What Does Luke 21:19 Mean in the King James?
In your patience possess ye your souls.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word translated “patience” means remaining under pressure, while “possess” means acquiring, so the living soul is gained through staying.
THE MEANING
Endurance is not a pause before life begins; it is the staying through which you come to possess your living soul. The promise reaches beyond bodily safety: the verse names life as something gained even under threat.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that life is possessed only while the body remains physically untouched.
THE ROOT
ὑπομονή
hypomonē
GROWS FROM
μένω
menō
to remain, stay
Ὑπομονή (hypomonē, endurance) carries the sense of remaining under pressure. “Patience” here is not merely calm waiting: it is the staying through which the living soul is possessed.
ALSO GROWS
hypomenō: remain under; endure
ὑπομένω
This verb makes the root’s movement visible: endurance is remaining where pressure is present.
monē: dwelling; place to remain
μονή
The related word for a dwelling carries the same idea of staying, giving endurance the shape of a lasting presence.
κτήσεσθε
ktēsesthe
GROWS FROM
κτα-
kta-
to acquire, gain
“possess” in this verse is ktēsesthe. The verb means “you will acquire” or “gain,” not simply “keep hold of.” Its object is ψυχάς (psychas), from ψυχή (psychē, living soul): the verse speaks of gaining the living soul through endurance.
ALSO GROWS
ktēsis: acquisition; possession
κτῆσις
This noun confirms the sense of coming into possession, rather than merely protecting what is already held.
ktēma: possession; property
κτῆμα
This branch gives the verb’s idea a concrete shape: what is gained becomes something possessed.
THE PATTERN
Life is received and held through endurance in the face of what presses against it.
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.THE THREAD
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;Both verses use ὑπομονή (hypomonē, endurance) for remaining through pressure. Luke names the living soul this staying gains; Romans names tribulation as what brings that endurance forth.
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