The Proclaimer

Longsuffering

The word rendered “longsuffering” in the New Testament is from the Greek word makrothumia.  This word is from two words: Makros meaning “long” and thumos meaning “temper.”  We all know what a short temper is.  This is the opposite.  The word is often translated patience, steadfastness, forbearance and endurance.  The connotations of the word vary. To some, longsuffering means the ability to endure personal injuries or irritations without being provoked to anger.  To others it implies the ability to wait without becoming irritated. Paul uses the word to describe God: “O despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4)  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 that love suffers long, and writes further to the Corinthians that we prove ourselves to be ministers of God by our longsuffering (2 Cor. 6:6). 

There are two basic areas in which we need to be longsuffering:

1.         Towards People: never lose patience with them however unreasonable, nor lose hope with them however unlovely and unteachable.

2.         Towards Events: Never admit defeat nor lose hope and faith, no matter how dark the situation.

As God’s elect we are to put on a heart that is longsuffering (Col. 3:12).  It is a characteristic of the new man in Christ.  It is descriptive of our walk as a child of God (Eph. 4:2) and is to be extended towards all (1 Thess. 5:14).  It is required of all who would be teachers (2 Tim. 3:10; 4:2).  And yet it is a challenge at times for each one of us not to be short tempered with people from time to time.

Jehovah Himself is a supreme example of patience.  His longsuffering was evident while Noah was building the ark and preaching (1 Peter 3:20).  When He spoke directly to Moses in the giving of the Ten Commandments, God proclaimed that He was “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6).  Dealing with His people through forty years of wilderness wanderings caused even the Father to become exasperated at times. (See Deut. 9:19, 20; 13:17).  And yet, the promise was fulfilled as the Israelites possessed the promised land.

The New Testament extends the idea of God’s patience with man.  “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 2:9).  As mentioned previously, God’s goodness, forbearance and longsuffering are instrumental in leading men to repentance (Rom. 2:4).  But His patience is not without end, for the “day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness”? (2 Peter 3:10, 11)

Are you ready for the Lord’s return?

                                                                                    -- Clark Dugger

The Proclaimer