Most guys know that there are two ways to end a project or assignment. You can quit, or you can finish. And, in terms of our spiritual lives, recognizing the difference between the two means understanding what the Bible says about perseverance.
Every endeavor in life comes with challenges, and you’ve got a choice. You can throw in the towel and stay on the bench. Or you can persevere and get the job done. As you learn what the Bible says about perseverance, you can find strength to finish the job well.
What is perseverance?
Honestly, theologians have spent centuries trying to nail down what perseverance means in the Bible. And I’m a writer, not a theologian. So, I’m not going to presume to have all the answers to what has been a thorny question throughout church history.
But I will say this: in a nutshell, perseverance relates to never giving up. In some contexts, that means never turning away from your faith. Other times, it refers to how Christ followers deal with persecution and afflictions. But in every perseverance Bible verse you come across, finishing well is a common thread. That’s why it’s important to know what the Bible says about perseverance. Life starts out hard, and it doesn’t get any easier across time. Bad things do happen to good people. Grounding your faith in perseverance Bible verses empowers you to remain steadfast and to continue drawing closer to the God who loves you and saves you.
Verses About Perseverance
While it’s not a subject we might think much about, the Bible actually has a lot to say about perseverance. Because God created us to thrive in His care, He delivers great guidance on what it means to stick with the stuff in our walks with Him. Bible verses related to perseverance, like the fifteen listed below, encourage us to keep our focus on eternity, even when the pressures of this world scream for our attention.
“We also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope” – Romans 5:3-4
That word “endurance” can also be translated “perseverance.” So, when we look at what the Bible says about perseverance, we see it starts with suffering. That might sound discouraging, but we have to read the rest of the verses. It produces godly character and ends in hope!
“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” – James 1:12
When we’re experiencing trials, it’s easy to wonder if God knows and if God cares. This perseverance Bible verse assures us that God is aware of our struggles. And He has promised a reward for those who withstand the troubles. God is in control, and He will bless us in the end.
“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up” – Galatians 6:9
Remember what I said about the difference between quitting and finishing? This is a key perseverance Bible verse that draws a stark contrast between the two. As believers, we are called to keep serving God to the best of our ability. It’s easy to get tired and frustrated, but He urges us to keep going and never quit.
“Since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” – Hebrews 12:1-2
These verses give us two great reasons to persevere. First, we have a legacy of God’s people watching us and cheering for us. This “cloud of witnesses” is like a stadium filled with loyal fans who want nothing more than for us to succeed. But, even more important, the Bible says we should persevere because Jesus did. He set the example for us in suffering for our salvation, and we need to keep our eyes on Him as we face our own trials.
“But as for you, be strong; don’t give up, for your work has a reward” – 2 Chronicles 15:7
Judah’s King Asa was trying to do the right thing. He was working hard to lead his people back to the one true God. And the prophet Azariah gave him just the encouragement he needed. The Bible says that Azariah’s words added fuel to Asa’s fire, and the king set about the hard work of clearing all the false gods and idols out of the land. One thing the Bible says about perseverance is that it energizes us to fulfill God’s mission, even when it’s hard.
“If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us” – 2 Timothy 2:12
In your high school math class, you may have learned about “if/then” statements. Well, when you consider what the Bible says about perseverance, you realize it’s based on an important “if/then” statement, as well. On one hand, if you persevere in your faith, Christ will honor you. But if you don’t, you will face the consequences of denying the Savior.
“I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 3:13-14
Humanly speaking, the apostle Paul had a great spiritual resume. But he knew none of that mattered in the long run. That’s why he focused on perseverance. He chased after Jesus with a deep passion, and he refused to settle for second best. Even though it meant suffering, Paul sought a stronger relationship with Christ until the day he died.
“You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” – Matthew 10:22
Ever had someone ask if you wanted the good news or bad news first? Well, in this perseverance Bible verse, Jesus led with the bad news. People would hate His disciples because people hated Him. As the disciples followed Him and shared His message, their enemies would transfer their abuse of Him to them. But then He gave His followers the good news. The ones who demonstrate perseverance will be saved. It would be hard, but it would be worth it.
“I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” – Philippians 1:6
People will endure almost any trial or difficulty if they believe there is meaning and purpose on the other side. That’s what Paul was telling the Philippians. Even when things were dark, they could trust that God was in control and that He was at work in their lives. And He never leaves anything half done. He always finishes what He starts, which is a great reason to show perseverance in our lives.
“Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established” – Proverbs 4:25-26
One thing driving instructors emphasize is that your car will follow your eyes. If you turn your attention to the right or to the left for too long, the vehicle will naturally follow—often with bad results. This perseverance Bible verse reminds us that endurance works the same way. We can’t be distracted by what the world throws our way. Instead, we stay focused on God and His mission for our lives. If we do, we will persevere and experience His blessings.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” – Romans 8:18
When it comes to studying what the Bible says about perseverance, this is one of my favorite verses. Paul challenged the Romans to maintain a “future focus.” Were they suffering? Yes. Would they experience more suffering? Yes. But all the suffering they endured in this world would pale in comparison to the incredible glory of eternity. When we think about what perseverance means in the Bible, we have to remember that this world is not all there is.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” – 2 Timothy 4:7
Sometimes, athletes talk about leaving everything on the field. It’s their way of saying they did all they could do and have no regrets. That’s what this perseverance Bible verse indicates about Paul. As he neared the end of his life, he could say he had no regrets. He never stayed on the bench. He was going to finish the race well because he had persevered and “kept the faith.”
“Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good” – 1 Peter 4:19
One of these days, Jesus is coming back to make everything right. Because of that, we can persevere through every difficult time in our lives. Whether it’s persecution from people or a painful circumstance beyond our control, we can entrust ourselves to the God who is in control. We can keep doing what is good and leave the results up to Him and His timing.
“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” – Lamentations 3:22-23
Not long ago, I endured a difficult season physically. What started out as a relatively simple problem morphed into multiple issues. My body seemed to be fighting against itself, and I was worn out trying to keep up. Every day, it felt like a new problem was creeping up. But, thankfully, every day I found God’s mercies were new. That gave me the strength to endure. In some ways, I’m still struggling to heal, but I’m not struggling to persevere because I have a better grasp on God’s great faithfulness.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you” – Isaiah 43:2
The key to understanding what the Bible says about perseverance is understanding what it says about God. He is our strength and shield. He is our only hope. He is the one who keeps our head above water when the floods come and protects us from the flames that would incinerate our faith. Without Him, perseverance is impossible.
Keep Looking Up
You probably already realize this, but you’re human. That means you’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to fall and struggle to get back on your feet. You’re going to hit a wall and experience a season of brokenness. This side of heaven, you can’t escape your own humanity.
But, again, perseverance emphasizes a future focus. It challenges us to see everything here on earth through the eyes of eternity. That’s what gets us back on our feet and puts the broken pieces back together.
So, as you continue studying what the Bible says about perseverance, ask God to give you that eternal perspective. Keep looking toward Him. He takes every step on this journey with you, and He will never let you go!
