Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:Long-suffering, often synonymous with patience, is a virtue that denotes enduring hardship, provocation, or delay with a calm and forgiving spirit. It is a quality attributed to God and is encouraged among believers as a reflection of divine character. The term is derived from the Greek word "makrothumia," which combines "makros" (long) and "thumos" (temper), suggesting a prolonged restraint of anger.
Biblical References:1.
God's Long-suffering Nature: The Bible frequently highlights God's long-suffering nature as an aspect of His mercy and grace. In
Exodus 34:6, God describes Himself to Moses as "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth." This self-revelation underscores God's patience with humanity despite their repeated transgressions.
2.
Long-suffering in the New Testament: The New Testament continues to emphasize God's patience. In
2 Peter 3:9, it is written, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." This passage illustrates God's desire for all to attain salvation, showcasing His enduring patience.
3.
The Fruit of the Spirit: Long-suffering is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in
Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Here, patience is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's life, enabling them to bear with others in love.
4.
Exhortations to Believers: Believers are exhorted to embody long-suffering in their interactions with others.
Colossians 3:12-13 instructs, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This passage calls Christians to reflect God's patience in their relationships.
5.
The Example of Christ: Jesus Christ exemplified long-suffering throughout His earthly ministry. Despite facing rejection, misunderstanding, and suffering, He remained patient and forgiving. In
1 Timothy 1:16, Paul speaks of Christ's patience: "But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life."
Theological Significance:Long-suffering is integral to the Christian understanding of sanctification and spiritual maturity. It is a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to endure trials and extend grace to others. This virtue is not merely passive endurance but an active expression of love and forgiveness, mirroring the character of God.
Practical Application:Christians are encouraged to cultivate long-suffering in their daily lives, particularly in a world marked by impatience and quick tempers. This involves a conscious decision to respond to adversity with grace, to forgive offenses, and to wait on God's timing. By doing so, believers testify to the hope and peace found in Christ, serving as witnesses to His enduring love.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Bearing injuries or provocation for a long time; patient; not easily provoked.
2. (n.) Long patience of offense.
Greek
3115. makrothumia -- patience,long-suffering... 253). Word Origin from makros and thumos Definition patience,
long-
suffering NASB Word Usage patience (14).
longsuffering, patience.
...3114. makrothumeo -- to persevere, to be patient
... 3114 ("showing divinely-directed patience") is "longsuffering" because it only
expresses anger (ie is the opposite of being "quick-tempered"). See 3115 ()....
3116. makrothumos -- with forbearance, patiently
... Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: makrothumos Phonetic Spelling:
(mak-roth-oo-moce') Short Definition: patiently Definition: withlongsuffering,...
Strong's Hebrew
639. aph -- a nostril, nose, face, anger... angry, before, countenance, face, forbearing, forehead,
longsuffering, nose
... before,
countenance, face, + forebearing, forehead, + (
long-)
suffering, nose, nostril
...750. arek -- long
...longsuffering patient, slow to anger. From 'arak; long --long(-suffering, -winged),
patient, slow (to anger). see HEBREW 'arak. 749, 750. arek. 751 ....
Library
TheLong-Suffering, Loving-Kindness, and Tender-Mercies of God....
... TheLong-suffering, Loving-kindness, and Tender-mercies of God."Ps. ciii.... The
Long-suffering, Loving-kindness, and Tender-mercies of God."Psalm 103.p>....
Whether Patience is the Same as Longanimity? [*Longsuffering. It...
... OF PATIENCE (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether patience is the same as longanimity?
[*Longsuffering. It is necessary to preserve the Latin...
God'sLong-Suffering.
... Book X. Chapter XLIX."God'sLong-Suffering. "But you say, Neither ought
God to do evil. You say truly; nor does He. But those...
Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity. I Beseech You that Ye Walk...
... I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with
all lowliness and meekness, withlong suffering, forbearing one another in love...
Prayer Concerns Three.
... "And He islong-suffering over them." That is God.... It has bothered the scholars in
this phrase to know with whom or over what thelong-suffering is exercised....
Sixteenth Lesson. Speedily, Though Bearing Long;'
... And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry to Him day and night, and He is
long-suffering over them?... He islong-suffering over them.' Behold!...
1 Timothy i. 15, 16
... find a sinner that so required all His pardon, all Hislong-suffering; not a part
only, like those who are only partially sinners, but "all" Hislongsuffering....
Colossians i. 9, 10
... "Strengthened": this to trials. "Unto all patience andlongsuffering":
long-suffering towards one another, patience towards those without....
Fruits and the Two Works.
... The fruits of the Spirit are enumerated in Gal.5:22, 23: "But the fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace,long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness...
2 Timothy iii. 16, 17
... Ver.2. "Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with alllongsuffering and doctrine.". What...
Thesaurus
Longsuffering (17 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LONGSUFFERING. long-suf'-er
... Walker.
Multi-Version Concordance
Longsuffering (17 Occurrences). Luke 18
...Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)
Long-suffering.Longsuffering,Long-suffering. Longwinged . Noah Webster's
Dictionary... (See JPS).Longsuffering,Long-suffering. Longwinged . Reference
Forbearance (9 Occurrences)
... The quality of being forbearing; indulgence toward offenders or enemies;long-suffering....
the riches of his goodness and forbearance andlongsuffering"; 3:25...
Forbearing (10 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, withlongsuffering, forbearing one
another... to the promise, as certain count slowness, but islong-suffering to us...
Patience (59 Occurrences)
... 29:8 (makrothumeo, the Revised Version (British and American) "longsuffering");
in The... bear long" (Matthew 18:26, 29 James 5:7; SeeLONGSUFFERING); the same...
Wait (223 Occurrences)
... (1 Corinthians 9:13 the King James Version). (2) The simple verb is used to describe
thelongsuffering and patience of God toward His willful people: "And...
Enduring (25 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Endure. 2. (a.) Lasting; durable;long-suffering; as, an
enduring disposition. Multi-Version Concordance Enduring (25 Occurrences)....
Patient (34 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Undergoing pains, trails, or the like, without murmuring or fretfulness;
bearing up with equanimity against trouble;long-suffering....
Spirits (129 Occurrences)
... spirits in prison, that aforetime were disobedient, when thelongsuffering of God...
a testifying of "the Spirit of Christ," that God'slong-suffering with Noah's...
Prison (131 Occurrences)
... spirits in prison, that aforetime were disobedient, when thelongsuffering of God...
a testifying of "the Spirit of Christ," that God'slong-suffering with Noah's...
Resources
How long was Job's suffering? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do so many people have to experience terrible suffering before death? | GotQuestions.orgIs Isaiah 53 'The Suffering Servant' a prophecy about Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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