Hold fast (occupy, restrain, possess) (2722) katecho

Hold fast (2722) (katecho from katá = intensifies meaning + écho = have, hold) means to retain whether by avoiding the relinquishing of something. It was used literally of holding one to keep them from going (as in Luke 4:42). Katecho was used figuratively with the idea of restraining or keeping someone (Antichrist) from exercising power (see 2Thes 2:6-7). A closely related figurative use of katecho means to hold down or suppress as the ungodly do to the truth about God (see note Romans 1:18). One NT use of katecho means to take over or occupy, to have a place as one’s own or to take into one’s possession. (see Lk 14:9). In the passive sense, katecho describes one as being bound by the law (see note Romans 7:6) Katecho as used here in 1Corinthians 15:2 (see discussion below re Hebrews 3:6, 14) means to adhere firmly to traditions, convictions, or beliefs. Note that our salvation is kept by Christ’s holding us fast, not primarily by our holding Him fast. Our holding onto Him is evidence that He is holding onto us. Jesus used katecho with a this same meaning in the gospel of Luke declaring... Luke 8:15 And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast (present tense - refers to their continual attitude toward the word), and bear fruit (present tense - refers to their continual productivity) with perseverance (see study of hupomone). (Comment: The seed is the Word of God as revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They not only received this precious word but they allowed the word of God to perform its word in those who believed and were thereby molded into conformity with the image of Christ. They were teachable and obedient, developing true Christian character and producing genuine fruit of good works for the glory of their Father. Their spiritual fruit is clear evidence of their spiritual life. In short, this group manifested evidence of authentic salvation. J Vernon McGee writes "These are the hearers who are genuinely converted by the Word of God." In this parable of the soils, Jesus point was that His disciples would sow much seed, but that they should not be distressed by seemingly poor results including cases of apparent salvation which were in reality nothing but an outward emotional experience as evidenced by the fact that they did not hold fast the word and bear fruit.) Katecho is used 17 times in the NT (including Lk 8:15)... Luke 4:42 And when day came, He departed and went to a lonely place; and the multitudes were searching for Him, and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from going away from them. Luke 14:9 and he who invited you both shall come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. Acts 27:40 And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders, and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach. Romans 1:18 (note) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, Romans 7:6 (note) But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. 1 Corinthians 7:30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything, and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 1 Corinthians 15:2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. 1Thessalonians 5:21 (note) But examine everything carefully; hold fast (present imperative) to that which is good; 2 Thessalonians 2:6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Philemon 1:13 whom I wished to keep with me, that in your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; Hebrews 3:6 (note) but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if (f indeed, if only, on condition that) we hold fast (First plural singular, aorist, active, subjunctive) our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. Hebrews 3:14 (note) For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast (First plural singular, aorist, active, subjunctive) the beginning of our assurance firm until the end; Hebrews 10:23 (note) Let us hold fast (present tense) the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful Katecho is used about 41 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (22.13" class="scriptRef">Gen. 22:13; 24:56; 39:20; 42:19; Ex 32:13; Jos. 1:11; Jdg. 13:15f; 19:4; Ruth 1:13; 2 Sam. 1:9; 2:21; 4:10; 6:6; 1 Ki. 1:51; 2:28f; 2 Ki 12:12; 1 Chr. 13:9; 2 Chr. 15:8; Neh. 3:4f; Job 15:24; 23:9; 27:17; 34:14; Ps. 69:36; 73:12; 119:53; 139:10; Prov. 18:22; 19:15; Song 3:8; Isa 40:22; Jer. 6:24; 13:21; 30:6; 50:16; Ezek 33:24; Dan. 7:18, 22) Genesis 22:13 Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught (Lxx = katecho) in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. Psalm 139:10 Even there Thy hand will lead me, and Thy right hand will lay hold (Lxx = katecho) of me. Daniel 7:18 'But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess (Lxx = katecho) the kingdom (see Millennial Kingdom) forever, for all ages to come.' Katecho gives a beautiful picture from its use by Luke who invokes katecho as a nautical term meaning to steer toward or land at writing... casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders, and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for (katecho) the beach. (Acts 27:40) (Comment: More literally rendered they were “holding fast their course toward beach") Barclay commenting on hold fast writes that the gospel is... something to which a man has to hold tenaciously. Life makes many an attempt to take away our faith. Things happen to us and to others which baffle our understanding; life has its problems to which there seems no solution and its questions to which there seems no answer; life has its dark places where there seems to be nothing to do but hold on. Faith is always a victory, the victory of the soul which tenaciously maintains its clutch on God. