Patience From God Will Help You Endure Life Troubles

Patience allows us to go through all things without worry. It teaches us to wait on the Lord and not act or react too soon. We need it to receive God’s promise of a life forever with Him. So endure until the end and get your reward!

Summary

Ephesians 4:1-3

Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, I encourage you to live as people worthy of the call you received from God. 2 Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other with love, 3 and make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together. (CEB)

Think about this

Welcome to the fourth Bible study in the ‘Fruit of the Spirit series’. The topic is PATIENCE also known as long-suffering. Patience allows us to go through all things in peace. It teaches us to wait on the Lord and not act or react too soon. This grace helps us stay calm and at ease as we wait for a positive outcome. Has God been patient with you? Be patient with and show love to the Lord and others.

Key Points:

1. Your reward

   The Lord set the example of true (genuine) patience. You received this grace when you were born again. Now learn how to use it ♥; eternal life is your reward. Yet for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might show forth his unlimited patience, as a pattern for those who would believe in him for eternal life [1 Timothy 1:16 (RKJNT)].

2. A good result

   Stop complaining about your situation, be patient and endure with genuine joy (from the Holy Spirit)! My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. 3 You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. 4 If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be [James 1:2-4 (ERV)].

3. Endure troubles

   Do not let your current struggles (lifes troubles) cloud your view of the heavenly kingdom. You can take it, endure with the Lord’s help. Be happy in your hope. Do not give up when trouble comes. Do not let anything stop you from praying [Romans 12:12 (NLV)].

G5278 patience here is from ὑπομένω hupomeno (hï-po-me’-nō) v. 1. to remain under or behind. 2. (figuratively) to endure, to undergo (trials). 3. (by implication) to have fortitude.

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Fruit of the Spirit

As a child of God, you have this quality—patience—through the Holy Spirit. It is a gift from God to help you.

Galatians 5:22

Continuing with the Fruit of the Spirit—Galatians 5:22—patience from the Greek makrothumia (mak-roth-oo-mee’-ah) translated as longsuffering ten of twelve times by the King James translators and twice as patience. I reviewed ten King James revisions {including the NKJV} only the RKJNT used the word patience instead of longsuffering in Galatians 5:22.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (KJV)

G3115 from the Greek μακροθυμία makrothumia (ma-kro-thï-miy’-a) n. patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (RKJNT)

makrothumia

Non-Catholic English translators from Tyndale, 1534, through Godbey, 1902, have used longsuffering for makrothumia. Weymouth, 1903, appears to be the first to use patience, actually “patience towards others”.

Longsuffering and patience are the most common translation. However, there are other words and phrases used for makrothumia. Some of them are:

• forbearance – Twentieth Century NT; Open English Bible; NIV.
• good temper – James Moffat.
• a quiet mind – Bible in Basic English.
• not giving up – New Life Version.
• tolerance – Jubilee 2000.
• leniency – Apostolic Bible Polygot.

Definitions

Patience is the state or quality of being patient. To suffer with staying power. Going through wrongs, poverty, insult, etc. with a good attitude and without giving up. The ability to handle pain or difficult times calmly and without complaining.

It is in reliance on God and acceptance of His will, with trust in His goodness, wisdom and faithfulness, that we are enabled to endure and to hope stedfastly. – ISBE

A patient person waits long for justice or expected good without sadness or anxiety. One who is calm, considerate of others, and understanding. According to the MacMillan dictionary they have “the ability to continue doing something for a long time without losing interest, especially something difficult.”

The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. – Oxford Dictionary

Synonyms

• Endurance – the ability to withstand hardship, pain, or stress without resistance.
• Forbearance – the act of enduring, tolerating, patience, longsuffering, etc.; self-control. The use of patience.
• Longsuffering – Bearing injuries or hassle for a long time. Patient endurance of pain or unhappiness; patient; not easily provoked.
• Fortitude – Firm courage; patient endurance of misfortune, pain, etc.
• Lenient – Indulgent (tolerant or forbearing); merciful; not severe or harsh; mild.
• Perseverance – The action, condition, or instance of persisting in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement.

