The Zone Gathering

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…” (Galatians 5:22).”

Let me begin by saying that patience is one of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit that I struggle to exhibit. In my own power, I am so not a patient person, as many of you can attest! What a relief that the Holy Spirit Himself is patient with me and desires to grow this fruit in my life!

Two Types of Patience

In the New Testament, two important Greek words are translated into the English word patience. The first is hupomone, which possesses the meaning we most often associate with patience. It means “to persevere, remain under, bear up under,” referring to that quality of character which does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succomb under trial. The word hupomone is often translated “endurance” or “perseverance” in the NIV. Hupomone is rooted in hope (the Greek word for “hope” is elpis, which means “desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it”).

Consider Job — he is biblical standard-bearer of hupomone. Even when he loses his family, his possessions, and his own health, he refrains from cursing God. I love how Beth Moore puts it in Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit: “Job could not ‘find’ God, but he knew without a doubt that God had not lost him….In the midst of circumstances which continually testified that nothing good could ever be obtained, Job persevered, fueled by his hope that, ‘when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.’”

Romans 8:28 illustrates hupomone rooted in hope in this way: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Other biblical passages highlight the importance of possessing hupomone, promising that by persevering God will richly reward us (Heb. 10:35-36), enable us to run the race marked out for us (Heb. 12:1-2), make our faith complete (James 1:2-4), obtain the salvation and eternal glory found in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10), and reign with Jesus (2 Tim. 2:12).

As much as we need patience rooted in hope (hupomone), we also need patience rooted in mercy (makrothumia). It is this second Greek word Paul uses in Galatians 5:22: “The fruit of the Spirit is…makrothumia.”

Makrothumia: Spirit-given Patience

According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament,”makrothumia means “to be long-suffering.” It indicates forbearance and self-restraint before taking action. It also represents “the quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so.” In short, makrothumia is “patience in respect to persons while hupomone, endurance, is putting up with things or circumstances.” It comes from the Greek verb makrothumeo, which means “to be patient, to bear with, literally, to be long-tempered” (Luke 18:7; 1 Thess. 5:14; James 5:7-8).

We saw earlier that hupomone is inspired by hope. Makrothumia, on the other hand, is rooted in mercy. In fact, everywhere we discover the word makrothumia, we find some form of mercy. The Greek word for mercy present in patience is eleos, which means “mercy, compassion, active pity, with the sense of goodness in general, especially piety.”

Why would Paul use the word makrothumia for the quality of the fruit of the Spirit, instead of hupomone? Again, I find what Beth Moore says enlightening: “When it comes to prioritizing between circumstances and people, God is obviously going to choose people. How we respond to circumstances (hupomone) is important, but how we respond to others (makrothumia) is critical.”

Characteristics of Makrothumia

At this point, it is probably clear to you that true makrothumia is impossible except when expressed by God through us. As humans, we are not naturally merciful beings. Our pride tends to discourage “long-suffering” when it comes to the faults of others. But makrothumia is part of God’s very nature. Just as God exercised patience for 120 years waiting for Noah to complete the ark before bringing the world to judgment (1 Peter 3:20; Genesis 6-9:17), so He delays His judgment on the world’s sin today: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting any one to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). In short, “our Lord’s patience means salvation“ (2 Pet. 3:15).

Here are some other insights from Scripture about this fruit of the Spirit known as patience (makrothumia):

- God Himself is long-suffering (Rom. 2:4)
- As servants of God, we must cultivate patience (2 Cor. 6:6; Eph. 4:2)
- Patience is attained by walking diligently in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:10-11)
- Jesus Christ has perfect patience (1 Tim. 1:16)
- As disciples, we are to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:2)
- We are called to be patient until the coming of the Lord (James 5:7-8)
- We are to “be patient with all men” (1 Thess. 5:14)

If you think about it, true patience (makrothumia) doesn’t really allow room for judgment of others. An opposite practice from makrothumia (patience rooted in mercy), is krino, which means “to pass judgment upon, condemn, take vengeance on.” Think about all of the biblical passages that warn us against judging others (Matt. 7:1-5; Rom. 2:1-4; James 4:11-12; John 8:14-18). These passages reveal several reasons not to judge others:

1. When we judge others, we cause God to be harder on us, because we do many of the same things we condemn in others.
2. We do not always know the whole truth. As mere humans, we do not have access to men’s hearts the way God does.
3. When we judge others, we are judging God.
4. Only God’s judgment is always righteous. Ours will always be tainted by our sinful nature.
5. In judging others, we usurp Jesus Christ’s authority as the true Judge.

Ouch! I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to pass judgment on others and reading these Scriptures confirms just how inept and unqualified I am to do so. Isn’t it interesting that so much of Jesus’ teaching focused on the consequences of judging others as well as its opposite– extending mercy and forgiveness?

The life of a disciple must be characterized by makrothumia, which is impossible without being able to extend forgiveness to others for the wrongs they inflict on us. Forgiveness and patience go hand in hand. Look at how many times Jesus teaches forgiveness in the New Testament (e.g., Luke 6:37; Matt. 6:14-15). Forgiveness of our sins is tied to our forgiveness of others! And we all know this to be true: unforgiveness tends to hurt us more than the people who wronged us. When we carry bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts, we give Satan the opportunity to steal our peace and prevent the growth of the fruit of the Spirit.

Challenge

It can be difficult to demonstrate patience with others, particularly when they have done something hurtful or sinful and judgment seems easier than extending mercy and forgiving them. But if we are serious about becoming more like Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us and grow His fruit through us, we must let go of our pride and abandon notions of avenging ourselves. It is hard, but the rewards of makrothumia far outweigh the consequences of allowing unforgiveness and judgment to become strongholds in our lives.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Col. 3:12-13)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 at 9:00 am and is filed under Bible Drills. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.