Perseverance in a World of Unrighteousness and Sin
The concept of perseverance in a world marked by unrighteousness and sin addresses how believers maintain their faith and conduct amidst pervasive evil. Biblical texts frequently acknowledge the reality of sin and unrighteousness in the world [1, 2, 3]. For instance, 1 John 5:17 states, "All unrighteousness is sin," while Isaiah 13:11 speaks of God punishing "the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity" [1, 3]. The Psalms also reflect on the inherent sinfulness of humanity, noting that "All human beings are born sinners" [6].
Different theological traditions offer varying perspectives on how believers persevere. The doctrine of the "perseverance of the saints," often associated with Reformed theology, posits that those who are justified and regenerated cannot totally or finally fall away from grace [4]. This view holds that believers will certainly continue in their state of grace and attain everlasting life, supported by passages such as John 10:28-29 and 1 Peter 1:5 [4]. This perseverance is seen as flowing from the immutability of divine decrees and the provisions of the covenant of grace [4]. John Calvin, a key figure in Reformed thought, described original sin as a complete corruption of all parts of the soul, requiring a complete reformation through the Spirit [8].
Other traditions emphasize the human role in maintaining faith and resisting sin. Patristic writers like Clement of Rome urged believers to "continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ," and to imitate His patience [13]. John Chrysostom acknowledged that while Christ promised tribulation in the world, those who are turned away by terrors do so not from the nature of temptation itself, but from their own "remissness" [14]. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as articulated by John of Damascus, also speaks to the ongoing struggle against sin [11].
The Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion address "Original or Birth-sin," acknowledging its pervasive nature [12]. Similarly, the Lutheran Augsburg Confession also discusses original sin [9]. Thomas Aquinas, representing Scholastic Catholic thought, explained original sin as a single, inherited condition from the first parent, affecting all humanity [7].
The Bible itself provides encouragement for perseverance. Revelation 3:10 speaks of being kept "out of the hour of trial" for those who have kept "the word of endurance" [5]. This "word of endurance" is interpreted as the Gospel message that teaches patient endurance in expectation of Christ's return [15]. The struggle against sin is a continuous one, where the godly fight against their sinful nature, even though all are born sinners [6]. The Jewish tradition, as seen in Targum Jonathan, also emphasizes the importance of not sinning and continuing to pray [10].
Sources
- 1 John “All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. -- 1 John 5:17”
- I John “I John 5:17 (Webster) — All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not to death.”
- Isaiah “I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will humble the haughtiness of the terrible. -- Isaiah 13:11”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Perseverance of the saints — Their certain continuance in a state of grace. Once justified and regenerated, the believer can neither totally nor finally fall away from grace, but will certainly persevere therein and attain everlasting life. This doctrine is clearly taught in these passages, John 10:28, 29; Rom. 11:29; Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:5. It, moreover, follows from a consideration of (1) the immutability of the divine decrees (Jer. 31:3; Matt. 24:22-24; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:30); (2) the provisions of the covenant of grace (Jer. 32:40; John 10:29; 17:2-6); (3) the ato”
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 3:10 (Rotherham) — Because thou didst keep my word of endurance, I also, will keep thee out of the hour of trial, which is about to come upon the whole habitable world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundae), Of Original Sin, As to Its Essence, Art. 2: Article: Whether there are several original sins in one man? I answer that, In one man there is one original sin. Two reasons may be assigned for this. The first is on the part of the cause of original sin. For it has been stated (Question [81], Article [2]), that the first sin alone of our first parent was transmitted to his posterity. Wherefore in one man original sin is one in number; and in all men, it is one in proportion, i.e. in relation to its first principle. The seco”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 37: a description of original sin; The same thing appears more clearly from the mode of renovation. For the spirit, which is contrasted with the old man, and the flesh, denotes not only the grace by which the sensual or inferior part of the soul is corrected, but includes a complete reformation of all its parts ( Eph. 4:23 ). And, accordingly, Paul enjoins not only that gross appetites be suppressed, but that we be renewed in the spirit of our mind ( Eph. 4:23 ), as he elsewhere tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind ( ”
- Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), Article II. Of Original Sin.: Article II. Of Original Sin.”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on I Samuel 12:23: As for me, far be it from me that I should sin before the LORD and cease to pray concerning you. But I will teach you the way, that you may be in the right and the proper way.”
- CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 105: 9:5 9:5 9:5 9:19 9:21 9:21 10:4 10:4 10:6-9 10:13-21 10:17 11:8 11:25-27 11:28 11:32 11:33-36 11:36 11:36 11:36 12:3 12:13 15:10 15:12 16:25-27 1 Corinthians 1:9 1:10 1:17-25 1:20 1:20-25 1:23 1:23 1:23-24 1:24 1:24 1:24 1:27 1:27 2:2 2:7-8 2:8 2:8 2:8 2:10-11 2:11 2:12 2:12 2:14-15 3:8 3:8 3:16 3:17 3:19 7:2 7:25 7:31 8 8:5 8:6 8:6 8:6 8:6 8:6 8:7 10:1 10:17 10:31 11:2 11:24-26 11:29 11:31-32 12:3 12:3 12:3 12:3 12:4-7 12:4-11 12:5-6 12:5-6 12:8 12:8 12:8-10 12:11 12:12 12:24 13:10 14:32 14:37 15:3-4 15:16-17 15:20 15:2”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), 9.Of Original or Birth-sin.: 9.Of Original or Birth-sin.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. VIII.--PERSEVERE IN HOPE AND PATIENCE.: Let us then continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, "who bore our sins in His own body on the tree,"(3) "who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth,"(4) but endured all things for us, that we might live in Him.(5) Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer(6) for His name's sake, let us glorify Him.(7) For He has set us this example s in Himself, and we have believed that such is the c”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: a good report, said to His disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ( John xvi. 33 .) What then, they will say, Have not many been turned to flight by these terrors? Yes, but that was not of the nature of temptation, but of their own remissness. But He that “with the temptation maketh also an escape, so that ye may be able to bear it” ( 1 Cor. x. 13 ), may He stand by all of us, and reach forth His hand, that being gloriously proclaimed victorious we may attain to the everlasting crowns, th”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 3:10: patience--"endurance." "The word of My endurance" is My Gospel word, which teaches patient endurance in expectation of my coming (Rev 1:9). My endurance is the endurance which I require, and which I practice. Christ Himself now endures, patiently waiting until the usurper be cast out, and all "His enemies be made His footstool." So, too, His Church, for the joy before her of sharing His coming kingdom, endures patiently. Hence, in Rev 3:11, follows, "Behold, I come quickly." I also--The reward is in kind: "because thou didst keep," &c. "I also (o”