PATIENCE (μακροθυμία, G3429, forbearance, longsuffering, patience; ὑπομονή, G5705, endurance, steadfastness). The first word stresses great forbearance under suffering caused by other people. The second stresses patient endurance and steadfastness though kept waiting for a long time by God. The RSV has more faithfully brought out the idea of steadfastness and endurance in ὑπομονή, G5705, than the KJV (Luke 21:19; Rom 5:3, 4; 15:4, 5; 2 Cor 6:4; Col 1:11, etc.).

In the OT are certain expressions for patience, such as “I waited patiently for the Lord” (קָוָה֒, H7747, Ps 40:1) and “patient in spirit” (Eccl 7:8), “the Lord is slow to anger” (Num 14:18; cf. Exod 34:6; Ps 86:5; Jer 15:15). These indicate that since patience is exemplified in God, so it is expected in His children.

A. God’s patience. God’s patient endurance of man’s rebellion extends to all mankind, and is evident today in that He still withholds His final judgment, “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet 3:9; cf. Ps 86:15). The extension of God’s patience to Israel is expressed repeatedly (Exod 34:6; Num 14:18; Ps 86:15; Jer 15:15, etc.). God endures the continued existence of the lost as “vessels of wrath” (Rom 9:22) but thus reveals His wrath against evil and sin.

B. The patience of the Christian. The believer is exhorted “to lead a life worthy of the calling...with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love” (Eph 4:1, 2; Col 1:11; 3:12). This is possible only as a result of the Spirit-filled life (Gal 5:22; cf. Rom 8:3, 4).

C. Christ’s patience. Christ’s endurance is the Christian’s example. He must “run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus...who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb 12:1, 2). Christ’s patient bearing of the taunts of the chief priests and elders and even of the thieves on their crosses is referred to in this passage (Matt 27:38-44; Mark 15:28-32; Luke 23:35-39; cf. Pss 22:1ff.; 35:11-28; 69:1ff.).

D. Patience toward the trials of life. One trial of the believer is living among sinful men and seeing them prosper in spite of their wickedness. This is stressed in several Psalms (Pss 37:1; 73; Prov 3:31; 23:17; 24:1; Jer 12).

E. Patience under divine chastenings. To develop the faith and the character of those whom He loves, God chastens and tests His servants (Heb 12:5-13). This is for the believer’s profit and is a part of the “all things” that work for his good (Rom 8:28). The faith and patience entailed in bearing trials deepens the believer’s experience, and the trials themselves are therefore to be received and borne with joy (James 1:2ff.). See also Longsuffering.