Understanding Standing

Understanding Standing

Have you ever considered the many ways we use the word stand? Stand up, stand down, stand out, stand for, stand against, stand on…. With all these English meanings and uses of stand, how can we know what stand means in the Bible? My hope is that understanding standing will help us to stand firm. Let’s explore this together.

There are at least 8 Hebrew words translated as stand in the Old Testament. As I explored them, I found that most of the Hebrew words can be used interchangeably. The most common Hebrew words for stand are quwm and amad. Quwm usually carries the idea of abiding, enduring, or standing still. Amad means to remain or stay as in standing by, on, beside or with something or someone.

Stand Firm in Hebrew

Old Testament verses that use the phrase “stand firm” rarely use either of these common words for stand. For example, in ESV, Exodus 4:13 says,

“And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.

The Hebrew word for stand firm here – yatsab. In this context, the Israelites had just fled Egypt. Backed up against the Red Sea, the Egyptian army closed in on them. They didn’t have much option but to stand firm, as they didn’t have anywhere to go. But what I find interesting is that part of their standing firm was not fearing. I hope that if we’re ever backed into a corner by an antagonistic government, that we will not be afraid, so that we can stand firm and see the Lord deliver us.

Next, we have the Hebrew word, aman, which translates to stand firm in the account of 2 Chronicles 20:1-20. The armies of the surrounding nations declared war on King Jehoshaphat. Terrified, he begged the Lord for guidance (2 Chron 20:1-3). Then he gathered all the people and prayed in front of them. The Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men who declared that the battle would be God’s. They didn’t need to be discouraged.  The next morning, the king boldly led the army out. In verse 20, Jehoshaphat stopped and said,

“Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

This verse reminds me of another important piece of standing firm – believing in God and His word. I pray that we will know Scripture and know the God of Scripture so that when we’re confronted with what seems like a no-win situation, we will stand firm.

Stand Firm in Greek

Moving on to the New Testament, I only found 4 Greek words translated as stand in English. Much to my surprise, all four of them conveyed the idea of standing firm at least once.

Greek steko conveys this idea in 1 Cor 16:13, Gal 5:1, Phil 1:27, Phil 4:1, 1 Thes 3:8, and 2 Thes 2:15. In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul warned about the coming antichrist. God will send those who refuse to love the truth a powerful deception. Paul concludes this topic with this exhortation.

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

How important it is to hold to Christian traditions in a world that is increasingly anti-Christian! I want to be one who absolutely loves the truth of God’s word. One who clings to it that I may stand firm in the coming days of worldwide delusion.

Greek histemi also translates as stand firm in New Testament verses such as 2 Cor 1:24, Eph 6:11 & 13, Col 4:12, and 1 Pet 5:12. Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the full armor of God. Why should we clothe ourselves with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith and more? So that we will stand firm. Paul repeats histemi three times in this passage. This Greek word means to abide, continue, covenant and establish. During the last days, it will be so important for us to abide in Christ and with each other. To continue established in our faith. But the idea of covenanting impresses me. I want to be one who covenants with God, my family, and those in my sphere of influence to stand firm in the days of trouble.

1 Peter 5:8-9 uses another stand firm – the Greek word stereos.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Our enemy is already seeking to devour us. If we want to stand firm, we must be aware of the enemy and alert for his tricks. We must be sober-minded, attentive and watchful. We must resist. But another way to stand firm is to consider our persecuted brothers and sisters around the globe.

The final Greek word that I found for stand firm is emmeno. In Acts 14:22, Paul and Barnabas encouraged the believers to continue in the faith – to stand firm. Why? Because “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” We may want to avoid the struggles, but the Word says we MUST go through them. A final way to stand firm is to accept God’s plan for us to endure tribulations.

I hope that by understanding “standing” biblically, that we are all able to endure the struggles that are increasing on the earth. I pray that we will stand firm in Jesus Christ.

Lisa Gallington

Lisa Gallington has been studying the Word since she was 12 years old, with a special interest in end times prophecy. She has a passion for preparing the Church and everyone she comes in contact with for the return of Christ. She leads women’s ministry at her church and teaches a Bible study, often connecting the studies to end times prophecies and prophetic headlines. She has authored several books including End Times Preppers Devotionals and the accompanying End Times Preppers Bible Study and Foundation of Faith: Hebrews 11.