Patience (Part 3)

This is the third in a series of studies on patience.

The Oxford American Dictionary defines patience as "the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset."  Although tolerance of delay is a an important kind of patience, the examples from the Old Testament using the equivalent Hebrew words seem to be more about tolerance of offenses in others— of avoiding conflict and of having a forgiving spirit.

Pro 15:18 NIV - A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,but a patient man calms a quarrel.

Pro 19:11 NIV - A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

Does the New Testament also use the word patience in the same way?  Certainly controlling anger in an impersonal setting— such as a delay in traffic— is important, but even more important is controlling our anger when we are mistreated or offended.

Eph 4:1 NKJV – I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering (G3115 – μακροθυμιας – makrothymias), bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The following text brings out the connection between patience and forgiveness very clearly.

Col 3:12 NKJV – Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering (G3115 – μακροθυμιαν – makrothymian); 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Paul points to Jesus as the example of this kind of patience.

1 Tim 1:16 NKJV – However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering (G3115 – μακροθυμιαν – makrothymian), as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

As we saw in an earlier study, Patience is not permissiveness.  We see Paul making this point in the next text.  We can be patient and principled at the same time— rebuking and exhorting and teaching.

2 Tim 4:2 NKJV – Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering (G3115 – μακροθυμια – makrothymia) and teaching.

James  also links patience to not grumbling against one another— if we are patient we may have to endure suffering— without grumbling!

Jas 5:9 NKJV – Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience (G3115 – μακροθυμιας – makrothymias). 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Peter points to the patience, the longsuffering of Jesus as our salvation.

2 Pet 3:15 and consider that the longsuffering (G3115 – μακροθυμιαν – makrothymian) of our Lord is salvation...

Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,
for they do not know what they do.”