Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:Longsuffering, 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 expected of believers as a reflection of His character. The term is derived from the Greek word "makrothumia," which combines "makros" (long) and "thumos" (temper), suggesting a long holding out of the mind before it gives way to action or passion.
Biblical References:Longsuffering is frequently mentioned in the Bible as an attribute of God and a fruit of the Spirit that believers are encouraged to cultivate. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "erek apayim" is often translated as longsuffering or slow to anger. For example, in
Exodus 34:6, God describes Himself to Moses: "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth."
In the New Testament, longsuffering 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 understood as longsuffering, indicating a divine quality that believers should exhibit.
God's Longsuffering:God's longsuffering is a central theme in Scripture, demonstrating His mercy and desire for repentance rather than immediate judgment. In
2 Peter 3:9, it is written, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." This passage highlights God's longsuffering nature, emphasizing His patience as an opportunity for humanity to turn back to Him.
Longsuffering in the Life of Believers:Believers are called to emulate God's longsuffering 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 underscores the importance of patience and forgiveness in Christian conduct.
The Apostle Paul often exemplified longsuffering in his ministry, enduring persecution and hardship for the sake of the Gospel. In
2 Timothy 4:2, he exhorts Timothy to "preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and instruction." Here, longsuffering is linked with teaching and guiding others in truth.
Practical Application:Longsuffering is a vital component of Christian maturity and community life. It involves bearing with others' weaknesses, forgiving offenses, and maintaining hope and love in difficult circumstances.
Ephesians 4:1-2 encourages believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love."
In summary, longsuffering is a divine attribute that believers are called to embody, reflecting God's patience and mercy in their relationships and spiritual journey.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LONGSUFFERINGlong-suf'-er-ing ('erekh 'appayim; makrothumia): The words 'erekh 'appayim, translated longsuffering, mean literally, "long of nose" (or "breathing"), and, as anger was indicated by rapid, violent breathing through the nostrils, "long of anger," or "slow to wrath." The adjective is applied to God (Exodus 34:6 the King James Version, in the name of Yahweh as proclaimed to Moses; Numbers 14:18 the King James Version; Psalm 86:15 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "slow to anger," which is also the translation in other places; the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American)Nehemiah 9:17Psalm 103:8;Psalm 145:8Proverbs 15:18;Proverbs 16:32Joel 2:13Jonah 4:2;Nahum 1:3); it is associated with "great kindness" and "plenteous in mercy." The substantive occurs inJeremiah 15:15: "Take me not away in thy longsuffering." InEcclesiastes 7:8, we have 'erekh ruach, the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "patient in spirit."
The word in the New Testament rendered "longsuffering," makrothumia (once makrothumeo, "to be longsuffering"), which is the rendering of 'erekh 'appayim in the Septuagint, is literally, "long of mind or soul" (regarded as the seat of the emotions), opposed to shortness of mind or soul, irascibility, impatience, intolerance. It is attributed to God (Romans 2:4;Romans 9:222 Peter 3:9), of His bearing long with sinners and slowness to execute judgment on them. It is, therefore, one of "the fruits of the Spirit" in man (Galatians 5:22) which Christians are frequently exhorted to cherish and show one toward the other (Ephesians 4:2Colossians 1:11;Colossians 3:12, etc.); it belongs, Paul says, to the love, without which all else is nothing: "Love suffereth long (makrothumei), and is kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4); The verb makrothumeo is sometimes translated by "patience" (Matthew 18:26, 29, "Have patience with me").Luke 18:7 has been variously rendered; the King James Version has "And shall not God avenge his own elect.... though he bear long with them"; the Revised Version (British and American) "and yet he is longsuffering over them," the American Revised Version margin "and is he slow to punish on their behalf?" Weymouth (New Testament in Modern Speech) has "although he seems slow in taking action on their behalf," which most probably gives the sense of the passage; inJames 5:7, 8 the verb occurs thrice, the King James Version "be patient," "hath long patience"; the Revised Version (British and American) also translates by "patient"; this, however, as inMatthew 18:26, 29, seems to lose the full force of the Greek word. According to Trench (Synonyms of the New Testament, 189), the difference between hupomone ("patience") and makrothumia is that the latter word expresses patience in respect to persons, and the former in respect to things; hence, hupomone is never ascribed to God; where He is called "the God of patience," it is as He gives it to His servants and saints. But inJames 5:7 it is used with reference to things, and inColossians 1:11 it is associated with patience (compareHebrews 6:12, 15), suggesting patient endurance of trials and sufferings. InColossians 1:11 it is also associated with "joy," indicating that it is not a mere submissiveness, but a joyful acceptance of the will of God, whatever it may be. In The Wisdom of Solomon 15:1; Ecclesiasticus 5:4, we have "longsuffering" (makrothumos) ascribed to God; also in Ecclesiasticus 2:11, the Revised Version (British and American) "mercy."
W. L. Walker
Greek
3115. makrothumia -- patience, long-suffering... Transliteration: makrothumia Phonetic Spelling: (mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah) Short Definition:
patience, forbearance Definition: patience, forbearance,
longsuffering.
...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... wrath with his anger (1). angry, before, countenance, face, forbearing,
forehead,
longsuffering, nose,. From 'anaph; properly, the
...750. arek -- long
... Word Origin from arak Definition long NASB Word Usage long (1), patience (2), slow
(10), who is slow (2).longsuffering patient, slow to anger....
Library
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...
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...
October 9 Morning
... 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...
1 Timothy i. 15, 16
... Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show
forth alllongsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe...
Colossians i. 9, 10
... "Strengthened": this to trials. "Unto all patience andlongsuffering":
long-suffering towards one another, patience towards those without....
Parable of the Importunate Widow.
... widow and the beloved elect.3. In the petition"the frequent visits of the one, and
the continual cries of the many], and yet he islongsuffering over them?...
April 30 Evening
... The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful
and gracious,longsuffering."The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as...
June 1 Morning
... JUNE 1 MORNING. The fruit of the Spirit islongsuffering, gentleness."GAL.5:22.
The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious,longsuffering...
Knowledge and Obedience.
... "Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience
andlongsuffering with joyfulness." The Apostle's thought pours itself out in...
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
... 12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness,
lowliness, meekness,longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and...
Thesaurus
Longsuffering (17 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LONGSUFFERING. long-suf'-er-ing ('erekh
'appayim; makrothumia): The words 'erekh 'appayim, translated
...Patience (59 Occurrences)
... makrothumia is translated "patience" (Hebrews 6:12 James 5:10); makrothumeo, "to
bear long" (Matthew 18:26, 29 James 5:7; SeeLONGSUFFERING); the same verb is...
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...
Meekness (14 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY DBY WBS YLT). Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with
longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)....
Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)
Long-suffering.Longsuffering, Long-suffering. Longwinged . Noah Webster's
Dictionary... (See JPS).Longsuffering, Long-suffering. Longwinged . Reference
Suffering (104 Occurrences)
... Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known,
endured with muchlongsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction...
Shew (226 Occurrences)
... Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known,
endured with muchlongsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction...
You-ward (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness;
but islongsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but...
Unfeigned (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, bylongsuffering, by kindness,
by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)....
Us-ward (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but islongsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but...
Resources
What does the Bible mean by longsuffering? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about forbearance? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the character of God? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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