The term "stedfastly" is derived from the concept of being firm, unwavering, and resolute in purpose or belief. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to the steadfastness of faith, commitment to God's commandments, and perseverance in the face of trials. The Berean Standard Bible provides several instances where this concept is illustrated, emphasizing the importance of remaining constant in one's spiritual journey.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 2:42 : "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Here, the early Christians are described as being stedfast in their commitment to the teachings of the apostles, fellowship, and communal worship. This steadfastness was foundational to the growth and unity of the early Church.

2. 1 Corinthians 15:58 : "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be stedfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to remain stedfast and immovable, encouraging them to continue their work for the Lord with the assurance that their efforts are meaningful and valued by God.

3. Colossians 1:23 : "if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant." Paul emphasizes the necessity of remaining stedfast in faith, highlighting the importance of being grounded in the hope of the gospel.

4. Hebrews 3:14 : "We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first." This passage underscores the need for believers to maintain their initial confidence in Christ stedfastly until the end, as a testament to their genuine participation in the life of Christ.

Theological Significance:

Stedfastness is a virtue that reflects the character of God Himself, who is described as unchanging and faithful. Believers are called to emulate this divine attribute by remaining faithful to God's promises and commands. Stedfastness is not merely a passive state but involves active perseverance and dedication to living out one's faith in daily life.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, stedfastness involves a commitment to spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. It requires a conscious effort to resist the temptations and distractions of the world, maintaining focus on the eternal promises of God. Stedfastness is also demonstrated through enduring trials and suffering with patience and hope, trusting in God's ultimate plan and purpose.

Examples from Scripture:

· Job's Perseverance: The account of Job is a profound example of stedfastness in the face of immense suffering. Despite losing everything, Job remained faithful to God, exemplifying unwavering trust and integrity.

· Daniel's Resolve: Daniel's refusal to compromise his faith, even when faced with the threat of death, illustrates stedfastness. His commitment to prayer and adherence to God's laws, despite external pressures, serves as a model for believers.

Conclusion:

Stedfastness is a crucial aspect of the Christian life, reflecting a deep-rooted faith and unwavering commitment to God. It is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the believer's reliance on God's strength and faithfulness.816. atenizo -- to look fixedly, gaze
... intently (2), looking intently (2). stare, fasten eyes, look stedfastly.
From a compound of a (as a particle of union) and teino ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/816.htm - 7k

4741. sterizo -- to make fast, establish
... stereos); to set fast, ie (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction,
or (figuratively) to confirm -- fix, (e-)stablish, stedfastly set, strengthen. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4741.htm - 7k

7760. sum -- to put, place, set
... name, X on, ordain, order, + paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), + regard,
rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, + stedfastly, take, X tell ...
/hebrew/7760.htm - 7k

553. amets -- to be stout, strong, bold, alert
... A primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage) --
confirm, be courageous (of good courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger ...
/hebrew/553.htm - 6k

That Charity and Brotherly Affection are to be Religiously and ...
... Third Book. 3. That charity and brotherly affection are to be religiously and
stedfastly practised. In Malachi: "Hath not one God created us? ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/3 that charity and brotherly.htm

Men as Trees
... walking. Then again He laid His hands upon his eyes; and he looked stedfastly,
and was restored, and saw all things clearly. And ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 8 22-26 men as trees.htm

The Cross as a Social Principle
... And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received
up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem."Luke 9:51. ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter xi the cross as.htm

Questions About the Lord's Supper
... People who "repent truly of their former sins, and stedfastly purpose to lead a
new life,""people who "have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, and ...
/.../chapter xx questions about the.htm

Noah's Justice
... high when that ark was begun had grown into mighty forest-timber; and men had
multiplied and spread, and yet Noah built and built on stedfastly, believing that ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon x noahs justice.htm

His Last Week
... GOING UP TO JERUSALEM. And it came to pass when the days were well nigh come that
Jesus should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/his last week.htm

The Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby
... one, and that there never may be wanting a Church composed of believers, the foundation
of which is laid in the blood of christ; which may stedfastly love and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the death of christ and.htm

First Part.
... Hee that shall stedfastly view it, shall finde it not to bee a degree or intension
of love, or any single affection (as the Schooles rather confined then ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/first part.htm

Jesus Christ in his Incarnation and Work a More Imitable Example ...
... This were a small matter, if He had not had in His company even His own
betrayer, and stedfastly abstained from pointing him out. ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter iii jesus christ in his.htm

Some Wickedly Act Independently of the Bishop.
... Now such persons seem to me to be not possessed of a good conscience, seeing they
are not stedfastly gathered together according to the commandment. ...
/.../chapter iv some wickedly act independently.htm

Stedfastly (23 Occurrences)
...Stedfastly (23 Occurrences). Mark 8:25 Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes;
and he looked stedfastly, and was restored, and saw all things clearly. (ASV) ...
/s/stedfastly.htm - 12k

Israelites (468 Occurrences)
... 3:7 and if the ministration of the death, in letters, engraved in stones, came in
glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look stedfastly to the ...
/i/israelites.htm - 35k

Countenance (67 Occurrences)
... ziw). To settle one's countenance stedfastly upon a person (2 Kings
8:11) is synonymous with staring or gazing at a person. Not ...
/c/countenance.htm - 30k

Stedfastness (17 Occurrences)

/s/stedfastness.htm - 12k

James (40 Occurrences)
... Shortly after the Transfiguration, when Jesus, having "stedfastly set his face to
go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51), was passing through Samaria, the ire of James ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) Alt. of Stedfastly. Multi-Version Concordance
Stedfast (84 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 1:8 who will ...
/s/stedfast.htm - 30k

Vail (44 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children
of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished ...
/v/vail.htm - 22k

Useless (47 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 3:13 and 'are' not as Moses, who was putting a vail upon his own face,
for the sons of Israel not stedfastly to look to the end of that which is ...
/u/useless.htm - 19k

Granted (102 Occurrences)
... you that if any one shall say to this mountain, 'Remove, and hurl thyself into the
sea,' and has no doubt about it in his heart, but stedfastly believes that ...
/g/granted.htm - 35k

Well-nigh (5 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he
should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, (ASV). ...
/w/well-nigh.htm - 7k

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