[Greek] μακροθυμέω (makrothymeō), [Latin] patiens, [Latin] habere patientiam (to have patience), [Latin] longanimitas, [French] endurant

[Greek] μακροθυμέω (makrothymeō), [Latin] patiens, [Latin] habere patientiam (to have patience), [Latin] longanimitas, [French] endurant: to be patient, to be long-suffering, to be slow, to endure; Mt.18:26,29, Lk.18:7, 1Cor.13:4, 1Thess.5:14, Heb.6:15, Jas.5:7-8, 2Pet.3:9

 

Background information:

Greek Hellenism: This term means to have patience, to put off, to delay, to put up with hardship, and to persevere.

Old Testament: This term means to be patient, to be long-suffering, to delay one’s wrath. This term is primarily used for God’s patience/wrath with man.

God:

1. The mercy and wrath of constitute the two poles with define God’s relationship with man.
2. Alongside wrath there is a divine restraint which postpones it.
3. God’s mercy/wrath is often determined by shortness of human life and weakness of human character.
4. God’s patience is a gift of God.
5. God may unleash His wrath if it serves to initiate His providence (punishment, correction, or conversion).

Man:

1. The Wisdom literature require that man show prudence and patience.
2. Man should not allow his anger to break forth. He should restrain it.
3. Long-suffering is a quality of prudence.
4. Secular use: the Roman soldier conveys a warlike virtue.

New Testament: This term means to be patient, to be slow to answer, and patient.

Scripture:

Mt.19:26: “The servant fell down, did his master homage and said,’ Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’”

Parable of the unforgiving servant:

1. The servant pleaded for his master to show him patience (mercy).
2. The master forgave the servant’s loan.
3. This servant refused to show patience (mercy) to his fellow servant. This servant put him in prison until he paid his debt.
4. The master learned that this servant failed to show patience (mercy) to his fellow servant.
5. The master handed this servant over to torturers until he paid his debt.
6. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who settles his accounts with his servants.
7. The heavenly Father’s forgiveness, already given, will be withdrawn at the judgment for those who have not shown forgiveness.

Lk.18:7: “Will not God then secure the rights of His chosen ones who call out to Him day and night? We He be slow to answer them?” (This pertains to the importance of persistent prayer. God bears long, shows patience [mercy], and suffers with His chosen. He will vindicate those who experience trials and affliction.)

Heb.6:15: “After patient waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.” (Because of his faithfulness to God, Abraham received God’s promise of multiplying his descendants as numerous as the stars. [Gen.12:1-3])

Jas.5:7: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and late rains.” (One must be long-patient in your suffering and oppression. One also must be enduring in your courage, vigor, and forbearance.)

2Pet.3:9: “The Lord does not delay His promise, as some regard “delay”, but He is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (The false teachers tried to justify their immorality by stating that the Lord’s coming has not [and will not come]. However, the Lord is patient, not wishing that one will not perish and that one can come to repentance.)

Conclusion:

Patient, patience, endure, endurance, long

Old Testament: God’s relationship with can often vary on a continuum from patience (mercy) to wrath.

Update: Oftentimes we often feel like that God has an “annoying” habit of working slower than we want when we need help from Him.

We often also forget or overlook to respond to others in mercy. I am pretty sure we will be reminded by Him of those when we have failed in doing this.

Some people hardly ever pray or struggle in how to pray. Then there are others who constantly pray.

My own personal experiences: For some reason, God is permitting me to constantly experience struggles and difficulties. Because of this, I am constantly praying! Believe me, I have no problems with praying!

More perspectives on struggles and difficulties:

1Pet.2:19-20: “Whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because of the consciousness of God, that is a grace. If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.”

One of my favorite prayer/poems:

Waiting on the Lord

 

When prayers aren’t answered

Quickly or right away,

Just ask the Lord to reveal to you,

The reason for His delay.

 

If the answer for that request

Just seems to take too long

Just lift up your hands

And praise Him

With a glorious new song.

 

Just wait on the Lord

And try to be still

‘Cause your request may not be

In God’s will.

 

If that is the case

Just praise Him again

He won’t steer you wrong

‘Cause He’s your friend.

Maybe you’ll learn patience,

A little trust too.

Or maybe your motives

You’ll need to review.

Ask Him for an answer

The way He sees fit.

But don’t you lose hope

And don’t you quit.

The answer can revealed

In a miraculous way.

So be prepared to listen

To what He has to say.

The answer will bring Him

Honor and glory.

And then you’ll be able to tell

Your story.

Minister to those

Who did lose hope.

Who were looking for answers

On how to cope.