Other KJV usage for makrothumia: longsuffering, patience Hebrews 6:12 and James 5:10.

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Hello

I am PATIENCE

The caption does not give the wording in the picture. I did this to make it easy to translate into other languages. So, the message in the picture is:

Hello, I am Patience, get to know me:

• I do not get angry easily.
• I choose not to give up.
• I go through hardships with joy and hope.
• I am gentle.
• I never get tired of waiting for the outcome.
• I do not complain about anything.
• I can help make your life better; learn how to use me.

Who needs it?

Patience no matter how you express it—a grace, gift, or virtue—must be a part of you. It is one of the qualifying traits of church leaders, especially Bishops, Overseers, or Elders [1 Timothy 3:3].

G1933 patient in 1 Timothy 3:3 is from the Greek ἐπιεικής epieikes (e-piy-ei-kees’) adj. equitable, fair, mild, gentle.

In fact, since patience is one of the attributes of the Holy Spirit, the Lord knew all followers of Christ need it. James urges you to be patient while you wait on the Lord. My friends, be patient until the Lord returns. Think of farmers who wait patiently for the spring and summer rains to make their valuable crops grow. 8 Be patient like those farmers and don’t give up. The Lord will soon be here [James 5:7-8 (CEV)]!

G3114 patient/patiently in James 5:7-8 is from the Greek μακροθυμέω makrothumeo (ma-kro-thï-me’-ō) v. to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles.

All servants of God

The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind (gentle) to all, able to teach, and patient when wronged. ²⁵ He should instruct those who oppose using meekness. Perhaps God will give them repentance that they may know the truth. [2 Timothy 2:24-25 (NSB)].

G420 patient in 2 Timothy 2:24 is from the Greek ἀνεξίκακος anexikakos (a-ne-xiy’-ka-kos) adj. enduring of ill, that is, forbearing:—patient.

♥ Questions for ‘Hello’: If you are a servant of God, do you use patience?

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Endurance

This study focuses on two Greek words for patience, hupomone and its root word hupomeno. FYI, hupomone is the most used form of patience in the Bible.

Endure Life Troubles

Not only that, but we also rejoice in our tribulations knowing that tribulation produces endurance [patience]. 4 Tribulation produces an approved condition and an approved condition produces hope. 5 Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. It comes through Holy Spirit, which is God’s gift to us [Romans 5:3-5 (NSB)].

G5281 patience in Romans 5:3 is from the Greek ὑπομονή hupomone (hï-po-mo-nee’) n. endurance (cheerful or hopeful), constancy. One who does not allow troubles or hardships to prevent the pursuit of purpose by standing firm in faith.

• Other KJV usage for ‘hupomone’: enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting)

Romans 15:5

All patience and encouragement come from God. And I pray that God will help you all agree with each other, as Christ Jesus wants. (ERV)

Endurance – Going through hard times, suffering, and life troubles without giving up. In the Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words gave this statement as part of the definition of the Greek word hupomone:

“Patience perfects Christian character, James 1:4, and fellowship in the patience of Christ is therefore the condition upon which believers are to be admitted to reign with Him, [2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 1:9]. For this patience believers are ‘strengthened with all power,’ [Colossians 1:11], ‘through His Spirit in the inward man,’ [Ephesians 3:16].

IMPORTANT: I urge you to always use the translation/revision that your congregation uses or that you are most comfortable. The other translations and revisions are available for reference; if you find that they confuse you please do not use them.

Live forever

Jesus said he that endures (is patient) to the end will be saved (live forever; have eternal life). The ultimate outcome of endurance is salvation or you live forever with the Lord. So one could conclude that (one reason) you will receive eternal life or live forever is because of your patience (i.e., you endured and remained faithful).

