### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb `{{G5297}}` (ὑποφέρω, *hypophérō*) is a compound word formed from `{{G5259}}` (ὑπό, *hypó*), meaning "under" or "from underneath," and `{{G5342}}` (φέρω, *phérō*), meaning "to bear" or "to carry." Literally, it conveys the sense of "to bear from underneath," implying the act of supporting a weight or burden. Figuratively, and more commonly in its New Testament usage, `{{G5297}}` signifies "to undergo hardship," "to endure," or "to bear up under" difficult circumstances. The prefix `{{G5259}}` emphasizes the pressure or weight that is being borne, highlighting the resilience or suffering involved in the act of enduring. It is distinct from merely carrying, as it denotes the specific posture of being *under* a load or trial and successfully sustaining it.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{G5297}}` appears in the New Testament in two significant contexts, both of which underscore the theme of enduring hardship with divine enablement or deliverance:
1. **[[1 Corinthians 10:13]]**: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can *bear* [ὑποφέρω], but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it."
* Here, `{{G5297}}` is used in the context of temptation (`{{G3986}}`, *peirasmos*). The promise is that God will not permit believers to be tested beyond their capacity to *bear up under* the trial. The focus is on God's faithfulness in limiting the intensity of the temptation and providing a means of escape, enabling the believer to `{{G5297}}`. This highlights divine sovereignty over human trials and the believer's divinely-assisted ability to endure.
2. **[[2 Timothy 3:11]]**: "persecutions, sufferings—what kind of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I *endured* [ὑποφέρω]. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them."
* In this passage, Paul recounts his personal experiences of severe persecution (`{{G1375}}`, *diōgmos*) and suffering (`{{G3804}}`, *pathēma*). The verb `{{G5297}}` describes his active endurance of these intense trials. The context emphasizes the reality of suffering for those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus, but also the Lord's faithful deliverance from these hardships. Paul's endurance serves as an example for Timothy, demonstrating that faith does not exempt one from suffering but empowers one to `{{G5297}}`, trusting in God's ultimate rescue.
In both instances, `{{G5297}}` describes the act of bearing up under external pressure—whether temptation or persecution—and implies a successful, divinely-supported perseverance through the trial.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of endurance and suffering is rich in the New Testament, and `{{G5297}}` intersects with several related terms and theological ideas:
* **`{{G5278}}` (ὑπομονή, *hypomonē*)**: This noun, often translated "endurance," "steadfastness," or "perseverance," is closely related to `{{G5297}}`. While `{{G5297}}` describes the *act* of bearing up under a burden, `{{G5278}}` describes the *quality* or *virtue* of remaining steadfast despite trials. One who `{{G5297}}` demonstrates `{{G5278}}`.
* **`{{G430}}` (ἀνέχομαι, *anechomai*)**: "to bear with," "to endure," "to put up with." This term often implies a degree of tolerance or patience in enduring something unpleasant or difficult, sometimes in relation to people.
* **`{{G3958}}` (πάσχω, *paschō*)**: "to suffer," "to experience." This is a broader term for experiencing pain, hardship, or affliction, without necessarily implying the active *bearing* of a burden as `{{G5297}}` does.
* **`{{G2553}}` (κακοπαθέω, *kakopatheō*)**: "to suffer hardship," "to endure affliction." This verb is very close in meaning to `{{G5297}}` and is also used by Paul in 2 Timothy (e.g., [[2 Timothy 2:3]], [[2 Timothy 4:5]]) to describe the endurance required for faithful ministry.
* **`{{G941}}` (βαστάζω, *bastazō*)**: "to carry," "to bear." This is a more general term for carrying a physical or metaphorical burden, lacking the specific nuance of being *underneath* the burden that `{{G5297}}` conveys.
Theological concepts closely linked to `{{G5297}}` include patience, steadfastness, resilience, suffering for Christ's sake, and the divine enablement that allows believers to persevere through trials.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{G5297}}` is profound, illuminating aspects of God's character, the nature of the Christian life, and the purpose of suffering:
1. **God's Faithfulness and Sovereignty**: `{{G5297}}` in [[1 Corinthians 10:13]] powerfully underscores God's unwavering faithfulness. He is not a distant observer but actively limits the extent of trials, ensuring that believers are never tempted beyond what they can *bear* with His help. This highlights divine control over adverse circumstances and provides immense comfort and assurance.
2. **The Reality of Christian Suffering**: As seen in [[2 Timothy 3:11]], `{{G5297}}` affirms that suffering and persecution are an expected part of the Christian walk, particularly for those committed to living godly lives. It is not a sign of God's disapproval but often a path through which faith is refined and proven.
3. **Divine Empowerment for Endurance**: The ability to `{{G5297}}` is not presented as purely human strength but as a divinely enabled capacity. Whether it's God providing a "way of escape" in temptation or delivering from persecution, the ultimate strength to endure comes from Him. This transforms suffering from a crushing burden into an opportunity to experience God's sustaining grace.
4. **Witness and Testimony**: Paul's account in [[2 Timothy 3:11]] shows that enduring hardship for the Gospel's sake becomes a powerful testimony. His ability to `{{G5297}}` in the face of severe persecution served as an example for Timothy and for all believers, demonstrating the reality of God's presence and power even in the darkest moments.
5. **Spiritual Growth and Maturity**: The process of enduring trials (to `{{G5297}}`) is often instrumental in developing spiritual maturity, perseverance, and character, as articulated in passages like [[Romans 5:3-5]] and [[James 1:2-4]].
### Summary
The Greek verb `{{G5297}}` (ὑποφέρω, *hypophérō*) literally means "to bear from underneath" and figuratively, "to undergo hardship" or "to endure." Its two New Testament occurrences, in [[1 Corinthians 10:13]] and [[2 Timothy 3:11]], are pivotal. In 1 Corinthians, it assures believers that God will not allow temptation beyond what they can `{{G5297}}`, emphasizing His faithfulness and provision of escape. In 2 Timothy, it describes Paul's active endurance of severe persecutions, highlighting the reality of suffering for Christ and God's ultimate deliverance. The word thus speaks to the believer's capacity to bear up under trials, a capacity that is divinely enabled and sustained. `{{G5297}}` underscores the theological truths of God's sovereign control over trials, the inevitability of suffering in the Christian life, and the profound spiritual strength and testimony that emerge from enduring hardship with faith. It is a term that encapsulates the steadfast resilience required of the believer, empowered by the unfailing grace of God.
TRV