King James Bible Dictionary

General references
1 Chronicles 16:11; Job 17:9; Psalms 37:24; Psalms 37:28; Psalms 73:24; Psalms 138:8; Proverbs 4:18; Jeremiah 32:40; Hosea 12:6; Matthew 24:13; Matthew 10:22; Mark 13:13; Mark 4:3-8; Luke 10:42; Luke 22:31-32; John 6:37; John 6:39-40; John 8:31-32; John 10:28-29; John 15:4-5; John 15:7; John 15:9; Acts 11:23; Acts 13:43; Acts 14:21-22; Romans 2:6-7; Romans 8:30; Romans 8:33-35; Romans 8:37-39; Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 2 Corinthians 5:9; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Galatians 5:1; Galatians 5:10; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 4:14; Ephesians 6:13; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 3:16; Philippians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; Colossians 1:22-23; Colossians 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Timothy 1:12-13; 2 Timothy 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:3; 2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Timothy 3:14; 2 Timothy 4:18; Titus 1:9; Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 3:5-6; Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 6:11-12; Hebrews 6:15; Hebrews 6:17-18; Hebrews 10:23; Hebrews 10:35-36; Hebrews 12:1-13; Hebrews 12:15; Hebrews 13:9; Hebrews 13:13; James 1:4; James 1:12; James 1:25; James 5:10-11; 1 Peter 1:4-7; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 1:10-11; 2 Peter 3:17-18; 1 John 2:19; 1 John 2:27; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:10-11; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:25-28; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 3:11-12; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 21:7-8; Revelation 22:11
Character; Instability; Stability

Instances of:

Jacob, in prayer
Genesis 32:24-26

Caleb and Joshua, in representing the land of promise
Numbers 14:24; Numbers 14:38

PERSEVE'RANCE, noun [Latin perseverantia. See Persevere.]

1. Persistence in any thing undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business or enterprise begun; applied alike to good or evil.

Perseverance keeps honor bright.

Patience and perseverance overcome the greatest difficulties.

2. In theology, continuance in a state of grace to a state of glory; sometimes called final perseverance

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; Romans 11:29; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5. It, moreover, follows from a consideration of (1) the immutability of the divine decrees (Jeremiah 31:3; Matthew 24:22-24; Acts 13:48; Romans 8:30); (2) the provisions of the covenant of grace (Jeremiah 32:40; John 10:29; 17:2-6); (3) the atonement and intercession of Christ (Isaiah 53:6, 11; Matthew 20:28; 1 Peter 2:24; John 11:42; 17:11, 15, 20; Romans 8:34); and (4) the indwelling of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14; 1 John 3:9).

This doctrine is not inconsistent with the truth that the believer may nevertheless fall into grievous sin, and continue therein for some time. (See BACKSLIDE.)