Patience is a virtue. Trite and tired, right? Nevertheless, it is true, patience is one of the virtues of the Christian life. There are two kinds of patience mentioned in the New Testament: longsuffering and patience; and there are two different words used: μακροθυμια (longsuffering) and υπομονη (patience). I use the King James and this is how they are translated. The King James has a way with words - longsuffering is a beautifully descriptive word (kind of like that Old Testament word, lovingkindness). I suppose other versions use words like “patience” and “endurance”, but I prefer longsuffering.
As I mentioned, there are two different words used for patience. John Chrysostom (349 – 407), Archbishop of Constantinople and a native Greek speaker, described the distinction: “that a man μακροθυμια, who having power to avenge himself, yet refrains from the exercise of this power; while he υπομονη, who having no choice but to bear, and only the alternative of a patient or impatient bearing, has grace to choose the former. Thus the faithful would commonly be called to exercise the former grace among themselves, the latter in their commerce with those that were without.”
R.C. Trench, in his Synonyms of the New Testament, wrote: “We may proceed now to distinguish between these; and this distinction, I believe, will hold good wherever the words occur; namely, that μακροθυμια will be found to express patience in respect of persons, υπομονη in respect of things. The man μακροθυμια, who, having to do with injurious person does not suffer himself easily to be provoked by them, or to blaze up into anger. The man υπομονη who, under a great siege of trials, bears up, and does not lose heart or courage. While both graces are ascribed to the saints, only μακροθυμια is an attribute of God.”
Here are a few of the passages with longsuffering in bold (14x as a noun; 9x as a verb)
Matthew 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Aren’t we glad that this is one of the attributes of God? I am!
1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Longsuffering flows from love. A heart full of love has a long fuse.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
This is an important verse, longsuffering is the fruit of the Spirit. It’s not me gritting my teeth and biting my tongue, it is the very life of the Spirit manifested in me.
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
All longsuffering with joyfulness! How am I ever to arrive at this point? When I am strengthened with His might and power. Supernatural living.
Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
This is interesting. Longsuffering is the fruit of the Spirit, and God works it in me by his might and power, and yet I am told to put it on, like a beautiful garment. Pray for the fruit of the Spirit, trust God for his power, then put it on and step out in faith.
1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Paul is an example for us of the longsuffering of Christ toward us. Thank you, Jesus!
2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
People can be frustrating - the servant of the Lord must be gentle and longsuffering.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Preach with longsuffering. They didn’t get it the first time? Or 5th time? Bear with them and keep going.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
The longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. Amen! Thank you Lord that you put up with me that you may save me!
I have to be fair and admit that Hebrews and James use this word a little differently, more like patience, see Hebrews 6:12, 15; James 5:7,8,10. Even here the emphasis is on being patient for a long time.
This is really exciting.
First, God is longsuffering toward us. The longsuffering of the Lord is salvation. Honestly, it can’t get any better than that.
Second, longsuffering is the fruit of the Spirit, something God produces in me. I need to pray for this grace. It is also the outflow of love. Oh God, fill my heart with your love.
Third, Paul tells us, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Hey, living with people can be trying. Do I just sit back and wait for God to zap me with longsuffering? No. Pray for the fruit of the Spirit and the love of God, trust Him for His power, then by faith put it on like a beautiful garment, and be longsuffering.
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