"Hypomenō" G5278 Word Study

Back in the first century, when our New Testament letters were being inspired, loads over land were sometimes carried by animals, such as donkeys. They would put a load saddle on the animal's back and then start putting various bags of whatever they were carrying. Some of the animals would start fidgeting, making noises, and otherwise registering complain about the adversity of the load growing heavier. However, some animals would just stand quietly, and endure the loading. These displayed what they called in Greek "hypomeno." They stood steady under the load.

In the New Testament, our word appears about 17 times. The compound word basically comes from "under" and "dwell or remain." So if the idea is to remain somewhere, our word is used, and if the idea is to endure or react appropriately to adversity, our word is also used.

In the New Testament, the word seems always to be in the "active" verb voice, thus referring usually to the subject doing the action, i.e. responding to the adversity.

In Luke 2:43 and Acts of the Apostles 17:14, the idea is to remain somewhere and so that concept and meaning seems clear.

Let's look at a few of the other times our word is used:

Matthew 10:22 NET
And you will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.​

Here some conclude we must sustain our salvation by enduring to the end, i.e a works sustained salvation. This is not the actual meaning of the verse. Recall 1 Peter 1:3-5 and how we are kept by the power of God through faith. I believe God protects our faith from which our capacity to endure adversity flows. Thus endurance to the end "proves" our salvation rather than "provides" our salvation.

Romans 12:12 NET
Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.​

Here again is the admonition to walk the talk, to live by faith, sticking with our love and devotion to Christ.

Hebrews 12:2 NASB
looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.​

Here we see our example of "hypomeno," Christ enduring the suffering and affliction of the cross, so when we pick up our cross and follow Christ, we have a high bar as far as standing steady under the load of Christ's ministry.