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press or Logos) (Comment: John writes "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith." 1John 5:4) The writer of Hebrews agrees writing that... Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast (katecho - present tense = speaks of our habitual practice) our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. (see note Hebrews 3:6) Comment: "If" (in contrast to the if in 1Cor 15:2) in Hebrews 3:6 is a third class conditional statement which reflects uncertainty or doubt. In other words a person proves they are truly God's "house" if they do not desert He Who Alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Although there are some who do not believe in the perseverance of the saints, verses such as Hebrews 3:6 clearly teach that steadfast faith marks the elect of God and that persistence and hope characterize the genuine members of God's family. One of the greatest of all American theologians, Jonathan Edwards, once said that the sure proof of election is that one holds out to the end. We can tell if we are really the house of God because we stay there. The one who falls away never belonged in the first place. He is not saying you "become the house of God by holding fast" but if you are the house of God you will hold fast. If you do not hold fast you are not the house of God! He is telling us the end result of our salvation...perseverance to the end. FF Bruce writes "Nowhere in the New Testament more than here do we find such repeated insistence on the fact that continuance in the Christian life is the test of reality. By the grace of God we need to each keep our rudders firmly in hand and our faces fixed like flint toward Jerusalem so that our vessels are "headed for the beach" of God's Eternal Kingdom. Remember we are not home yet! Remember that we can neither save ourselves nor keep ourselves saved. In the present verse, the meaning of hold fast is simply that continuance is the proof of reality. This is John's point in his first epistle where he writes that... They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us. (1John 2:19). This theme on perseverance of the true saint is woven throughout the New Testament. Jesus warned His disciples... you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. (Matthew 10:22) (Comment: The Disciple's Study Bible writes that "Patient endurance of persecution and suffering to complete the missionary task marks the elect and shows they have eternal salvation.") There are some who teach that in this previous verse Jesus was not associating genuine belief with perseverance. For example, one evangelical author, Thomas Constable, commenting on Jesus' warning in Matthew 10:22 writes that this verse does not say that all genuine believers will inevitably persevere in their faith and good works. Rather it says that those who do during the Tribulation can expect God to deliver them at its end. Jesus was not speaking about eternal salvation but temporal deliverance. Temporal deliverance depended on faithful perseverance. (Thomas Constable) (Bolding added) (Ed note: In a similar manner Constable does not interpret Hebrews 3:6 as a reference to the perseverance of the saints.) Others such as John MacArthur commenting on this same verse explain that... Endurance does not produce or protect salvation, which is totally the work of God’s grace. But endurance is evidence of salvation, proof that a person is truly redeemed and a child of God. (MacArthur, J. Matthew 8-15, Matthew 16-23, Matthew 24-28 or Logos) (Bolding added) C H Spurgeon in his sermon Enduring to the End on (Matthew 10:22) writes that... Perseverance Is The Badge Of True Saints. It is their Scriptural mark. How am I to know a Christian? By his words? Well, to some degree, words betray the man; but a man’s speech is not always the copy of his heart, for with smooth language many are able to deceive. What doth our Lord say? “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” But how am I to know a man’s fruits? By watching him one day? I may, perhaps, form a guess of his character by being with him for a single hour, but I could not confidently pronounce upon a man’s true state even by being with him for a week. George Whitfield was asked what he thought of a certain person’s character. “I have never lived with him,” was his very proper answer. If we take the run of a man’s life, say for ten, twenty, or thirty years, and, if by carefully watching, we see that he brings forth the fruits of grace through the Holy Spirit, our conclusion may be drawn very safely. As the truly magnetized needle in the compass, with many deflections, yet does really and naturally point to the pole; so, if I can see that despite infirmities, my friend sincerely and constantly aims at holiness, then I may conclude with something like certainty, that he is a child of God. Although works do not justify a man before God, they do justify a luau’s profession before his fellows. I