An ancient concept can restore kindness and connection amid modern hostility.
The politicians are at it again. Not only do they have little positive to offer, but they aggressively try to keep their opposition from doing good.
There was a time when elected officials could disagree, talk it out, and compromise on solutions to serve the common good. Those days are gone. Now, we have name-calling, censorship of opposing ideas, and a complete collapse of civility.
Communication, civility, and courtesy have seemed to have exited everyday use. This is not just among the leaders but also among large numbers of the population with an ax to grind on social media or the streets.
Like the others I have mentioned, another word is attached to a particular behavior that is no longer a part of our vocabulary. In a society that prizes instant results and immediate gratification, the biblical word “longsuffering” feels like a relic of a bygone era. It’s not a term we encounter often today, but that’s precisely why we need it more than ever.
The Term and the Behavior
The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible uses the word, and that is how it entered our vocabulary. However, its meaning is lost on modern readers. We all love the language of the KJV, yet it no longer communicates to most people today unless they were raised with its antiquated words and odd syntax.
Biblical people like myself seek purity in the Scriptures. We want translators to use the earliest and best unmolested New Testament manuscripts, and we want translations to read like newspaper stories that all can grasp. After all, that is how the earliest Christians received the letters and scrolls before others translated and interpreted them.
The Biblical Concept of Longsuffering
Longsuffering is the art of enduring with patience and grace, even when the wait is long and the circumstances are difficult. It’s about perseverance, rooted in love and guided by faith. This ancient word, found frequently in the (KJV, conveys a depth of character and spiritual maturity that feels almost alien in our fast-paced, convenience-oriented culture.
But what if we, as Christians, rediscovered this virtue? What if we allowed its meaning to reshape our lives and approach to daily challenges? What if we began to practice longsuffering, and it spread worldwide?
To understand the word “longsuffering,” we must first examine its historical context. In the early English translations of the Bible, such as the KJV, translators chose “longsuffering” as a compound word to represent a Greek term that conveys patient endurance. The idea was not simply about waiting but enduring discomfort or pain without giving in to anger or bitterness.
The Old Testament Foundation
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word erek apayim, often translated as “slow to anger,” is closely related to the idea of longsuffering.
We see this description of God in passages like Exodus 34:6, where God reveals Himself to Moses as “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Here, longsuffering is part of God’s character. He shows patience with his people, giving them time to repent and return to him.
The New Testament Emphasis
In the New Testament, the Greek word makrothumia is often translated as longsuffering or patience. The Apostle Paul uses this word frequently, such as in Colossians 3:12-13, where he instructs believers to “put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
Longsuffering is about bearing with one another, even when it is difficult. It is a virtue that reflects the character of Christ, who endured the cross with patience and love for humanity.
A Counter-Cultural Virtue
Historically, longsuffering was seen as a strength, not a weakness. In ancient times, endurance was a prized virtue essential for survival. Whether in the context of a family struggling through hardship or a community under persecution, the ability to suffer long without losing hope or resorting to bitterness was admired and respected. It was an expression of maturity and wisdom.
The Relevance of Longsuffering Today
Fast-forward to our current culture, and we find that the concept of longsuffering is almost entirely absent. We live in a world of short tempers and quick solutions. Waiting is often seen as an inconvenience and enduring hardship must be avoided at all costs. Yet, the need for longsuffering in society has never been greater.
The Rise of Instant Gratification
We live in an age of instant everything. From fast food to same-day shipping, we are conditioned to expect quick results. However, this mindset does not prepare us well for the realities of life, which often require patience, perseverance, and a willingness to endure discomfort.
If something offends someone, even in a minor way, they often fly into a rage. They are self-serving and self-righteous, and they are unable to calm themselves. Rage is the emotion of our age.
In contrast, longsuffering teaches us to slow down, to trust in God’s timing, and to wait with grace without grumbling.
The Epidemic of Broken Relationships
One of the most evident areas where longsuffering is lacking is in our relationships. Divorce rates, broken friendships, and fractured families are evidence of our collective inability to bear with one another.
The Bible calls us to “bear with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2, ESV), but this requires a willingness to endure misunderstandings, conflicts, and disappointments. Longsuffering is the antidote to a throwaway culture that discards people when they no longer meet our expectations.
The World is in Need of Hopeful Endurance
In times of crisis—whether personal, national, or global—the virtue of longsuffering shines brightest. The quiet, steadfast hope sustains us when nothing else makes sense. In Romans 5:3-4, Paul writes, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
Longsuffering is part of this transformative process, helping us develop a deeper, more resilient faith.
Practicing Longsuffering in Daily Life
Understanding the concept of longsuffering is one thing, but how do we apply it to our lives today? It’s not enough to admire this virtue from a distance; we must actively practice it daily, especially when it’s difficult to do.
In Our Families
Longsuffering begins at home, where we often encounter the people who can irritate us the most. It’s easy to snap at a spouse or child after a long day, but this is precisely where longsuffering comes into play.
Instead of reacting with frustration, we can choose to respond with patience and grace. Colossians 3:13 reminds us to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.”
In Our Churches
The church is called to be a place of unity, but unity requires patience and forbearance. Differences in opinions, preferences, and backgrounds can lead to conflict, but longsuffering helps us navigate these challenges with love.
Longsuffering means being willing to listen, to forgive, and to seek reconciliation, even when it’s uncomfortable.
In Our Communities and Country
If people were more longsuffering in our communities, we would have harmony, not murders and protests in the streets. Crime would fade in the face of compassion. People would find ways to agree on solutions rather than belittle each other.
Yes, an attitude of longsuffering may even reach Washington DC and other capitals. We could live in a new world if people were patient and kind to each other instead of being in a state of perpetual rants. Christians could be the spark that ignites a new type of warmth among people. It all starts with our personal life in Christ.
In Our Personal Walk with God
Longsuffering shapes our relationship with God and with others. Sometimes, we pray and do not receive immediate answers or go through seasons of difficulty without understanding why. In these moments, longsuffering becomes an act of faith, trusting that God’s plan is perfect even when it doesn’t align with our timetable.
As James 5:7-8 encourages us, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it.”
Embracing Longsuffering as a Way of Life
Longsuffering is not just a word from an old translation of the Bible; it is a vital and relevant practice for today. It challenges us to slow down, bear with others, and trust God’s perfect timing.
By embracing this forgotten virtue, we can transform our relationships, deepen our faith, and become more like Christ. As people embrace longsuffering, all levels of society will benefit. We will live in a more harmonious world as a result.
The call to action is clear: let us commit to practicing longsuffering in our daily lives, bearing with one another in love and trusting that, through endurance, we will see the fruit of God’s work in our lives.
In a world that celebrates the quick and the convenient, be a person who chooses the path of longsuffering. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. As we lean into this ancient wisdom, we may find that it’s the key to a life of lasting joy, deep connection, and true spiritual growth.
Sources cited: Unless otherwise noted, Bible quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV).
