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4th Fruit of the Spirit:
Longsuffering (Patience)
The Fruit of the Spirit known as longsuffering is a fusion of patience and power, the double “P’s”. It has been said that longsuffering means “suffering long.” That is a good answer, but a better definition is needed. The word longsuffering in the Bible is made up of two Greek words meaning “long” and “temper”; literally, “long-tempered.” To be longsuffering, then, is to have self-restraint when one is stirred to anger. A longsuffering person does not immediately retaliate or punish; rather, he has a “long fuse” and patiently forbears. Longsuffering is no longer an ordinary word, but it is a virtue needed more than ever when impatience, intolerance, over-sensitivity and impulsive anger are so dominant. Anger and animosity can be the result of many negative influences, now a part of social acceptances. The evil influence we all are infected with is our own selfish nature. And our human abilities to make major improvements have become unfortunately very weak. This is why more than ever we need God’s help in every area of our lives.
It is the fourth among the fruit of the Spirit is a wonderful quality translated “longsuffering” in some Bible versions and patience in others. Those two English words are closely related, both associated with endurance. More important and fascinating is learning about the two corresponding Greek words in the New Testament. The one Greek word, “humpomonee” is translated “patience” in almost all Bible versions and implies patient endurance. The other Greek word is even more interesting. It is “makrothumia”, translated “patience” in some Bible versions but more accurately as “longsuffering” in others. The Greek word “makro” which gives us the English prefix “macro” means “large” or “long.” The root word “thumos” means “temper.” Therefore, “makrothumia” literally means “long–tempered”, which is the opposite of having a “short fuse”. According to Galatians 5:19–21, the apostle Paul refers to our human nature as “the flesh” and our selfish tendencies as the “works of the flesh.” These include carnal traits are producing hatred, arguments, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, oppositions, blasphemies, resentment, killings. The body in Christ clearly is in need the antidote for these traits, which is God’s Spirit.
Also, tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering these qualities tie together and give us an expanded view of longsuffering. We need to patiently (unwearyingly) “bear with one another” rather than allow ourselves to get annoyed or frustrated in the journey called life. Waiting for others is a test of our patience and an opportunity to build patience. And the Bible has much to say about our need to wait on God. We want God to solve all our problems right now, but God knows the best timing. He often tests our patience and perseverance before answering our prayers. When the Bible mentions waiting, patience, perseverance or longsuffering, it is often in connection with trusting in God to intervene for us in our need, as He assuredly will: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). This patient waiting is ultimately focused on the second coming of Jesus Christ: “To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).
Longsuffering is an old English word for “patience” and also includes forbearance which is the ability to have mercy. It is also the quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish. It is the opposite of anger and is associated with mercy. Patience is that steadiness of mind by which you wait for the result or answer to be achieved. The person who is patient does not become frustrated because problems do not always lend themselves to immediate solutions. Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances under trial. This type of godly longsuffering and patience can come only through the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit. That life produces certain characteristics (fruit) that are displayed in the believer as he obeys the Holy Spirit who lives within him. Longsuffering is to be exhibited by all believers, which is only those who remain faithful to death or to Christ’s coming will be rewarded in His Kingdom. “Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy” (Colossians 1:11). The old nature can be very short–fused at times, and we tend to strike back against offenses with unkind words and unforgiving spirits.
By obeying the Holy Spirit, the believer in Christ can say “no” to retaliation and exhibit a forgiving and longsuffering attitude. As God is longsuffering with us, we can and must be longsuffering with others. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:30–32). God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The ultimate example of God’s longsuffering is His waiting for individuals to respond in faith to Jesus Christ.
Patience is waiting for the right time without complaining, since the right time is in God’s timing. One of the results of patience is peace of mind. Patience also produces physical blessings of lower blood pressure and frustrations. Lastly, to be patient is to be calm, cool and collected. “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy” (Psalm 145:8). That’s the way He expects us to be, now consider carefully these wise words about being “long–tempered”, “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29). “A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention” (Proverbs 15:18). “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression” (Proverbs 19:11). We need to go to God the Father in prayer and ask Him for the fruit of His Spirit longsuffering or patience. After warning about end–time persecution of Christians, Jesus said, “But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). “Endures” means continuing to be led by God’s Spirit and continuing to bear the fruit of His Spirit to the end of your life or the second coming of Christ, whichever comes first.