Lexical Summary makrothumeó: To be patient, to endure, to be long-suffering Original Word: μακροθυμέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be longsuffering, have patience, patiently endure. From the same as makrothumos; to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient -- bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure. see GREEK makrothumos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3114 makrothyméō – properly, long-tempered (to defer anger), refusing to retaliate with anger, because of human reasoning. [The literal sense if the term is "extending a long time (way)."] 3114 /makrothyméō ("showing divinely-directed patience") is "longsuffering" because it only expresses anger as the Lord directs (i.e. is the opposite of being "quick-tempered"). See 3115 (makrothymia). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom makros and thumos Definition to persevere, to be patient NASB Translation delay long (1), have patience (2), patient (6), patiently waited (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3114: μακροθυμέωμακροθυμέω, μακροθύμω; 1 aorist, imperative μακροθύμησον, participle μακροθυμήσας; (from μακρόθυμος, and this from μακρός and θυμός); to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart; hence, 1. to persevere patiently and bravely (equivalent to καρτέρω, so Plutarch, de gen. Socrates c. 21, p. 593 f.; Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 4, 11) in enduring misfortunes and troubles: absolutely, Hebrews 6:15; James 5:8; with the addition of ἕως and a genitive of the desired event, James 5:7; with ἐπί and a dative of the thing hoped for, ibid.; add, Sir. 2:4. 2. "to be patient in bearing the offences and injuries of others; to be mild and slow in avenging; to be long-suffering, slow to anger, slow to punish" (for אַף הֶאֱרִיך, to defer anger, Proverbs 19:11): absolutely, 1 Corinthians 13:4; πρός τινα, 1 Thessalonians 5:14; ἐπί with the dative of person (see ἐπί, B. 2 a. δ.), Matthew 18:26, 29 (here L Tr with the accusative, so Tr in 26; see ἐπί, C. I. 2 g. β'.); Sir. 18:11 Sir. 29:8; hence, spoken of God deferring the punishment of sin: εἰς τινα, toward one, 2 Peter 3:9 (here L T Tr marginal reading διά (which see B. II. 2 b. under the end)); ἐπί with the dative of person, Luke 18:7; in this difficult passage we shall neither preserve the constant usage of μακροθύμειν (see just before) nor get a reasonable sense, unless we regard the words ἐπ' αὐτοῖς as negligently (see αὐτός, II. 6) referring to the enemies of the ἐκλεκτῶν, and translate καί μακροθυμῶν ἐπ' αὐτοῖς even though he is long-suffering, indulgent, to them; — this negligence being occasioned by the circumstance that Luke seems to represent Jesus as speaking with Sir. 32:22 (Sir. 35:18) in mind, where ἐπ' αὐτοῖς must be referred to ἀνελεημόνων. The reading (of L T Tr WH) καί μακροθυμεῖ ἐπ' αὐτοῖς; by which τό μακροθύμειν is denied to God (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 55, 7) cannot be accepted, because the preceding parable certainly demands the notion of slowness on God's part in avenging the right; cf. DeWette at the passage; (but to this it is replied, that the denial of actual delay is not inconsistent with the assumption of apparent delay; cf. Meyer (edited by Weiss) at the passage). Strong’s Greek 3114 depicts an active, deliberate patience that endures provocation, delay, or trial without surrendering hope or retaliating in anger. The verb occurs ten times in the New Testament and invariably connotes a steady, purposeful restraint that rests on faith in God’s character and timing. Occurrences and Narrative Setting • Hebrews 6:15 anchors the concept in the patriarchal example: “And so after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise.” The verse links long-suffering endurance to the eventual fulfillment of covenant promise. Divine Forbearance God’s longsuffering is neither weakness nor indecision. In 2 Peter 3:9 it serves a salvific purpose—creating space for repentance before judgment. Luke 18:7 assures that this patience will not perpetually defer justice; it balances mercy and righteousness, revealing a God who governs time to serve redemption. Christlike Character in Believers 1 Corinthians 13:4 places patience at the head of love’s qualities, implying that every other virtue flows from it. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 names the cognate noun (long-suffering) among the Spirit-wrought graces, indicating that sustained forbearance is impossible apart from divine enablement. Pastoral and Congregational Application The Thessalonian charge to “admonish the unruly… encourage the fainthearted… help the weak, and be patient with everyone” frames patience as a governing principle for ministry. Leaders are to correct and comfort without haste to condemn. James, writing to suffering believers, instructs them to stabilize their hearts by waiting “until the coming of the Lord,” teaching that patience is strengthened by a clear view of Christ’s return. Eschatological Perspective Both James and Peter link longsuffering to the Parousia. The farmer watches for “the early and latter rains”; the church watches for the Lord. Patience thus becomes an eschatological discipline—confidence that the Judge stands at the door and that every delay is purposeful. Ethics of Forgiveness and Debt Matthew 18 contrasts a master’s compassion with a servant’s harshness, exposing hypocrisy when forgiven people refuse to extend the same forbearance. The parable warns that impatience with others betrays a heart untouched by grace and invites divine discipline. Historical Reflection Early Christian writers testified that the church’s non-retaliatory stance under persecution flowed directly from this command. Patience was considered a public apologetic; Tertullian even titled a treatise “On Patience,” arguing that the virtue manifests the likeness of God more than any miracle. Practical Implications Today • In personal relationships, patience resists the culture of instant gratification, choosing slow reconciliation over quick reprisal. Summary Strong’s 3114 portrays a patience rooted in God’s covenant faithfulness, revealed supremely in the cross and resurrection, and destined to be vindicated at Christ’s return. Cultivating this virtue aligns the believer’s temperament with the heart of God, fortifies the church’s witness, and prepares the saints to inherit the promises in full. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 18:26 V-AMA-2SGRK: αὐτῷ λέγων Μακροθύμησον ἐπ' ἐμοί NAS: him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay KJV: saying, Lord, have patience with me, INT: to him saying have patience with me Matthew 18:29 V-AMA-2S Luke 18:7 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 13:4 V-PIA-3S 1 Thessalonians 5:14 V-PMA-2P Hebrews 6:15 V-APA-NMS James 5:7 V-AMA-2P James 5:7 V-PPA-NMS James 5:8 V-AMA-2P 2 Peter 3:9 V-PIA-3S Strong's Greek 3114 |
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