Koine Foundations

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

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Word Focus
patience
μακροθυμία
makrothumia
<Hear It>

I am patient
μακροθυμέω
makrothumeō
<Hear It>

In this post I continue with comments about the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit is nine character virtues which result when a Christian’s life is controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit. They are spiritual expressions of a life transformed by Jesus Christ. The word focus for this post is the noun patience – μακροθυμία / makrothumia, and the related verb I am patient – μακροθυμέω / makrothumeō.

Patience is the personal attribute that gives one the ability to exercise restraint when provoked by others, or to endure difficult circumstances, especially if they are long term. Patience is tested by the severity and injustice of the provocation, the level of discomfort and pain experienced, and the delay in resolving the difficulty.

Patience is foremost an attribute of God which He exercises to allow people time to repent from evil and to be saved (2 Peter 3:9; 2 Peter 3:15). As the Apostle Peter wrote in his letter entitled Second Peter:

It is not that the Lord is slow about His promise, as some reckon slowness. Rather, He is patient with you – not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

The “promise” referred to in this verse is the promise of the return of Jesus Christ (see 2 Peter 3:4). That return is to complete the work of salvation and punish the wicked who have not repented.

However, because of His kindness, God restrains Himself and delays the just punishment for evil that people deserve (Romans 2:4). Those who repent are delivered from the punishment. For those who do not repent, the punishment is simply delayed.

Believers are to be like God and show patience towards all people (1 Thessalonians 5:14). This includes:

• Making allowance for other’s faults (Ephesians 4:2).
• Putting up with others even when severely provoked.
• Not responding with anger or disrespect (James 1:19-20).
• Not retaliating for any wrong done to you, even if self-vindication appears to be justified (1 Peter 3:9-10).

Overall, patience is a quality that is controlled by love (1 Corinthians 13:4).

Interestingly, this Greek word is nearly always used in the New Testament in relation to patience shown towards people, rather than in relation to waiting for something one desires or for the outcome of events.

Here are links to all the posts for the Fruit of the Spirit:

Fruit of the Spirit
Love – ἀγάπη / agapē
Joy – χαρά / chara
Peace – εἰρήνη / eirēnē
Patience – μακροθυμία / makrothumia
Kindness – χρηστότης / chrēstotēs
Goodness – ἀγαθωσύνη / agathōsunē
Faithfulness – πίστις / pistis
Gentleness – πραΰτης / praütēs
Self-Control – ἐγκράτεια / egkrateia

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Word Focus Lexicon

Lexical Form: ἡ μακροθυμία μακροθυμίας <Hear It>
Gloss: patience
Part of Speech: First Declension Feminine Noun
New Testament Frequency: 14
Strong’s Number: G3115 (Link to Blue Letter Bible Lexicon)

Lexical Form: μακροθυμέω <Hear It>
Gloss: I am patient
Part of Speech: Omega Contract Verb
New Testament Frequency: 10
Strong’s Number: G3114 (Link to Blue Letter Bible Lexicon)

Unless otherwise noted, English translations of Bible verses are by the author from the Greek text and are not quotations from any copyrighted Bible version or translation.