On Longsuffering

longsuffering defined

“The Greek word makrothumia means patience with people. It includes longsuffering and forbearance that endures the misconduct of others and never seeks revenge.”[1]

It’s defined the same way by many scholars (i.e. Blue Letter Bible, Kenneth Wuest, Unger).

It’s also translated as forbearance, patience, or tolerance in Spanish.

inward longsuffering

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3.9

God is longsuffering toward us, delaying punishment, longing for salvation.

Our longsuffering must be based on our relationship with God.

outward longsuffering

“‘Patience’ is having patience with people who deliberately try to upset or harm us.”[2]

A step further…
In Romans 1 Paul describes people who reject God and become utter reprobates.
In Romans 2 he commands the church not to judge those reprobates too quickly.

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Romans 2.1-4

Paul reminds us that God is longsuffering with our faults. So we can put up with the faults of others, even reprobates. We can’t be so quick to be critical or to pass judgement.

“It takes time for us as the church to mature through all our differences, stemming from culture, education, even personality.”[3]

It is a process of maturity. The Fruit of the Spirit must ripen. Longsuffering gives us the right perspective with others as we all grow up spiritually.

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notes:

1. David Lim, “Spiritual Gifts,” in Systematic Theology, ed. Stanley M. Horton (Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 2002), 480.
2. Stanley M. Horton, What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit, Rev. ed. (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2005), 179.
3. Lim, 480.