LONG-SUFFERING

Be Long-Suffering Towards All

1 Thess 5:14



Long-suffering does not mean to suffer long.

Long-suffering involves deliberate restraint. It is the patient endurance of wrong or provocation, 

combined with a refusal to give up hope for improvement in a disturbed relationship.

Long-suffering has been defined as "that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish." (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W.E. Vine; Vol 3, page 12)

Long-suffering has a purpose, looking for the welfare of the one causing disturbance. Yes, long-suffering is exercised for the benefit of the one doing wrong. It does not mean condoning of wrong. When the purpose for long-suffering is accomplished, or when there is no point in further putting up with the situation, long-suffering ends. It ends with either good to those giving provocation or with action against the wrong doers. Either way the one exercising long-suffering is not harmed in spirit.

Jehovah God is foremost among those who are "slow to anger", displaying long-suffering.

"...Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth..." -Exodus 34:6

(Compare: Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 86:15; 103:8; 145:8;

 Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nahum 1:3)

Because Jehovah is infinite in power and wisdom, perfect in justice and love, we would expect him to be "slow to anger", yes long-suffering. Jehovah has full control of his qualities, keeping them in perfect balance at all times.  We can be recipients of Jehovah's long-suffering!

Long-suffering originates with Jehovah and is a fruit of his spirit. 

When God's servants manifest godly patience or long-suffering, they do so under the influence of the holy spirit.  This does not mean, that Jehovah imposes his spirit upon a person. We must willingly yield to it's  influence.  (2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 4:30) We allow the spirit to act in our lives by cultivating its fruits in all we do. After explaining the works of the flesh and then the fruit of the spirit, Paul added: "If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking orderly also by spirit... Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap; because he that is sowing with a view to the flesh will reap corruption from his flesh, but he who is sowing with a view to the spirit will reap everlasting life from the spirit." - Galatians 5:25; 6:7, 8

If we are to be successful in cultivating long-suffering, we must also cultivate the rest of the fruitage produced in Christians by holy spirit.  May we always ask our Creator to help us manifest long-suffering in our dealings with others and may we do so with  Kindness.