G5297 ὑποφέρω (hypophérō)

Bears up (5297) (hupophero from hupo = under + phero = bear) means to continue to bear up (from underneath), to endure, to sustain, to put up with, to underpin (to form part of, strengthen, or replace the foundation of as of a sagging building) despite difficulty and suffering. The principle is that we are able to get under a heavy load and carry it. The present tense indicates that bearing up under is this man's lifestyle, the attitude and the habitual practice of this person. Inherent in the meaning of hupophero is the picture of a plant which is crushed down and trampled upon, yet keeps rising back up again. This critical character quality is one of the primary factors which will determine whether or not we finish God's course for our lives (notes on Hebrew 12:1; 12:2). One man put it like this: Who walks with God must take His way Across far distances and gray To goals that others do not see, where others do not care to be Who walks with God must have no fear When danger and defeat appear Nor stop when every hope seems gone For God, our God, moves on." Hupophero is used only two other places in the NT. Paul reminds the Corinthian saints that if they think they stand, then they need to take heed lest they fall and that this will be made possible because No temptation (means simply to test or prove with no negative connotation. Whether it becomes a proof of righteousness or an inducement to sin depends on our response - If we resist it in God’s power, it is a test that proves our faithfulness. If we do not resist, it becomes a solicitation to sin) has overtaken you but such as is common to man (that which is human, characteristic of or belonging to mankind); and God is faithful (remains true to His own), who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able ( No believer can claim that he was overwhelmed by temptation or that “the devil made me do it.” No temptation is inherently stronger than our spiritual resources. People sin because they want to sin), but with the temptation will provide the (specific) way of escape also (not by getting out of it but by passing through it = for every trial God prepares the way through), that you may be able to endure (hupophero) it. (1Corinthians 10:13-note) A period of temptation and testing may be compared with a ship approaching a rocky shore and facing inevitable shipwreck. But, suddenly and, to the inexperienced landsman, unexpectedly, it slips through a gap on the inhospitable coast into security and peace and is thus being enabled to endure certain disaster. Paul's third use of hupophero is in his testimony to Timothy concerning his persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured (hupophero), and out of them all the Lord delivered me!" (2Ti 3:11-note) The Lord had not delivered from trouble, but He had delivered him out of the troubles. This is a reminder to us that we are not promised freedom from difficulties, but we are promised that the Lord will be go through the trial with us and He is faithful to see us through and to show us the way of escape that we might be able to bear up under the trial. Sorrows (3077) (lupe) is grief, trouble, sad plight or condition. It can refer physically to pain, suffering or distress or mentally or spiritually to sorrow, grief, sadness or anxiety. Kittel adds that Physically lupe can denote any pain, though esp. that caused by hunger or thirst, by heat or cold or by sickness... Spiritually lupe is sorrow, pain or anxiety at misfortune or death, or anger at annoyances or hurts, esp. insults and outrages. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Grief is deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement (the state of being deprived or robbed of the possession or use of something). In the present context lupe summarizes all the difficulties a person experiences because of undeserved suffering.