Definition and Importance
Patience is a virtue highly esteemed in the Bible, often associated with endurance, perseverance, and long-suffering. It is the ability to wait calmly in the face of frustration or adversity, trusting in God's timing and sovereignty. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and is essential for spiritual growth and maturity.

Biblical Examples
1. Job: The account of Job is a profound example of patience in suffering. Despite losing his wealth, health, and family, Job remained steadfast in his faith. James 5:11 highlights his endurance: "Behold, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."

2. Abraham: Known as the father of faith, Abraham demonstrated patience by waiting for the fulfillment of God's promise to give him a son. Hebrews 6:15 states, "And so Abraham, after waiting patiently, obtained the promise."

3. Jesus Christ: Jesus exemplified perfect patience throughout His life and ministry. He patiently taught His disciples, endured opposition, and ultimately suffered on the cross for humanity's redemption. 1 Timothy 1:16 speaks of His patience: "But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience, as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life."

Teachings on Patience
1. Patience in Trials: Believers are encouraged to view trials as opportunities to develop patience. James 1:3-4 teaches, "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

2. Patience with Others: Christians are called to be patient with one another, bearing with each other's faults and weaknesses. Ephesians 4:2 instructs, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

3. Patience in Prayer: Patience is crucial in prayer, as believers are to wait on the Lord's timing and answers. Romans 12:12 encourages, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer."

The Role of Patience in the Christian Life
Patience is integral to the Christian life, enabling believers to trust in God's plan and timing. It fosters a spirit of humility and dependence on God, as seen in Psalm 37:7 : "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes."

Challenges to Patience
In a fast-paced world, patience is often challenged by the desire for immediate results and gratification. The Bible warns against impatience, which can lead to hasty decisions and actions contrary to God's will. Proverbs 14:29 states, "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly."

Encouragement for Cultivating Patience
Believers are encouraged to cultivate patience through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Colossians 1:11 offers a prayer for strength and patience: "being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully."1 Corinthians 13:4
Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,
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2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
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James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brothers, to the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
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1 Thessalonians 5:14
Now we exhort you, brothers, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
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3114. makrothumeo -- to persevere, to be patient
... anger (ie is the opposite of being "quick-tempered"). See 3115 (). Word Origin from
makros and thumos Definition to persevere, to be patient NASB Word Usage ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3114.htm - 7k

The Patient Teacher, and the Slow Scholars
... or boy, have been foiled, and that years, it may be, of patient work have ... If I might
so say, He calculated upon being misunderstood by Pharisees and outsiders ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the patient teacher and the.htm

That Perfect virtues are Never one Without the Other.
... of his valour. He that has never been afflicted may boast of not being
impatient, but not of being patient. In like manner, some ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vii that perfect virtues.htm

The Patient Workman
... and does resist His loving touch, and yet going on with imperturbable and patient
hope, by ... when it is only a universe that has to be brought into being; or He ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the patient workman.htm

Concerning Patience and Swearing.
... And concerning our being patient of injuries, and ready to serve all, and free from
anger, this is what He said: "To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek ...
/.../the first apology of justin/chapter xvi concerning patience and swearing.htm

God's Waiting and Man's
... The divine husbandman 'waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient
over it.' How wonderful that in a very real sense He attends on our pleasure ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/gods waiting and mans.htm

God Showed Himself, by the Fall of Man, as Patient, Benign ...
... XX."God showed himself, by the fall of man, as patient, benign, merciful ... attributes
of God displayed towards himself, by means of which being instructed he ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xx god showed himself by.htm

How are Your Ear Connections?
... read, or hear read, what it says about worldliness, foolish actions and conversation,
the wearing of gold for adornment; they read about being patient and holy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-nine how are your.htm

Letter xxxiii. --Patience with Oneself.
... us. Practise yourself, therefore, in being patient with regard to yourself
and in this perfect submission to the divine will. When ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xxxiii patience with oneself.htm

Psalm CXVIII.
... By being beaten He conquered those who struck Him; by being patient of torments,
the tormentors; [5114] by loving, those who raged against Him. 12. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxviii.htm

The Sixth Ennead Cfirst Tractate. On the Kinds of Being (1).
... motion from Action: how then does its modification of the patient object change
that patient's character without the agent being affected by the patient? ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/the sixth ennead cfirst tractate.htm

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