The fruit of the spirit: Longsuffering
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” — (Galatians 5:22) I n the letter written to the congregations in the Galatian region, Paul warns of the works of the flesh, naming seventeen sins that will keep one from inheriting the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21), and after giving this warning he begins to list nine characteristics which must be found in the lives of every Christian, which is called the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:2223). The first three of these characteristics/qualities describe the inward qualities of man and the remainder describe the qualities man must have toward fellow man. These nine characteristics are more than suggestive but just as Jesus commands those that abide in Him “bear fruit” (John 15:1-6), the fruit of the Spirit must be seen in the lives of those that desire to inherit the kingdom of God. The story is told of the man that prayed for patience, praying, “Lord, give me patience and give it to me now”. Patience is something that many do not have. We live in a time of instant everything and high-speed access to all things. If we want to communicate with someone on the other side of the world, we can do so with just the push of a button. If we want to hear the news of the day, we no longer have to wait for the nightly news or the newspapers, but we are supplied with constant coverage of the news around the world on the many forms of media available today. Several years ago, a ketchup company advertised “best things come to those who wait” but those were the “good old days” when life seemed to move at a slower pace, and mankind seemed to have more patience with one another.
The list of the fruit of the Spirit uses the word “long-suffering” (Gal. 5:22) but modern translations use the word “patience” which carries the same idea. A quick search shows the word “long-suffering” is used seventeen times and patience is used thirty-four times. Most of the time these two words are used interchangeably and carry the idea of endurance, steadfastness, perseverance, or forbearance.
Long-suffering signifies enduring hardship, resisting the urge for retaliation, and maintaining composure in the face of trials. The Greek word translated “long-suffering” conveys the idea of being “long-tempered rather than quick to anger”. God is long-suffering, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin (Exodus 34:6-7).
In the description of love, written to the church in Corinth, Paul writes, love “suffers long and is kind” (1 Cor. 13:4). Patience is an attribute of God and is something that God commands from us.
There are several examples of the patience that is required of each Christian in both the Old and New Testaments. God’s patience with the Israelites is seen repeatedly, as they had a habitual problem of turning away from Him, turning to idolatry, and crying out for deliverance from God. The New Testament reveals that God is long-suffering to us, desiring that everyone come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus is our ultimate example of long-suffering throughout His life and sacrifice upon the cross for the sin of the world, and although He was beaten, mocked, and crucified, He did not revile against His accusers and, while on the cross, He prayed for the forgiveness of those crucifying Him (Luke 23:24).
The apostle Paul would face many trials in his missionary work and would pray that the thorn in his flesh be removed from him but was told “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor. 12:9), and would endure all things until the time of his departure was at hand (2 Tim.
4:6). Of course we cannot mention patience without mentioning Job, one who suffered greatly, and was accused by those closest to him, and is used as an illustration of patience in the New Testament (James 5:11).
Long-suffering is not merely about waiting but is about enduring trials with faith, patience, and love. As we continue to grow closer to God, we must continue to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit and glorify our Father which is in heaven.
Jeremy Thornton is Minister of Highway 77 Church of Christ in Marion, Arkansas.
Long-suffering signifies enduring hardship, resisting the urge for retaliation, and maintaining composure in the face of trials. The Greek word translated “longsuffering” conveys the idea of being “long-tempered rather than quick to anger”. God is long-suffering, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin (Exodus 34:6-7). In the description of love, written to the church in Corinth, Paul writes, love “suffers long and is kind” (1 Cor. 13:4). Patience is an attribute of God and is something that God commands from us.
Jeremy Thornton
Minute with the Minister
