📖 Biblical Definition
Steadfastness is the Spirit-wrought firmness of soul that does not waver under pressure, drift in seasons of ease, or quit under prolonged trial. Paul closes 1 Corinthians with it: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). It is the fruit of being "rooted and grounded" in Christ (Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 2:7) and of feeding daily on His Word. Steadfastness is not natural temperament; some men are constitutionally restless, and they too can be made steadfast by grace. The faithful Christian is not the most gifted or eloquent — he is the one still there in twenty years.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
STEADFASTNESS, n. Firmness of mind or purpose; firm adherence to what one has engaged in; resolution.
expand to see more
1. Firmness of mind or purpose; firmness of resolution; constancy. 2. Firm adherence to what one has engaged in; stability. 3. In Scripture, that quality of soul which holds fast to faith, hope, and love through every season, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:58 — "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…"
Colossians 1:23 — "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel…"
1 Peter 5:9 — "Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren…"
2 Peter 3:17 — "…beware lest ye also… fall from your own stedfastness."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Mistaken for stubbornness or temperament rather than Spirit-grown stability.
expand to see more
Some saints are calm by temperament and assume they are steadfast; others are restless and assume they cannot be. Both confuse personality with grace. Steadfastness is not a born trait; it is a grown fruit.
True steadfastness is rooted—deep enough to weather drought, bound enough to resist drift. It is built sermon by sermon, prayer by prayer, obedience by obedience, until the soul is settled and abounding, immovable in the work of the Lord.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek hedraios and stereos — seated firmly, solid.
expand to see more
G1476 — hedraios — seated, settled, steadfast
G4731 — stereos — solid, firm, steadfast
G277 — ametakinētos — unmoveable, immovable
Usage
"Steadfastness is not temperament; it is fruit."
"The settled soul abounds; the drifting soul evaporates."
"Resist the devil steadfast in the faith—not steadfast in your nerves."