The word hupomone occurs about 30 times in the New Testament, but is translated into English by a variety of different words, such as endurance, perseverance, steadfastness and patience. Peter tells us to ‘make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.’ (2 Pet 1: 5-7)
Perseverance and endurance are not particularly glamorous qualities, but are needed if we are to mature in Christ. One reason we shy away from them is that we tend to be able to learn them only through adversity: “Suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Romans 5:3-4) James tells us “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) Most of us shy away from suffering and try to avoid trials of any kind, but it’s only through the hard times that we learn to endure.
Nonetheless, endurance is not some Stoic attitude of grim resignation. Chrysostom, an early Church Father, says of hupomone that it is “the root of all goods, the mother of piety, the fruit that never withers, a fortress that is never taken, a harbour that knows no storms” and “the queen of virtues, the foundation of right actions, peace in war, calm in tempest, security in plots.” It is the courageous and triumphant ability to pass the breaking-point and not to break and always to greet the unseen with a cheer. It is the alchemy which transmutes tribulation into strength and glory.
If we feel God is asking too much of us in developing this quality in our lives, we need to remember that all good gifts actually come from God in the first place. We need to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12) All Scripture is given to teach us so that “through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) As we meditate on Jesus and on the heroes of the faith who learned perseverance, we can receive from God the strength and grace we need to persevere. Moreover, our God is one whose love endures for ever (a verse repeated 26 times in Psalm 136!), so He is able to carry us even through the trials and difficulties which are ‘light and momentary’ troubles in the light of the glory that He has in store for us (see 2 Cor 4.)