Patience
Patience is the ability to take a great deal of punishment from evil people or
circumstances without losing one’s temper, without becoming irritated and angry,
or without taking vengeance. It includes the capacity to bear trials without
complaint, the ability to forbear under severe provocation, and the self-control that
keeps one from acting rashly even though suffering opposition or adversity. There
are two different Greek words that were translated by the translators with the
words “patience”. One of the words gives the idea of “remaining firm under” tests
and trials and can be better translated “endurance” or “steadfastness”. The other
Greek word is referred to patience as “long-spiritedness” or “calmness of spirit”
even though under severe provocation to lose one’s temper.
Some examples of patience was David, he was anointed king by Samuel yet he
was patient and even though he had to run from king Saul. And even though he
had two different opportunities to kill king Saul, he didn’t do it, and waited for God,
and obtained great rewards. Joseph had a dream and was patient in spite of
being sold as a slave by his brothers, then accused falsely by his master’s wife,
and was sent to prison. He remained faithful to God and God was able to bless
him where he was to the point that his master and the one over the prison noticed
it. He did get to see his dream come into being, and became the second in control
over Egypt. God says in Habakkuk 2:2-3 “write the vision, and make it plain upon
tables, that he may run that read it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but
at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely
come, it will not tarry”. The devil tries to get people to give up, but it is up to us to
hear the word and or get the vision and hang on to it until it comes.
Patience, which is an attribute of our God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, God was
patient in holding off the flood for the sinners of Noah’s day while the ark was
being built, thereby giving more time for repentance (I Peter 3:20). The greatest of
the New Testament references to God’s patience is in II Peter 3:9 “the Lord is not
slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering
to us-ward not willing that non should perish, but that all should come to
repentance”. The delay in Christ’s return is not an indication of slowness on God’s
part, says Peter, but of his long-suffering, not being willing that anyone should
perish. A specific reference to Jesus Christ’s patience is made by Paul, who
claimed that, in his case, Jesus was able to demonstrate perfect patience ( I
Timothy 1:15-16) “this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief. However for this
cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all
longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should here-after believe on Him to life
everlasting”.
Patience is also to characterize each Christian. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is
that they might demonstrate this quality (Colossians 1:10-11) “that you might walk
worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing
in the knowledge of God. Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious
power to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness”. It is one of the fruits of the
Spirit (Galatians 5:22); an attribute of love (I Corinthians 13:4); and a virtue
(Colossians 3:12, and II Timothy 3:10).
Christians are exhorted to be patient (I Thessalonians 5:14) “now we exhort you,
brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak,
be patient toward all men”. Paul commends them (I Thessalonians 1:3-4) “we are
bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because that your faith
grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other
abounds. So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your
patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure’.
All Christians are commanded to be long-suffering until the coming of the Lord
(James 5:7-11) “be patient therefore, brethren, to the coming of the Lord. Behold,
the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for
it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be you also patient; establish your
hearts for the coming of the Lord draws near. Grudge not one against another
brethren, less you be condemned behold, the judge stands before the door. Take
my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an
example of suffering affliction and of patience. Behold, we count them happy
which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job”. In this the word “patience”
takes on the more general meaning of waiting long and expectantly for something.
Patience is needed in obtaining the promises of God (Hebrews 6:12-15) “that you
be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the
promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by
no greater, He swear by Himself. Saying, surely blessing I will bless you, and
multiplying I will multiply you. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained
the promise”; and (Hebrews 10:36 and 12:1) “for you have need of patience, that
after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise… Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us”. In James 1:2-4 the Bible says “my
brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations. Knowing this, that
the trying of your fait works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that
you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing”. Luke 8:15 “but that on the good
ground are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep
it, and bring forth fruit with patience”.
Patience is one of the things needed to keep us from falling (II Peter 5-10) “giving
all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge. And to knowledge
temperance, and to temperance, patience, and to patience godliness. And to
godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things
be in you, and abound, that make you that you shall neither be barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be he that lacks these things
is blind and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old
sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and
election sure, for if you do these things, you shall never fall”.
