I recently shared that I have had to persevere in my faith over the last 3–6 months. That post primarily focused on my experience through perseverance. This post will be the exegetical counterpart to that reflection. In this post, we will primarily look at Paul’s letter to the Philippians to explore what Scripture says about perseverance.

This post is not addressing the doctrine of “the perseverance of the saints.”

God Is At Work (Phil. 1:6)

An overarching principle we cannot forget is that perseverance requires faith. To persevere is “to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.”¹ To put it in my own words as it pertains to the Christian experience, perseverance is the state of continual forward momentum towards Christ when one’s circumstances lack the positive emotions that make forward progress easy or ‘light’.

In his opening lines to the Philippians, Paul says and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6, ESV). With a big-picture lens, we can see that God is bringing us through the journey of salvation, redemption, and fellowship.² He began the work, and He is the one who brings it to completion.

This should make us realize that a process is being carried out in our lives– a process that God governs.

At its core, perseverance includes the belief that God is working. Or, to say it another way, we have faith that God is working, and so we persevere.

Perseverance leads to joy (Phil. 1:12–18)

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Phil. 1:12–18

Preaching the gospel landed Paul in prison. But it was his perseverance as a Christian while imprisoned that advanced the gospel. Prisons in the ancient world often subjected people to “crude and dehumanizing” conditions.³ The Philippians were no strangers to this as Paul and Silas were bound in stocks in the Roman prison at Philippi (cf. Acts 16:23–24). Being imprisoned for Christ required perseverance, and Paul’s perseverance as a faithful witness to Christ resulted in the spreading of the gospel, which brought Paul joy.

Perseverance is done for the sake of the “other” (Phil. 1:18–20)

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Phil. 1:18–20

Paul continues to explain his reason for joy in response to the spreading of the gospel through the Philippian jail. His desire is not to be ashamed of his imprisonment because he wants to make sure Christ is honored through his life and/or death. For Paul, perseverance is honoring to Christ. He wants to persevere so that those who observe him think well of Christ. This peels his focus away from his circumstances and directs it towards another person’s perception and experience of Christ.

Additionally, Paul tells them For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Phil. 1:21). He goes on to say that remaining alive will result in more fruitful ministry that will benefit the Christians at Philippi. For Paul’s personal experience, it would be better to die and be with Christ (Phil. 1:23). However, he recognizes that continuing on in the flesh (Phil. 1:24) would be better for the Philippians. Paul’s perseverance benefits those he loves, so he knows that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith (Phil. 1:25).

Finally, perseverance reinforces community and anchors its culture on imitating Christ. Paul’s perseverance for the sake of the Philippians spurs them to persevere in their faith for the sake of Christ (Phil. 1:25–2:11). Christian perseverance is not a flex on who can endure the worst circumstances. It is about conforming to the conduct of Christ, who took on the form of humanity and persevered in faithfulness through death on the cross (Phil. 2:5–11).

To summarize this point, Philippians teaches us that persevering for the sake of others is:

1. To honor Christ so others can see the beauty of the gospel,
2. To benefit those we are serving,
3. To inspire others to participate in reciprocal perseverance that focusses the community’s eyes on Christ and conforming to His example.

Perseverance begins as obedience and evidences maturity (Phil. 1:27–30; 3:12–16)

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have…

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Phil. 1:27–30; 3:12–16

Paul says living a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ looks like standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents (Phil. 1:27–28a). Doing so is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God (Phil. 1:28b–c). 

Later on, he discusses how he continues to strive towards the goal of righteousness through faith in Christ (Phil. 3:1–11). Then, he explains that he has not obtained or perfected this righteousness, but he continues to persevere towards it because of Christ. This mindset, he says, should be adopted by those who are mature (Phil. 3:12–16).

Perseverance does not begin until our journey is characterized by difficult circumstances (those “counterinfluences”). Thus, moving forward into perseverance is a step of obedience to Christ (and requires faith!). However, the beauty is that faithful perseverance results in and displays maturity. Furthermore, this result evidences that God is indeed completing the work He began (cf. Phil. 1:6).

Perseverance is necessary for christians because creation is not yet in its redeemed state (Phil. 3:17–21)

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Phil. 3:17–21

This section is somewhat complex. It involves a couple concepts that Paul alludes to but does not directly explain in Philippians. In order to grasp what Paul means in Phil. 3:17–21, we need to string together a few concepts from other biblical passages.

You may ask: but if God is good, and He has saved us, then why is perseverance necessary?

It is because our salvation is not yet in its final state. The resurrection has not happened yet, and Christ has not yet come in final victory. God’s people will always need to persevere until that happens.

Here is the theological progression of thought:

Concept #1: The Goodness of Creation Marred By Sin

The Christian experience is not a life lived in a state of bliss that is disconnected from the state of evil around it.

No, the Christian experience is to live a life that is characterized by the process of God redeeming us towards the day of Christ– the final day of redemption.

We must understand what creation is and what our lives are like within it as Christians:

• Creation is good.
• But its goodness is marred by sin.

God created in six days and rested on the seventh. During the six days of creation, God assessed the work of His hands as “good” seven times (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). He might be the only artist in history to be fully satisfied by the work of His hands. The only time God described creation as “not good” was not actually pertaining to what He had made but instead pertained to the man’s circumstance of being unique in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:18).⁴

Even after the Fall of humanity, God does not rescind His description of creation as “good.” Instead, He implements a plan to redeem it (because it’s good, and He loves it).

