act wickedly’ and used to describe ‘I act unjustly towards, injure, harm’. There are 28 instances.
Adikos (94) which describes the sense of being ‘unjust, unrighteous’ and translated to express ‘unjust, unrighteous, wicked’. There are a dozen places where this word is found.
Here we set out some of the verses that illustrate the Theme:
Matthew 10:32 - "Whoever acknowledges me before (1715) others, I will also acknowledge before (1715) my Father in heaven.
Luke 14:14 - and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay (467) you, you will be repaid (467) at the resurrection of the righteous (1342).
Ephesians 6:8 - because you know that the Lord will reward (2865) each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
2 Timothy 4:8 - Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness (1343), which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Titus 2:12 - It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright (1346) and godly lives in this present age,
Hebrews 6:10 - God is not unjust (94); he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Hebrews 12:23 - to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous (1342) made perfect,
1 Peter 1:9 - for you are receiving (2865) the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 2:19 - For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust (95) suffering because they are conscious of God.
2 Peter 3:13 - But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness (1343) dwells.
Revelation 2:11 - Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt (91) at all by the second death.
Our analysis has identified 31 verse references that reflect instances of all the Greek words that we have associated with this Theme.
Kingdom Action 12.4 [KA12.4] - Know that Jesus’ followers are / will be the bride of Christ
For this Theme we have considered 4 Greek words that fit with this topic:
Harmozó (718) means ‘to fit, join, to join oneself to (in marriage)’ and translated in text as ‘I fit, join; (the middle indicating deep personal interest) I espouse, betroth; I take a wife, give in marriage’. It is only found once in the New Testament.
Parthenos (3933) which is defined as ‘a maiden, a virgin’ and used to describe ‘a maiden, virgin; extended to men who have not known women’. There are 15 instances.
Gamos (1062) which is ‘a wedding’ and used in the context of ‘a marriage, wedding, wedding-ceremony; a wedding-feast’. This appears 16 times.
Numphé (3565) meaning ‘a bride, a young woman’ and has two applications ‘(a) a bride, young wife, young woman, (b) a daughter-in-law. This word is found 8 times.
Verses which set out the support for this Theme, where these words appear, include:
Matthew 22:2-4 - The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet (1062) for his son. He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet (1062), but they refused to come. Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet (1062).’
2 Corinthians 11:2 - I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised (718) you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin (3933) to him.
Revelation 19:9 - Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding (1062) supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 21:2 - I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride (3565) beautifully dressed for her husband.
Revelation 22:17 - The Spirit and the bride (3565) say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
There are 17 verse references where these words are applicable from our analysis of this Theme.
Kingdom Action 12.5 [KA12.5] - Do not deny God / Jesus / the Faith
We have identified two Greek words that are relevant in the context of this Theme of denying God or Jesus:
Arneomai (720) which means ‘to deny, say no’ and translated in one of two senses ‘(a) I deny (a statement), (b) I repudiate (a person, or belief)’. It appears 33 times in the New Testament.
Aparneomai (533) defined as ‘to deny’ and used to describe the sense of ‘I deny, disown, repudiate (either another person or myself), disregard’. This word is found 11 times.
Some example scriptures are outlined below
Matthew 10:33 - But whoever disowns (720) me before others, I will disown (720) before my Father in heaven.
Matthew 26:70 - But he denied (720) it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”
Matthew 26:72 - He denied (720) it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
Luke 12:9 - But whoever disowns (720) me before others will be disowned (533) before the angels of God.
John 18:27 - Again Peter denied (720) it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
2 Timothy 2:12 - if we endure (5278 - see KA12.1 above), we will also reign with him. If we disown (720) him, he will also disown (720) us.
Titus 1:16 - They claim to know God, but by their actions they disown (720) him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
1 John 2:23 - No one who disowns (720) the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
In total, we have identified 25 verse instances where these words appear, supporting this Theme.
Summary
In this ninth Faith Article we have investigated some Greek words (presented in Louw and Nida’s [2] and Mounce’s [3] reference materials) and scriptures that can be used to support Kingdom Action 12 - ‘Persevere in personal discipleship’.
Just as with many English words, Greek words can have more than one meaning and consequently when translated into Biblical texts can be used to convey several different sentiments. Which is used is dependent upon the context.
Ultimately, this analysis and these groupings are subjective, as will be the inclusion (or exclusion) of many verses within each Theme and sub-Theme. We should note that some verses have a much stronger relevance to the derived Themes than others.
During this analysis, the aim has been to restrict the number of Themes that can be associated with any specific Greek word to eight or less - as any more implies poor analysis technique and the wrong heading choice / naming process.
In the next Faith Article, we shall begin to explore Kingdom Practice 4 - Pursue Holiness as part of our response to Following Jesus. As ever, the aim will be to try and make it informative, but manageable in terms of the time and effort needed to look at and understand each area.
Any constructive thoughts on this Article, the process being undertaken, and related constructive feedback are welcome.
Notes:
[1] - All previous Faith Articles focusing on the One Page New Testament can be found at this page: www.teachthemtoobey.co.uk/blog/
[2] - “Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, based upon Semantic Domains” Volumes 1 and 2 - Louw and Nida - Published by and © United Bible Societies - 1988
[3] - “Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” - © William D Mounce, 2006 - Published by Zondervan
[4] - biblehub - https://biblehub.com/greek/
[5] - The number of instances of specific Greek words can vary considerably depending upon the Greek manuscript(s) that is / are referenced by the data underpinning a particular program or website. For example, there can be differences in the number of instances of a Greek word depending upon whether your information source is, say: biblehub.com, blueletterbible.org, or Accordance Bible software. For example: the word Kurios (Lord) appears:
722 times according to biblehub
748 times in the Textus Receptus (TR) Greek for the blueletterbible
717 in the Morphological Greek New Testament (MGNT) in the blueletterbible
717 times for the Legacy Standard Version in Accordance
711 times for the ESV in Accordance.
In general, we have used the biblehub.com counts for the number of instances of the Greek words we are presenting. If there are major discrepancies with the other resources we are using we will try to highlight these explicitly.
[6] - Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM.
The Bible references presented are illustrative rather than aiming to be ‘proof texts’. They are examples only as there are, generally, many more we could look at. Please note that when looking at any Bible verse references, you should ideally consider more than one translation / respected version to get a more rounded view, and look at the wider context for each verse too. When Greek words are translated, Bible scholars do not always use the same English word every time it appears in the Greek. This is why it is useful to look at more than one Bible version.
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Reading the articles will take only a little time to study - more if we look up the Bible references - and probably a lifetime to work out in practice. Hopefully they will help make each of us ‘Become more like Jesus’!
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