In that lovely list from the pen of Paul indicating those things that characterize the faithful follower of the Lord we see that the fourth one is "longsuffering". The Greek word here is MAKROTHUMIA, meaning essentially “patience.” It comes from two root words: MAKROS -- long; and THUMOS -- temper. It speaks to the ability of one who is faithful to the Lord to endure many years of difficulty and deprivation in this life by looking to the life that is in heaven above. Let us notice some of the ways in which this word is used in the Bible.
God is "longsuffering": "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forebearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4). He is longsuffering to us despite our sin, indeed it is our sin which brings out God's longsuffering, for he is longsuffering to us in order that we might have occasion to repent: "What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction" (Romans 9:22). I believe it helps us to appreciate the nature of “longsuffering” when we consider just how we would prefer God to deal with us. How many times do we hope He will forgive? How many chances to “get it right” would we like Him to extend to us? Of course, we want Him to be very “longsuffering” in dealing with us; may we also be in dealing with others.
The faithful are pointed to patience: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love..." (Ephesians 4:1-2). Again, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering..." (Colossians 3:12). In the First Century there was as much emphasis placed on the “suffering” part of the word as on the “long”. Brethren then had to be concerned not only about their spiritual duties, but their very lives were daily put in peril due to their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is sometimes employed to indicate the patience of Christ toward sinners in general: "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" (I Timothy 1:16). We are able, through the Gospels, to see the longsuffering of Jesus in so many ways: 1) He came to save a rebellious world; 2) They (we) despised and rejected Him and put Him to death; 3) He gave (gives) chance after chance – yet still many hear Him not; etc. Is it too much, then, to require that we endure patiently such things as may come our way in His service?
It is to characterize our preaching: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine..." (II Timothy 4:2). I know not the origin of the notion that if men will not accept something at first hearing we are to “ram it through”, but I see this attempted and hear it advocated (in subtle ways). The object of preaching is to change the heart and thereby change the actions etc. Not everyone is at the same level of maturity, not everyone knows as much as everyone else, people need a chance to hear the truth first, teach them as long as they will learn, be patient, be true to the Book, but teach them!
It was a trait sufficiently demonstrated in the life of Paul as to allow him to use his own example of it to encourage Timothy: "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience..." (II Timothy 3:10). If anyone understood this word, it was Paul. He taught, labored, served, endured, etc. and all for what? the glory of God through His Son Jesus Christ.
This word was employed to indicate the disposition of God toward the wicked of ages past: "Which sometimes were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water" (I Peter 3:20). It is because of the longsuffering of God that we have been granted the time we have to turn to Him in obedience to the truth: "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you" (II Peter 3:15). God is at this very minute being longsuffering to all who have not obeyed Him, desiring that they be saved before it is too late. Have you obeyed Him?
Tim Smith 1272 Enon Rd. Webb, AL 36376 (334) 899-8131
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