The good news is that patience is a fruit of the spirit and we can rely on the Spirit
to strength us.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: February 19, 2008
Patience is the ability to take a great deal of punishment from evil people or
circumstances without losing one’s temper, without becoming irritated and angry,
or without taking vengeance. It includes the capacity to bear trials without
complaint, the ability to forbear under severe provocation, and the self-control that
keeps one from acting rashly even though suffering opposition or adversity. There
are two different Greek words that were translated by the translators with the
words “patience”. One of the words gives the idea of “remaining firm under” tests
and trials and can be better translated “endurance” or “steadfastness”. The other
Greek word is referred to patience as “long-spiritedness” or “calmness of spirit”
even though under severe provocation to lose one’s temper.
Some examples of patience was David, he was anointed king by Samuel yet he
was patient and even though he had to run from king Saul. And even though he
had two different opportunities to kill king Saul, he didn’t do it, and waited for God,
and obtained great rewards. Joseph had a dream and was patient in spite of
being sold as a slave by his brothers, then accused falsely by his master’s wife,
and was sent to prison. He remained faithful to God and God was able to bless
him where he was to the point that his master and the one over the prison noticed
it. He did get to see his dream come into being, and became the second in control
over Egypt. God says in Habakkuk 2:2-3 “write the vision, and make it plain upon
tables, that he may run that read it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but
at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely
come, it will not tarry”. The devil tries to get people to give up, but it is up to us to
hear the word and or get the vision and hang on to it until it comes.
Patience, which is an attribute of our God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, God was
patient in holding off the flood for the sinners of Noah’s day while the ark was
being built, thereby giving more time for repentance (I Peter 3:20). The greatest of
the New Testament references to God’s patience is in II Peter 3:9 “the Lord is not
slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering
to us-ward not willing that non should perish, but that all should come to
repentance”. The delay in Christ’s return is not an indication of slowness on God’s
part, says Peter, but of his long-suffering, not being willing that anyone should
perish. A specific reference to Jesus Christ’s patience is made by Paul, who
claimed that, in his case, Jesus was able to demonstrate perfect patience ( I
Timothy 1:15-16) “this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief. However for this
cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all
longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should here-after believe on Him to life
everlasting”.
Patience is also to characterize each Christian. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is
that they might demonstrate this quality (Colossians 1:10-11) “that you might walk
worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing
in the knowledge of God. Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious
power to all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness”. It is one of the fruits of the
Spirit (Galatians 5:22); an attribute of love (I Corinthians 13:4); and a virtue
(Colossians 3:12, and II Timothy 3:10).
Christians are exhorted to be patient (I Thessalonians 5:14) “now we exhort you,
brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak,
be patient toward all men”. Paul commends them (I Thessalonians 1:3-4) “we are
bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because that your faith
grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other
abounds. So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your
patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure’.
All Christians are commanded to be long-suffering until the coming of the Lord
(James 5:7-11) “be patient therefore, brethren, to the coming of the Lord. Behold,
the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for
it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be you also patient; establish your
hearts for the coming of the Lord draws near. Grudge not one against another
brethren, less you be condemned behold, the judge stands before the door. Take
my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an
example of suffering affliction and of patience. Behold, we count them happy
which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job”. In this the word “patience”
takes on the more general meaning of waiting long and expectantly for something.
Patience is needed in obtaining the promises of God (Hebrews 6:12-15) “that you
be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the
promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by
no greater, He swear by Himself. Saying, surely blessing I will bless you, and
multiplying I will multiply you. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained
the promise”; and (Hebrews 10:36 and 12:1) “for you have need of patience, that
after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise… Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us”. In James 1:2-4 the Bible says “my
brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations. Knowing this, that
the trying of your fait works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that
you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing”. Luke 8:15 “but that on the good
ground are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep
it, and bring forth fruit with patience”.
Patience is one of the things needed to keep us from falling (II Peter 5-10) “giving
all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge. And to knowledge
temperance, and to temperance, patience, and to patience godliness. And to
godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things
be in you, and abound, that make you that you shall neither be barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be he that lacks these things
is blind and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old
sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and
election sure, for if you do these things, you shall never fall”.
The good news is that patience is a fruit of the spirit and we can rely on the Spirit
to strength us.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: February 19, 2008
