προσκαρτέρησις (proskarterēsis)
proskarterēsis
perseverance
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun proskarterēsis describes a steady, unyielding perseverance. It appears only once in the New Testament, found in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (6:18). Here it modifies prayers, urging believers to maintain constant attention and devotion rather than offering sporadic or casual requests.
Its root verb carries the sense of being pressed against something with strength. This imagery suggests an active, persistent engagement. The word does not imply passive waiting but rather a focused, energetic endurance in spiritual practice.
Translators typically render it as "steadfastness" or "perseverance." This choice highlights the quality of remaining fixed and determined. The term emphasizes that prayer is a disciplined habit requiring continuous effort and presence before God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word proskarterēsis paints a picture of leaning heavily against something with steady strength. In Ephesians, Paul uses it to describe how we should approach prayer—not as a casual check-in, but as a disciplined, persistent engagement with God. It suggests that spiritual vitality comes from remaining fixed and attentive, rather than drifting through our requests.
This kind of perseverance is not about exhausting yourself with endless words. Instead, it is about maintaining a posture of dependence on the Holy Spirit. When you feel weary or distracted, this word invites you to return to the practice of prayer with renewed focus. It reminds us that consistency in seeking God strengthens our spirit over time.
May you find comfort in knowing that God values your steady presence more than perfect phrasing. Let this truth encourage you to keep returning to Him, trusting that He hears and answers those who seek Him with a faithful heart.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- perseverance1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσκαρτερήσει1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 6:18
with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.
This verse uniquely applies the noun for perseverance specifically to the act of prayer, framing it as a disciplined spiritual posture rather than a spontaneous outburst.