Patience
Enduring trials and waiting on God with steadfast faith
Overview
Patience stands among the most necessary yet difficult Christian virtues. In a culture of instant gratification, biblical patience requires supernatural grace. The Greek word makrothumia (longsuffering) combines "long" and "temper"—the ability to sustain composure over extended periods of trial. Scripture presents patience both as a command to obey and a fruit the Spirit produces.
Patience operates in multiple directions. Patience with God waits on His timing, trusting that His delays are not denials. "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart" (Psalms 27:14). Patience with people forbears offenses, extending grace to those who frustrate or harm us. Patience in trials endures suffering without demanding immediate relief or abandoning faith.
Scripture reveals patience's fruit. "The trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:3-4). Trials develop patience, and patience produces maturity. There is no shortcut to spiritual depth—it requires time under pressure, sustained by grace.
God Himself models perfect patience. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish" (2 Peter 3:9). His patience with sinners demonstrates both mercy and justice—providing time for repentance while guaranteeing eventual judgment. Believers reflect God's character when they extend similar patience to others.
Subtopics
Waiting on God
Patient trust in God's timing
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Psalms 27:14
— Wait on the LORD
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
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Isaiah 40:31
— They that wait upon the LORD
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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Lamentations 3:25
— Good to them that wait
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
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Psalms 37:7
— Rest in the LORD, wait patiently
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Patience in Trials
Endurance through suffering
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James 1:3-4
— Trying of faith worketh patience
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
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Romans 5:3-4
— Tribulation worketh patience
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
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Hebrews 10:36
— Ye have need of patience
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
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James 5:10-11
— Example of the prophets
Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
Patience with Others
Forbearing one another
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Colossians 3:12-13
— Forbearing one another
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
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Ephesians 4:2
— Longsuffering, forbearing in love
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
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1 Thessalonians 5:14
— Be patient toward all men
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
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2 Timothy 2:24
— Gentle unto all, patient
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Study Guidance
Topical study benefits from reading verses in their broader context. Click any reference above to view the complete passage and surrounding verses. Consider comparing how different biblical authors address the same theme across various contexts and time periods.
Cross-reference study deepens understanding. Many verses listed here connect to other passages—use the cross-references provided on individual verse pages to trace theological themes throughout Scripture.