The God of Patience
This is one of those attributes of God that you hardly ever hear people speak about, but I have been both encouraged and challenged by the patience of God. Encouraged when I look back and see just how patient He has been with me—and challenged, because I know how impatient I often am!
But when we speak of the patience of God, what are we really talking about? Most of us have needed patience at a stoplight, in traffic, or maybe while waiting in a long line somewhere. We might be a little short on patience in those moments! However, those examples are not what we mean when we speak of the patience of God. Why not? Because God is never described as being patient about things or circumstances. Why? Because He knows all things!
When we talk about the patience of God, we’re not primarily referring to enduring difficult circumstances, but rather to His long-suffering attitude toward people.
Defining the Terms
There are three words often used to describe the patience of God: patience, long-suffering, and forbearance.
According to Strong’s Concordance and Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, synonyms for forbearance include self-restraint, tolerance, and putting up with something. Forbearance is usually viewed as a short-term restraint or act of tolerance. Romans 3:25 offers an example of this.
Long-suffering is similar to forbearance in both meaning and application. However, the key difference is that long-suffering—just as the word implies—is not just exercised in the moment, but developed and displayed over a long course of many similar experiences.
According to Strong’s and Thayer’s definitions, the Greek word for long-suffering is makrothumeo, a compound of makro (meaning “long” in terms of time or space) and thumeo (meaning “wrath”). So, makrothumeo literally means to go a long time before exercising wrath. It suggests a restraint that is more enduring than simple forbearance.
In Romans 2:4, Paul writes:
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
Here, God is described as both forbearing and long-suffering, and both qualities are said to come from the “riches of His goodness.”
In God’s case, this does not imply a progression from forbearance to long-suffering. Rather, both attributes exist fully and perfectly within Him. While the words are sometimes used interchangeably in different Bible translations, there is a close connection between them—and at times, they are almost inseparable.
God Is the God of Patience
Paul refers to God as “the God of patience” in Romans 15:5—not only because He is the author and source of patience, but because patience is essential to His very nature. So how does God reveal Himself as the God of patience?
Patience in the Old Testament
Many Old Testament passages reveal this aspect of God’s character, but three especially highlight His patience in connection with His grace, mercy, and goodness:
- Exodus 34:6 – “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.”
- Numbers 14:18 – “The Lord is long-suffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty…”
- Psalm 86:15 – “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in mercy and truth.”
We also see this in Nehemiah 9:17 and again in Psalm 103:8.
The Patience of God with Sinful Humanity
Paul was deeply aware of God’s patience when he wrote:
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all long-suffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (1 Tim. 1:15–16)
Peter reminds us of God’s patience during Noah’s time:
“…the Divine long-suffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared…” 1 Pet. 3:20
That was a period of 120 years! Peter also speaks of God’s current patience:
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Pet. 3:9
If we look closely, to whom is this patience directed? The context (2 Pet. 3:1, 8–9) reveals that Peter is addressing “the beloved”—those who have “obtained like precious faith” (2 Pet. 1:1). This patience, then, is toward God’s elect in the midst of a wicked world. He is waiting for all who will repent.
The Patience of God with Israel
There are many Old Testament examples of God’s patience with Israel, but two New Testament passages summarize it well:
- Acts 13:18 – “Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness.”
- Romans 9:20–24 – These verses describe God’s long-suffering toward “vessels of wrath” and His mercy toward “vessels of mercy.” This includes both Jews and Gentiles, but especially reveals His patience with Israel.
The Patience of God Toward and Through His Servants
Think of how patient God was with Jonah. Jonah even acknowledges it:
“Ah, Lord… for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness…” Jonah 4:2
Paul also exhorts Timothy—and every preacher—to:
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2
Sometimes we expect others—new believers or fellow saints—to mature quickly. But we forget just how long it took usto grow, and how patient God has been with us!
The Fruit of Patience in the Life of the Believer
We have all experienced the patience of God. Sometimes we even joke, “Be patient with me—God’s not finished with me yet!” But while we want others to be patient with us, we’re not always willing to be patient with them.
However, if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, patience or long-suffering will be one of the fruits of that Spirit (Gal. 5:22). We are exhorted in Ephesians 4:2–3:
“With all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
If we are motivated by the love that God has poured into our hearts, then it should be displayed in our relationships. Two of the traits mentioned in the “love chapter” (1 Cor. 13) are: “love is patient” and “love suffers long.”
Paul knew how vital this was. In Colossians 1:9–11, he prays that believers would be strengthened for “all patience and long-suffering with joy.” Later, in Colossians 3:12–13, he writes:
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another… even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
A Final Challenge
Maybe one reason we see so many broken homes, fractured assemblies, and strained relationships is that we’ve lost sight of just how patient the God of Patience is. Maybe that’s why we’re so quick to discard or disregard one another.
May we view Him more and more as the God of Patience—and may He help us to reflect that same patience toward one another.
