The term "forbore" is derived from the verb "forbear," which means to refrain or abstain from something, often out of patience, self-control, or mercy. In the context of the Bible, forbearance is a significant virtue, reflecting God's patience and mercy towards humanity, as well as the expected conduct of believers towards one another.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Forbearance: God's forbearance is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, illustrating His patience and willingness to withhold immediate judgment to allow for repentance. In Romans 3:25 , Paul speaks of God's forbearance in the context of the atonement provided through Jesus Christ: "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand."

2. Human Forbearance: Believers are called to emulate God's forbearance in their interactions with others. This is often linked with forgiveness, patience, and love. In Ephesians 4:2 , Paul exhorts the church to live "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." This call to forbearance is a reflection of the unity and peace that should characterize the body of Christ.

3. Forbearance in Relationships: The concept of forbearance is also applied to personal relationships, particularly within the Christian community. Colossians 3:13 instructs believers to "bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This highlights the importance of patience and forgiveness in maintaining harmony and unity among believers.

4. Forbearance and Self-Control: Forbearance is closely related to the fruit of the Spirit, particularly self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Forbearance, as an expression of patience and self-control, is a mark of spiritual maturity and growth.

5. Forbearance in Leadership: Leaders within the church are particularly encouraged to exhibit forbearance. In 2 Timothy 2:24 , Paul advises Timothy that "a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing." This underscores the importance of patience and restraint in guiding and teaching others.

Theological Implications

Forbearance is a reflection of God's character and His dealings with humanity. It underscores the grace and mercy extended to sinners, allowing time for repentance and reconciliation. For believers, practicing forbearance is a demonstration of Christ-like love and an essential component of Christian discipleship. It fosters community, promotes peace, and reflects the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.1. (imp.) of Forbear.

2. (v.) imp. of Forbear.

The Argument E Contrario.
... why he has been silent as to the virgin; allowing, to wit, the virgin to be understood
in the woman by the self-same reason by which he forbore to name the boy ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter viii the argument e contrario.htm

Not that Light, but a Witness.
... But they forbore to meet him in the open field, and resolved to send a deputation,
which might extract some admission from his lips that would furnish them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/viii not that light but.htm

Elucidations.
... Modestly he owns that it passes his understanding. So Calvin forbore to comment
upon it, and owned to "headache" when he came to it. Footnotes: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/the works of dionysius/elucidations.htm

But the Other Maximian Galerius, Chosen by Diocletian for his Son ...
... in subverting the commonweal, there was no evil which his crimes did not deserve:
nevertheless he reigned most prosperously, as long as he forbore to defile ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap ix but the other.htm

Acts xiii. 42
... but put into them a longing desire for a second hearing, while in what he said he
dropped some seeds (eipon tina spermata) as it were, and forbore to solve ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxx acts xiii 42.htm

Peter Sinning and Repenting. Mt 26:73
... And Jesus looked in love; At once, as if by lightning struck,. His tongue forbore
to move. Delivered thus from Satan's snare. He starts, as from a sleep; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 91 peter sinning and.htm

The Brazen Serpent; Or, Looking to Jesus, John 3 14 15 16
... 16. 1 So did the Hebrew prophet raise The brazen serpent high, The wounded
felt immediate ease, The camp forbore to die. 2 "Look ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 119444444 the brazen serpent.htm

Letter cxxxvi. (AD 412. )
... studied by him in his letter. Although, however, he forbore from writing them,
he did not pass them over in silence. For he is wont to ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxxvi a d 412.htm

The Brazen Serpent; Or, Looking to Jesus. John 3:14-16.
... The brazen serpent high,. The wounded felt immediate ease,. The camp forbore to
die. "Look upward in the dying hour,. And live," the prophet cries; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 112 the brazen serpent.htm

Sin and Forgiveness Between Brethren.
... [Seeing the man's apparent willingness to pay, and knowing the hopelessness of his
offer to do so, the lord compassionately forbore to sell him and forgave him ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxiv sin and forgiveness between.htm

Forbore (1 Occurrence)
... of Forbear. Multi-Version Concordance Forbore (1 Occurrence). ... And it was told Saul
that David had escaped from Keilah, and he forbore to go forth. (DBY JPS WBS). ...
/f/forbore.htm - 7k

Forbids (6 Occurrences)

/f/forbids.htm - 8k

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)
... whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from
Keilah; and he forbore to go forth. (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 4 ...
/k/kei'lah.htm - 10k

Forborn (1 Occurrence)

/f/forborn.htm - 6k

Forbore: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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