Matthew 10:22

And you will be hated by everyone for being loyal to me. But the person who endures [this persecution by remaining faithful] to the end [of his life] is the one who will be saved [i.e., from spiritual and physical destruction]. (AUV)

Hebrews 10:36 and 39

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 39 We are not of those people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith to be saved from the punishment of sin. (NLV)

♥ Question for ‘Endurance’: Do you have the patience to endure until the end so you can live forever with the Lord?

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Patience wrap-up

Psalms 62:5-7

Yet, truly, my soul will be subject to God. For from him is my patience. 6 For he is my God and my Savior. He is my helper; I will not be expelled. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory. He is the God of my help, and my hope is in God. (CPDV)

There is no doubt that we get true patience from God. He is the source and perfect example to follow.

James 5:9-11

Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned: behold, the judge stands before the door. 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count as happy those who endured.

You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the outcome the Lord brought about; that the Lord is full of compassion, and of tender mercy. (RKJNT)

God is patient

Romans 2:1-4

So you have no reason, whoever you are, for judging: for in judging another you are judging yourself, for you do the same things. 2 And we are conscious that God is a true judge against those who do such things. 3 But you who are judging another for doing what you do yourself, are you hoping that God’s decision will not take effect against you?

4 Or is it nothing to you that God had pity on you, waiting and putting up with you for so long, not seeing that in his pity God’s desire is to give you a change of heart? (BBE)

Yes, my friend, true patience comes from God our Savior, helper, and hope. Learn to use the patience that comes from God through His Holy Spirit. You know me, O Lord. Remember me, and visit me, and watch over me, because of those who persecute me. In your patience, do not choose to let me endure. You know I have suffered reproach because of you [Jeremiah 15:15 (CPDV)].

Please do not leave yet I want to give you something to remember. The final verse for you.

Colossians 3:12-13

Therefore, clothe yourselves like the elect of God: holy and beloved, with hearts of mercy, kindness, humility, modesty, and patience. 13 Support one another, and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive one another. For just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also must you do. (CPDV)

Patience is the Spirit enabled self-control proving the gift to calmly and willingly endure and put up with delay, problems, and inconvenience. Be faithful to God, patiently endure life troubles, and know that you will life forever with the Lord.

Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim ☺.

Outline

Note: parenthesis (#) enclose the key verses.

Summary: Ephesians 4:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (16); James 1:2-8 (2-4); Romans 12:9-21 (12).

Fruit of the Spirit: Colossians 1:9-18 (11); Galatians 5:16-26 (22).

Hello: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (3); James 5:1-12 (7-8); 2 Timothy 2:14-26 (24-26).

Endurance: Romans 5:1-5 (3-5); Matthew 10:16-26 (22); Romans 15:1-5 (5); Hebrews 10:26-39 (36 and 39).

Wrap-up: Psalms 62:5-7; James 5:6-11 (9-11); Romans 2:1-16 (1-4); Jeremiah 15:15-18 (15); Colossians 3:12-17 (12-13).

Related studies, lessons, and snacks for further spiritual growth:

Fruit of the Spirit; Helpful Qualities Just For You! – an estimated 19-minute read.

Better Life Through Christ Becomes Eternal Life With Christ – an estimated 4-minute read.

Comfort From God the Source of All Good Comfort – an estimated 15-minute read.

Warning About Arrogance: Your Guide To Revealing Its Impact – an estimated 7-minute read.

♥ Question for “patience”: Are you impatient with other people and/or with God?

See the latest on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

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Copyright information:

Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible Scripture quoted by permission. || Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission. || (ERV) Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and used by permission. || Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Sources

ISBE-International Standard Bible Encyclopedia || Oxford Disctionary || Macmillan Dictionary || Weymouth || G1933 biblehub.com || G420 lexiconcordance.com || Vine’s Expository Dictionary