Creation is good, and that goodness is marred by the curse of sin. Those redeemed out of that curse (Christians) experience a form of life that is distinct because they are reconnected to the source of that goodness (God Himself).

This experience is both already available and simultaneously not yet fully implemented. Thus, living in our marred-but-being-redeemed world means we will have seasons where we feel the marred effects more than the redeemed effects.

Concept #2: Being Redeemed For The Day Of Christ Jesus

Paul alludes to an interesting idea multiple times in Philippians: that believers in Christ are somehow still awaiting the work of Christ.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6). 

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20)

Even more interesting is that Paul doesn’t take time in Philippians to explain what he means.

While there are deep theological truths within Philippians, the letter is primarily for the purpose of rejoicing in Paul’s fellowship with the church at Philippi. The letter has a relational tone, and Paul is more concerned with exhorting his audience than he is in explaining doctrine. Instead of explaining what he means by the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6), he draws on the common understanding that his audience has– because he was the one who taught them!

Fortunately for us, Paul has explained what he means in his letter to the Ephesians.

Concept #2 Continued: The Day of Jesus Christ

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Ephesians 1:7–10

Ephesians 1:7–10 explains the purpose of human salvation from God’s perspective within His overarching plan of redeeming creation. God’s plan of offering salvation to humanity through Christ Jesus is part of His plan to unite all things in him [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth, and the timeframe for this plan is for the fulness of time (Eph. 1:7–10, quotation from v.10, ESV).

Our salvation is part of God’s plan to redeem creation, and that plan is set to continue unfolding until the fullness of time when God unites everything in Christ.

In the meantime, God has sealed believers in Christ with the Holy Spirit as a downpayment of the inheritance we will receive in full on the day of Jesus Christ (cf. Eph. 1:11–14).

Thus, Christians already live in a reality of redemption (because the price for redemption has been paid), but that reality is not yet fully implemented– and it won’t be until its inauguration date on the day of Jesus Christ at the fulness of time. This means that the Christian experience of being connected to the life of God while still living with the overarching circumstances of sin is and will be the Christian experience until either the fullness of time or we pass through death.

You know what this means don’t you?

It means perseverance is essential to life in Christ.

Back To Philippians 3:17–21

This is why Paul exhorts the Philippian Christians to imitate him and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us as we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:17, 20, ESV). Paul understands that it is imperative for his Christian readers to persevere in their faith for the duration of their lives because the reality of God’s redemptive plan calls for it. God has begun the work of redeeming creation; human salvation is part of that plan; redemption is implemented over the course of time until Christ’s final victory.

We must embrace the fact that we need to persevere. The hope of Christianity is the redemption and restoration of creation, and our response to that hope is perseverance through faith.

Perseverance brings peace (Phil. 4:4–7)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 4:4–7

Paul gives his final exhortation in chapter 4. In a letter that exhibits joyful perseverance, Paul reminds the church at Philippi to rejoice and persevere (shocking, right?!). He says do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Phil. 4:6). This isn’t an instruction to forget the difficulties of living in a world that is already redeemed but not yet in its state of redemption. It’s not a command to exude ‘toxic positivity’. Instead, it builds upon the mindset of maturity that aims for the righteousness of Christ Jesus through faith, which is lived out in perseverance (cf. Phil. 3). The fact that Paul instructs the Philippians to bring their requests to God assumes they have requests in the first place. Requests indicate a gap between what is currently experienced and what one longs to experience. Rejoicing in the Lord despite the presence of sin, making your requests known to God from a heart of faith, practicing whatever is true, honorable, just, commendable, and excellent requires perseverance. And the followthrough of such perseverance results in the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus… the God of peace will be with you (Phil. 4:7, 9).

Conclusion

Perseverance is essential for faithful Christianity because it embodies our hope in God through Christ. On a simple level, we persevere because God is working in our lives. But our reasons for persevering expand and deepen as we learn more about God’s work. We rejoice when we witness the fruitfulness of God’s work through our perseverance; in turn, we desire to persevere for the sake of Christ, others, and our community of believers; over time, we realize that our perseverance is itself evidence that we follow Christ; through continual growth towards Christ, we learn that our salvation is part of God’s larger redemptive plan, and the implementation of His plan makes our perseverance necessary; finally, we realize perseverance– not the absence of difficulties and counterinfluences– brings us peace.

When viewed together, all of these present a beautiful and appealing picture of Christian perseverance.

Happy Bibleing!

Footnotes

1. Merriam-Webster, s.v. “Persevere,” accessed June 10, 2025, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persevere. ↩︎
2. It is likely that Paul’s primary focus is on the Philippians’ partnership with him in ministry. D.A. Carson points out that this partnership is predicated on the Philippians’ salvation in Christ. Thus, the ‘good work’ of the Philippians partnering with Paul flows from their salvation. See D.A. Carson, The Letter to the Philippians, Pillar New Testament Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009), 50. ↩︎
3. Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995), s.v. Prison. ↩︎
4. As Victor Hamilton says, “Interestingly, it is God who determines that it is not good for man to be alone (2:18–25). There is no indication that Adam himself was dissatisfied with his circumstances.” See Victor P. Hamilton, “Genesis,” in Evangelical Commentary on the Bible, 3:7–37, Baker Reference Library, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1995), 13. ↩︎