I received this verse from a friend of mine a few days ago from 2 Timothy 4: 3-5 (AMPC)
For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.
The word “tolerate” comes from the Greek word ἀνέχομαι (anéxomai). This is what “Bible Hub” says about the word; (from 303 /aná, "up/completing a process" and 2192/exō, "to have") – properly, "still bearing up," even after going through the needed sequence (course of action); to forbear; for the believer, "staying up" means living out the faith God works in.
The best definition might be the word “endure” which means to persevere through trials and troubles to arrive at a completed process or an end result. Jesus uses a similar word when telling His disciples about characteristics at the end of the age in Matthew 24:9-13 (ESV)
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
The word used in verse 13 is the Greek word ὑπομένω (hupomenó) – literally, remaining under (the load), bearing up (enduring); for the believer, this uniquely happens by God's power (cf. 1 Thes 3:5). See 5281 (hypomonē). As we compare ὑπομένω with ἀνέχομαι, though both similar in meaning, first word used in 2 Timothy shows the need for emotional and spiritual endurance in the face of demonic teachings that war against the true Gospel. To endure, one must be rooted and grounded in the Word of God. Studying and showing yourself approved by God. The second word in Matthew 24 speaks to enduring from outside circumstances.
When I think about the word “endure”, I think about “Team Hoyt”. Team Hoyt refers to father Dick Hoyt and his son Rick Hoyt (born January 10, 1962) from Holland, Massachusetts. Rick Hoyt was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth after his umbilical cord became twisted around his neck, which caused the blockage of oxygen flow. As a result, his brain could not properly control his muscles. Many doctors encouraged the Hoyts to institutionalize Rick, informing them that he would be nothing more than a "vegetable."[5] His parents held on to the fact that Rick's eyes would follow them around the room, giving them hope that he would somehow be able to communicate someday.[5] The Hoyts took Rick every week to Children's Hospital in Boston, where they met a doctor who encouraged the Hoyts to treat Rick like any other child. Rick's mother Judy spent hours each day teaching Rick the alphabet with sandpaper letters and posting signs on every object in the house. In a short amount of time, Rick learned the alphabet.
The Hoyts competed together in various athletic endeavors, including marathons and Ironman Triathlons. Rick has cerebral palsy. During competition, Dick pulled Rick in a special boat as they would swim, carried him in a special seat in the front of a bicycle, and pushed him in a special wheelchair as they ran. Team Hoyt were inducted to the Ironman Hall of Fame and were recipients of ESPN's Jimmy V Award. Through March 2016, the Hoyts had competed in 1,130 endurance events, including 72 marathons and six Ironman Triathlons. They had run the Boston Marathon 32 times. Also adding to their list of achievements, Dick and Rick biked and ran across the U.S. in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles (6,011 km) in 45 days. They also competed in triathlons. For the swim portion of a triathlon, Dick used a rope attached to his body to pull Rick sitting in a boat. For the cycle portion, Rick rode on the front of a specially designed tandem bike. For the run portion, Dick pushed Rick in his wheelchair. Dick passed into Jesus’ presence just over a year ago on March 17, 2021 at the age of 80. Their story is an amazing story of perseverance and endurance. We certainly seem to be in the final age, stress and anxiety will only increase. (Wiki-pedia)
Luke speaks of this in his gospel; Luke 21:25-26 (ESV)
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Jesus however, gives us a promise in Matthew 24:14. The one who endures, doesn’t fall away from the truth, perseveres in love to the completion of this age will be “Saved”; sṓzō (from sōs, "safe, rescued") – properly, deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions (safety).
The reason for endurance is two-fold. The first. Perseverence in trials results in spiritual maturity. Jesus’ brother James writes in James 1:2-4 (ESV)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
The second reason is given by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:18-19 (ESV).
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
I believe that next event of God’s agenda will a global spiritual awakening. This event will coincide with a revealing of the “sons of God” who have access to the glory of God on a level that has never been seen. Presently, we are in the day of preparation for this great event. I therefore encourage you to join me in perseverance through this time. Its will be so worth it in the end! We need to lean into the Grace of God and His favor to not just survive but also thrive. The best is yet to come!!