cannot tell whether you are justified in calling yourself a Christian except by your works; by your works, therefore, as James saith, shall ye be justified. You cannot by your words convince me that you are a Christian, much less by your experience, which I cannot see but must take on trust from you; but your actions will, unless you be an unmitigated hypocrite, speak the truth, and speak the truth loudly too. If your course is as the shining light which shineth more unto the perfect day, I know that yours is the path of the just. All other conclusions are only the judgment of charity such as we are bound to exercise; but this is as far as man can get it, the judgment of certainty when a man’s life has been consistent through out... A simple faith brings the soul to Christ, Christ keeps the faith alive; that faith enables the believer to persevere, and so he enters heaven. May that be you." (Click for entire sermon) (Bolding added) William MacDonald commenting on Hebrews 3:6 adds that... At first this might seem to imply that our salvation is dependent on our holding fast. In that case, salvation would be by our endurance rather than by Christ’s finished work on the cross. The true meaning is that we prove we are God’s house if we hold fast. Endurance is a proof of reality. Those who lose confidence in Christ and in His promises and return to rituals and ceremonies show that they were never born again. It is against such apostasy that the following warning is directed. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos) J Vernon McGee comments that... Paul had a way of using “ifs,” not as a condition but as a method of argument and of logic. We would understand him better if he had said, “Since we hold fast the confidence.” In other words, if we are sons of God and if we are partakers of the heavenly calling, we will be faithful and we will hold fast. This is the proof that we are of God’s house." (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos) (Bolding added) Believer's Study Bible writes that... perseverance in the Christian life is the test of whether one’s Christian commitment is genuine. (Criswell, W A. Believer's Study Bible: New King James Version. 1991. Thomas Nelson) S Lewis Johnson has some interesting comments writing that... Now the Christian, who has believed in the security of the believer, has always been troubled by the "If's of the Bible". I have heard, from very noble men, attempts to eliminate the "Ifs" of the Bible, but we can't do it. Whose house are we IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. You ARE in God's house IF YOU HOLD FAST. You ARE NOT in God's house IF you don't hold fast. What he is saying is simply this: continuance in the house of God, that is, continuance in the faith, is the proof of the reality of our faith. If we continue, we have surely believed. If we do not continue, then we have not truly believed.... I want to tell you that I have been a Christian for over 25 years and I have had the privilege of preaching to a lot of people. I have preached the word for over 20 years in North Dallas. Through the years I have seen some fall away for the pleasure of this world which choke the seed, and they fall by the wayside. And I have seen the seed fall on "good ground" and the fruit coming as 30 fold, 60 fold and 100 fold. Our Lord explains that some seed falls on rocky ground and, springing up, they wither and fall away, apostatize. (cf Luke 8:13-14) They seem to be the reality. They seem to have responded, but there was no perseverance to the end. Our author says, "whose house we are IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. "I am grateful for that "if" because I have been buffeted a good bit in my Christian life, and will surely be buffeted in the future, but I know that in the final analysis that if I have eternal life within me, I have assurance that He will preserve me. He will hold me because I belong to Him." (Bolding added) Donald Barnhouse once illustrated this principle of perseverance by asking... remember the child’s toy that’s a big vinyl doll with a heavy round weight of sand in the bottom? You punch it, it bounces right up again. Punch it again and it comes back to the upright position. Similarly those Christians in the early church kept bouncing back. The life of a saint is the evidence of a new life in the saint. Someone has quipped that they have always believed that God has permitted the cults to come along to draw out of the churches those who are not really believers. The cults serve as God’s strainer. The proof that you are a child of God is that you hold to the faith. If the Corinthian saints hold their course in life steadfastly along the lines of their present profession, that would show that they were saved. If they veered away from that course, that would show that they never had been saved, but that their profession of faith in the Gospel had been, not one of the heart but of the head. Their perseverance would not save them but would demonstrate that they were truly saved. You can have truth and even speak truth and still be lost as Jesus taught about scribes and Pharisees declaring... therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them. (Matthew 23:3)

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Hold fast (occupy, restrain, possess) (2722) katecho

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