Constant; Constantly
The Biblical Vocabulary of Steadfastness
The English words "constant" and "constantly" appear in older Bible translations like the King James Version to render several different Hebrew and Greek words. While modern translations typically use words like "firm," "confident," or "steadfast," the underlying concepts remain central to biblical teaching. The idea of constancy, being unwavering and reliable, is woven throughout Scripture's portrayal of both God's character and the expected response of His people.
Key Biblical Passages
In 1 Chronicles 28:7, David charges Solomon to be "constant" in keeping God's commandments. The Hebrew word here conveys the idea of being strong and resolute. David was passing the kingdom to his son along with the responsibility of building the temple, and he urged Solomon to hold firm in obedience. This charge echoes God's own words to Joshua: "Be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1:7).
In Proverbs 21:28, the KJV states that "the man that heareth speaketh constantly," meaning that a person who listens carefully speaks with enduring authority, in contrast to a false witness who will perish. Modern translations render this as speaking "with finality" or "so as to endure."
In Acts 12:15, when Rhoda announced that Peter was at the gate after his miraculous release from prison, the gathered believers said she was mad, but she "constantly affirmed" (KJV) that it was so. Here the Greek word means she kept insisting or asserting confidently. The same word appears in Titus 3:8, where Paul instructs Titus to "affirm constantly" (KJV) or "insist on" (modern translations) the truths of the faith.
God's Constancy as the Foundation
The call for human constancy in Scripture rests on the prior reality of God's own unchanging faithfulness. "The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works" (Psalm 145:13). James 1:17 describes God as the one with whom "there is no variation or shadow due to change." Human steadfastness is always a response to divine reliability.
The constancy of God's character gives believers the foundation for their own persistence. Because God does not waver in His promises, His people can stand firm in faith, prayer, and obedience.
Constancy in the Christian Life
The New Testament repeatedly calls believers to constancy in various forms. Paul urged the Corinthians to be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). The early church devoted themselves "constantly" to prayer, fellowship, breaking of bread, and the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42). This kind of persistent faithfulness characterizes mature discipleship.
The Enduring Relevance
Though the word "constant" has largely been replaced in modern translations, the concept it represents remains essential. Scripture consistently teaches that faith is not a momentary decision but a lifelong posture of firm trust and obedient perseverance. Whether the word used is "constant," "steadfast," or "firm," the call is the same: to hold fast to God and His truth without wavering (Hebrews 10:23).
Biblical Context
The words "constant" and "constantly" appear in the KJV in passages including 1 Chronicles 28:7 (David's charge to Solomon), Proverbs 21:28 (reliable speech), Acts 12:15 (Rhoda's insistence about Peter), and Titus 3:8 (Paul's instruction to affirm sound doctrine). Each usage conveys firmness or confident persistence.
Theological Significance
Biblical constancy reflects both God's unchanging faithfulness and the call for believers to respond with unwavering commitment. Human steadfastness is grounded in divine reliability. The concept connects to broader themes of perseverance, faithfulness, and the enduring nature of God's truth.
Historical Background
The English word "constant" carried stronger connotations of firmness and resolve in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries than it does today. The KJV translators used it to render Hebrew words meaning "strong" or "firm" and Greek words meaning "to assert confidently." Modern translations have largely replaced it with words that better convey these meanings to contemporary readers.