Lexical Summary makrothumia: Patience, Long-suffering, Forbearance Original Word: μακροθυμία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance longsuffering, patience. From the same as makrothumos; longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude -- longsuffering, patience. see GREEK makrothumos 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]). Makrothymia, rendered in English as patience, long-suffering, or forbearance, describes a God-centered restraint that endures provocation without surrendering to resentment or retaliation. Rather than mere passivity, it is a purposeful waiting that preserves righteousness and seeks the good of others. The word appears fourteen times in the New Testament, spanning God’s own dealings with humanity and the Spirit-empowered character expected of believers. The Attribute of God Romans 2:4 portrays makrothymia as a facet of divine kindness leading to repentance: “Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” Likewise, Romans 9:22 shows God’s patience toward “objects of wrath” as an expression of His sovereign plan, delaying judgment to display His glory in salvation. 1 Peter 3:20 recalls the days of Noah when “the patience of God waited,” underscoring that long-suffering is embedded in His redemptive timeline. 2 Peter 3:15 reiterates that “our Lord’s patience means salvation,” confirming that every delay in final judgment serves evangelistic purposes. A Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22 lists makrothymia among the Spirit’s fruit, indicating that this characteristic is not self-generated but produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Colossians 1:11 unfolds the means: believers are “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” The pairing of power and patience guards against confusing long-suffering with weakness; it is Spirit-empowered resilience. Pastoral and Teaching Ministry Paul insists that leaders model makrothymia. In his final charge, he tells Timothy to “preach the word… with all patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). Earlier, Timothy had observed this very trait in Paul’s life (2 Timothy 3:10). Makrothymia sustains doctrinal clarity and corrective ministry without resorting to harshness. Eschatological Perspective James 5:10 cites “the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord” as examples of makrothymia amid suffering, reminding believers that endurance is essential until Christ’s return. Hebrews 6:12 exhorts believers to imitate “those who through faith and patience inherit the promises,” framing patience as a necessary companion to faith in the unfolding of God’s covenant purposes. Communal Harmony Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:12 place makrothymia at the heart of Christian relationships: “with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love.” Patience enables unity by absorbing offenses and allowing space for growth, reflecting the Lord’s own dealings with His people. Missional Implications Paul’s testimony in 1 Timothy 1:16 ties his salvation to Christ’s “perfect patience” as a pattern for future believers. The apostle’s conversion stands as a missionary paradigm: God’s forbearance toward even the “foremost” sinner demonstrates that no one is beyond hope while the day of salvation remains. Historical Reception Early Church Fathers revered makrothymia as a distinctively Christian virtue. Tertullian’s “On Patience” argued that the cross itself is the ultimate display of divine long-suffering, calling believers to mirror that posture. In later centuries, reformers appealed to God’s patience to explain the delay of judgment upon corrupt institutions, urging repentance before inevitable accountability. Practical Outworking 1. Personal Sanctification: Cultivate daily dependence on the Spirit, recognizing that true patience flows from communion with Christ (John 15:5). Summary Makrothymia unites the character of God, the formation of Christian virtue, and the mission of the Church. It is both the gracious context in which sinners find salvation and the Spirit-formed disposition that enables believers to live and serve faithfully until the consummation of all things. 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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