Greek Word Study | 5281: patient endurance (hupomone)

 A derivative of hupomeno (5278).

William Barclay writes, “The keynote of hupomone is not grim, bleak acceptance of trouble, but triumph.  It describes the spirit which can not only accept suffering but triumph over it.”  (William Barclay, The Daily Bible Study Series, 2 Cor 1:1-7.)

Lenski “Hupomone = the remaining under, brave, steady, holding out, perseverance.”  (Interpretation of 1 and 2 Corinthians, 2 Cor 1:6.)

Barnes’ Notes (2 Cor 1:6) says it means "patience in suffering.”

Barclay writes, “Chrysostom called hupomone ‘The Queen of the Virtues.’  In the Authorized Version it is usually translated patience; but patience is too passive a word.  Hupomone has always a background of courage.  Cicero defines patientia, its Latin equivalent, as: ‘The voluntary and daily suffering of hard and difficult things, for the sake of honor and usefulness.’  Didymus of Alexandria writes on the temper of Job:  ‘It is not that the righteous man must be without feeling, although he must patiently bear the things which afflict him; but it is true virtue when a man deeply feels the things he toils against, but nevertheless despises sorrows for the sake of God.’  Hupomone does not simply accept and endure; there is always a forward look in it.  It is said of Jesus, but the writer to the Hebrews, that for the joy that was set before him, he endured the Cross, despising the shame (Heb 12:2).  That is hupomone, Christian steadfastness.  It is the courageous acceptance of everything that life can do to us and the transmuting of even the worst event into another step on the upward way.”  (William Barclay, Daily Bible Study Series, 2 Peter 1:3-7.)