Strong's Lexicon makrothumia: Patience, Long-suffering, Forbearance Original Word: μακροθυμία Word Origin: Derived from μακρός (makros, meaning "long") and θυμός (thumos, meaning "temper" or "passion") Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H750: אֶרֶךְ (erek) - Often translated as "long-suffering" or "slow to anger," reflecting a similar concept of patience and forbearance. - H639: אַף (aph) - While primarily meaning "nose" or "anger," it is used in contexts where God is described as "slow to anger." Usage: Makrothumia refers to the quality of being patient and enduring, especially in the face of provocation or difficulty. It is often translated as "patience" or "long-suffering" in English. This term emphasizes a self-restraint that does not hastily retaliate or punish, especially when faced with offenses or challenges. In the New Testament, makrothumia is frequently associated with the character of God and the expected behavior of believers, highlighting the virtue of enduring trials and showing mercy. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, patience was not always considered a virtue, as strength and immediate action were often valued. However, in Jewish and early Christian thought, patience was seen as a reflection of divine character. The concept of makrothumia was counter-cultural, promoting a lifestyle of endurance and forgiveness rather than revenge or immediate justice. This virtue was particularly important for early Christians who faced persecution and needed to maintain their faith and witness under pressure. HELPS Word-studies 3115 makrothymía (from 3117 /makrós, "long" and 2372 /thymós, "passion, anger") – properly, long-passion, i.e. waiting sufficient time before expressing anger. This avoids the premature use of force (retribution) that rises out of improper anger (a personal reaction). 3115 /makrothymía ("divinely-regulated patience") is used of God Himself (see 1 Pet 3:20; 2 Pet 3:15). Indeed, only the Lord produces 3115 /makrothymía ("true patience, longsuffering") in us and hence is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). "3115 (makrothymía) embraces steadfastness and staying-power. If in English we had an adjective 'long-tempered' as a counterpart to 'short-tempered,' then makrothymia could be called the quality of being 'long-tempered'. . . . which is a quality of God (LXX, Ex 34:6)" (F. F. Bruce, Commentary on Galatians, 253). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom makros and thumos Definition patience, long-suffering NASB Translation patience (14). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3115: μακροθυμίαμακροθυμία, μακροθυμίας, ἡ (μακρόθυμος (cf. μακροθυμέω)) (Vulg.longanimitas, etc.), i. e.: 1. patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance; especially as shown in bearing troubles and ills (Plutarch, Luc. 32f; ἄνθρωπος ὤν μηδέποτε τήν ἀλυπιαν αἰτου παρά θεῶν, ἀλλά μακροθυμίαν, Menander fragment 19, p. 203, Meineke edition (vol. iv., p. 238 Frag. comic. Graec. (Berl. 1841))): Colossians 1:11; 2 Timothy 3:10; Hebrews 6:12; James 5:10; Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 64 [ET]; the Epistle of Barnabas 2, 2 [ET]; (Isaiah 57:15; Josephus, b. j. 6, 1, 5; cf. 1 Macc. 8:4). 2. patience, forbearance, long-suffering, slowness in avenging wrongs, (for אַפַּיִם אֶרֶך, Jeremiah 15:15): Romans 2:4; Romans 9:22; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 1:16 (cf. Buttmann, 120 (105)); 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:15; (Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 13, 1 [ET]; Ignatius ad Eph. 3, 1 [ET]). From the same as makrothumos; longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude -- longsuffering, patience. see GREEK makrothumos Englishman's Concordance Romans 2:4 N-GFSGRK: καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας καταφρονεῖς ἀγνοῶν NAS: and tolerance and patience, not knowing KJV: and longsuffering; not knowing INT: and the patience despise you not knowing Romans 9:22 N-DFS 2 Corinthians 6:6 N-DFS Galatians 5:22 N-NFS Ephesians 4:2 N-GFS Colossians 1:11 N-AFS Colossians 3:12 N-AFS 1 Timothy 1:16 N-AFS 2 Timothy 3:10 N-DFS 2 Timothy 4:2 N-DFS Hebrews 6:12 N-GFS James 5:10 N-GFS 1 Peter 3:20 N-NFS 2 Peter 3:15 N-AFS Strong's Greek 3115 |
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