Modern versions of the Bible translate the word for “long-suffering” as “patience," but there are some subtle differences between the usual word for patience and the word for long-suffering. The normal New Testament Greek word for patience is hupomene (hoopomenay) which means to passively wait. This is the way we normally use the word patience. It is used a lot in reference to trials, as in "we just have to wait until it is over." The Greek word used here for long-suffering is "makrothermia.” Makrothermia literally means to be able to suffer long and bear it in strength and courage without complaint, knowing that God sees and knows and resolves these things in His time. Pardon the Greek lesson, but the subtlety of the language is important here since there is a difference in waiting on someone or something and bearing up under suffering. I want to share some words that come to mind when I think of the meaning of long-suffering.
The first word is endurance. The Holy Spirit helps us endure all slings and arrows and pains of life without losing patience and without the desire to retaliate. This is the kind of endurance Jesus needed to go to the cross. It was this holy endurance that led Jesus to say, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” It is the kind of endurance that early Christians needed as they faced various forms of persecution from both unbelieving Jews and Romans. It is the kind of endurance that we need to face life in the twenty-first century. The good news is that we have this endurance, because the Holy Spirit has given it to us. The second word is persistence. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to persist in serving Jesus under any circumstances that we might face in life. In my lifetime I have seen a change in the public attitude toward the Christian faith. I think that most people are at least sympathetic to the Christian faith, but the fear of offending people has caused some powerful forces to try to keep us quiet about Jesus. Before it is all over, we might learn the real meaning of long-suffering. This is the kind of patience that keeps on until the job is done, no matter what public opinion is or what obstacles we face. Paul certainly had this fruit in his life as he went from place-to-place establishing churches, meeting opposition in every place. Persistence in our faith is necessary if we plan to reach our sophisticated world today. The third word is restraint. The Holy Spirit gives us a spirit of restraint when we need it. “Long suffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, page 604) Jesus certainly illustrated this aspect of long-suffering when He was slapped, beaten and spat upon without retaliating. It is important for us to realize that the Holy Spirit makes restraint possible for us too. I fully understand the desire to retaliate, but I have learned that all retaliation does is complicate the matter at hand. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit has given you all of the endurance, persistence and restraint that you need to live for and to serve Jesus. When you find yourself in situations where you need this fruit of long-suffering, remind yourself that the Holy Spirit is at work in you helping you to endure, persist, or restrain yourself. The wonderful thing about this is that you do not have to ask for long-suffering –just claim it and practice it. The Holy Spirit is with you at all times and He will not let you down. When you feel yourself weakening under pressure, desiring to quit or to retaliate, remember that you have the power to undergo all of it. Bro. Joe
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