[Greek] ἀνέχομαι (anechomai), [Latin] adferre, [Latin] sustinere, [Latin] subportare, [Latin] patere, [Latin] sufferere: to be patient with, to put up with (forbear), to bear, to endure, to persevere to tolerate; Mt.17:17, Mk.9:19, Lk.9:41, Acts 18:14, 1Cor.4:12, 2Cor.11:1,4,19-20, Eph.4:2, Col.3:13, 2Thess.1:4, 2Tim.4:3, Heb.13:22
The Trojan Horse: painting by Henri-Paul Motte (1874) “Beware of Greeks bringing Gifts”: One must be bear (endure) the consequences of receiving something from strangers.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to endure, to bear, and to abide. Plato’s Phaedo 109e states “If anyone should come to the top of the air or should get wings and fly up, he would see things in that upper world, if his nature were strong enough to bear the sight, he would recognize that this is the real heaven.” Sophocles Ajax 660 states “Ever since I took into my hand this gift from Hector, my greatest enemy, I have gotten no good from the Greeks. Yes, the men’s proverb is true: the gifts of enemies are not gifts and bring no good.” Homer’s Iliad 1.586 states “Be patient, my mother, and endure for all your grief, lest dear as you are to me, my eyes see you stricken.”
Old Testament: This term means to endure, to bear, to forbear (put up with), to restrain oneself, and to receive (accept) something or someone. God can either restrain Himself, showing mercy for men. Or God can restrain Himself, permitting men to reap the consequences of their sinful actions. These I cannot bear (Isa.1:13). When he could not longer bear his own stench (2Macc.9:12). For the emotions of the appetites are restrained (4Macc.1:35). What strength have I that I should endure (Job.6:11). Can you hold back, O Lord, after all this? (Isa.64:11). I have said nothing, holding myself in (Isa.42:14). O Lord, hold not back (Isa.63:15).
New Testament: This term means to endure, to accept (tolerate), and to forebear (be patient with). Jesus disappointingly puts up with the disciples’ lack of faith concerning healing the possessed boy. Pointing out the Corinthians’ hubris, Paul tells them to put with his ‘foolishness’. Paul cautions one must not put up with (tolerate) sinful behavior. Paul calls one to bear with one another with love and encouragement. Paul warns that there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but will follow their own desires. Paul warns that Christians may endure struggles and persecutions.
Scripture:
“Jesus said in reply, ‘O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him here to Me’” Mt.17:17
Jesus is disappointed in the disciples’ lack of faith which couldn’t heal the possessed boy. Jesus becomes exasperated about this.
“Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the affliction you endure.” 2Thess.1:4
Paul acknowledges and warns the Christians that they may experience struggles and persecutions.
“For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers.” 2Tim.4:3
This becomes a very prophetic scripture foretelling those who would rather follow the current culture rather than scriptural mandates.
Etymology: The Greek anechomai, meaning to hold (-echo) up (ana-), is related to several Latin verbs. The Latin adferre means to bring to, to carry forth, and to offer. The Latin sustinere means to uphold, to tolerate, to put off, and to maintain. The Latin subportare means to support (to bear from underneath). The Latin patare means to be exposed, to be vulnerable, to endure, and to be patient. The Latin suffererre means to endure and to suffer.
Conclusion:
Offer, sustain, support, patient, suffer
At first glance, I wasn’t very sure if I was going to be able to make a post about this term. I had to put up with my lack of understanding and endure some research into this term. It was interesting to learn about the original sense of putting up with something for which we all take for granted. We all also can relate to enduring with some struggle or difficulty. Sophocles makes reference to the notion of accepting gifts from strangers (beware of Greeks bearing gifts).
The Old Testament develops the important theme of God putting up with (forbearing) man. God can restrain Himself in showing us mercy (by not punishing). Or God can also restrain Himself, permitting man to reap the consequences of his sinful actions.
In the New Testament, Jesus also shows a disappointing forbearance (putting up) with the disciples’ lack of faith. Paul asks others to put up with his foolishness. Paul also has to put up with the Corinthians’ hubris and arrogance. Paul also mentions that Christians may have to endure struggles or persecutions. 2Tim.4:3 provides a prophetic commentary on human behavior. Modifying or even denying sound doctrine in order to adapt to current times happens frequently in the current times. This could apply to the definitions of abortion, marriage, the priesthood, Jesus’ Body and Blood, etc.
Current events: In the aftermath of this election, our nation is more divided than ever. One side believes we have a new President-Elect. The other side believes that further legal action is needed in contested state elections to ascertain the next President. So now we will have to put up this legal challenges before we have consensus on this election.
Thanks for putting up with me in making this post.