Patience
“Endurance, steadfastness, holding out; longsuffering, bearing long”
Summary
Patience is the calm and unruffled temper with which believers endure the evils and trials of life, characterized by steadfast perseverance, hopeful waiting on God, and the inner strength to remain faithful through suffering—distinct from mere passive resignation in that it maintains active trust in divine providence.
☩Biblical Terminology
Two Greek words express patience in the New Testament. Hupomone carries ideas of endurance, continuance, and steadfast holding out under trial—connected with the Hebrew words signifying 'hope' since patient endurance rests upon hope in God. This word denotes the psychological clarity that hope attains in the economy of grace, excluding wavering and doubt while asserting itself amid the contradictions of the present world. Makrothumia, the second term, is synonymous with hupomone but also means longsuffering—the disposition that delays anger and bears long with the faults of others. Both terms appear together in Colossians 1:11, Hebrews 6:12, James 5:10, and 2 Timothy 3:10.
☩Scriptural Motivations
Scripture presents powerful motives for cultivating patience: God Himself is 'the God of patience' who grants this grace to those who depend on Him. The Gospel commands it as an essential virtue, and our present condition renders its practice absolutely necessary. Eminent examples encourage us—Job's patience amid devastating loss, the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name, and supremely Christ who endured the cross. We are reminded that all trials borne with patience will terminate in triumph, as God works through suffering to develop character and produce proven faith.
☩The Patience of Christ
Christ's patience constitutes one of the most remarkable features of His manhood. Though aware that extraordinary forces were at His command, He moved unhasting toward His goal. His patience was not the placidity of a phlegmatic temperament but rather perfect self-control—not incapability of passion but the calm of an ocean refusing to be roused to anger. As a teacher, He showed patience with individuals like Thomas and Peter, explaining parables to slow disciples and teaching only as they could receive truth. As a sufferer, His patience is conspicuous in His passion—no one ever suffered so terribly yet so patiently, enduring extreme physical, mental, and spiritual agony with quiet dignity.
☩Patience Distinguished from Apathy
Christian patience differs fundamentally from the Stoic ideal of apathy which aimed at suppressing pain through emotional detachment. True patience does not eliminate pain—rather, 'patience in suffering implies that the pain continues.' The New Testament speaks of rejoicing in suffering and glorying in afflictions, but this joy does not exterminate the sense of pain; Hebrews 12:11 explicitly confesses that chastening seems grievous, and both Jesus and Paul exemplified endurance while feeling suffering deeply. The consciousness of reconciliation with God elevates personal worth above circumstances so that pain can be subordinated to joy—but underneath the joy, the pain continues, and the exercise of patience becomes the proper manifestation of Christian freedom.
☩Practical Development
Patience develops through tribulation: 'tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.' To know whether our passions are under due restraint, we must examine whether they influence our opinions, run before understanding, engage in trifles while neglecting important matters, or express themselves indecently. To have them properly regulated requires knowledge of duty, taking God's Word as our rule, and dependence on the Divine Being through prayer. The patient waiting for Christ characterizes true discipleship, and heroic perseverance in the face of persecution demonstrates the staying power of vital faith that brings forth spiritual fruit.
Related Verses66 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Patience," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Patience," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Patience," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Patience," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Passion," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).