BE RESOLUTE AND YOU WIN

by Tammy Phillips
April 8, 2021

“Con vuestra paciencia ganaréis vuestras almas.” (Luke 21:19 RVR60)

I do not read or speak Spanish, either.  When I first read Luke 21:19, the treasure of this verse was hidden to me, just as if it was written in a foreign language.  I did not get it.  As I dug deeper into these words of Jesus recorded by Dr. Luke, I discovered the richness of this scripture. 

Meditate on: 

“In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19 KJV)
“By your patience possess your souls. (Luke 21:19 NKJV)

The word “in” is the Greek word en.  This is not a word that indicates direction.  This is preposition denoting a fixed position in place, time or state.  So, when we are in a fixed position in patience, we possess our souls?  We love the word patience, right?  What does it really mean?  “Patience” is from the Greek word hypomonē which means:

• Strong endurance
• Steadfast
• Constancy
• Enduring (cheerful and hopeful)
• Wait
• Abide
• Remain
• Stand
• Do not lose heart
• Bear Bravely (misfortunes, trouble, offense, or injury)

When we are in a fixed position in place or time, enduring, being steadfast, waiting, standing, not losing heart and bearing bravely, we possess our souls. 

Possess simply translated means to get, acquire, obtain, gain.

Look at the light shined on the uncomplicated words of Jesus in the below translations:

“By standing firm, you will win your souls.” (Luke 21:19 NLT)
“By your endurance you will gain your lives.” (Luke 21:19 ESV)
“Stand firm, and you will win life.” (Luke 21:19 NIV)

In Matthew 24:13 the same words of the Lord are declared just a little bit differently than Luke:

“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

If there was a Tammy’s International Version, Matthew 24:13 (TIV) would read:

“He who is resolute to the end will be whole, healed and complete!”

Further, Luke 21:1 in the TIV would read:

“BE RESOLUTE AND YOU WIN LIFE.”

I enCOURAGE you to dig deeper.   If you do not understand a verse in the Bible, look at different versions of the same verse.  Looking into the definitions of words.  You will find a treasure trove.  The Blue Letter Bible is an excellent tool to help you dig. (https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/jhn/10/1/t_conc_1007010) 

As I was growing up, I would ask my stepfather the definition of words.  He would make me so mad.  Instead of giving me what I asked for, he would ALWAYS tell me to go look it up.  I am passing on that advice.  If you don’t get it, go look it up.   In other words, be resolute and you win.  Endure and you will be saved and get your answer.  This works with words.  This works with life!