S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

There are two Greek words translated as "patience" in the New Testament. Hupomonc means "a remaining under," as when one bears up under a burden. It refers to steadfastness in difficult circumstanc...

Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.

July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Andy Mangus Supporter I am a Christian since October 1979 & devoted truth seeker.

I have a 'short and sweet' answer that came to me just now, which is this: Immediately, in any situation you find yourself in when your patience is being tested or tried by 'time of response to any thought, deed or action that either needs to be taken now or shortly, I suggest this process: {just do this and think this way with steadfast conviction as a Child of The Most High God}--"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind and spirit and He will direct your every path and every thought and every deed, by putting your faith in His hands to keep you on His narrow path of righteousness, for He is our protector, our guide and 'everlasting to everlasting' Eternal SAVIOR!" Thank You, Lord Jesus! ~~Andy~~

February 28 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is patience (fruit of the Holy Spirit)?

Patience, a key fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), is a godly virtue enabling believers to endure long-term hardships and difficult people without complaint or retaliation. Rooted in the Greek word makrothumia (long-tempered), it involves actively trusting God's timing rather than just waiting, and it represents divine strength rather than weakness.

Examples and Manifestations

Bearing with Others: Showing love and patience towards challenging people (Ephesians 4:2).

Waiting on God: Trusting in God's promises despite delays, as demonstrated by Old Testament figures like Abraham.

Enduring Suffering: Maintaining a positive, trusting posture during prolonged, difficult situations (e.g., chronic illness or unfair treatment).

Self-Restraint: Choosing to trust in God's justice rather than taking revenge or becoming reactive.

How Patience is Developed

According to this, the fruit is cultivated by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, often through situations that require us to wait and depend on God's strength. As discussed, it is a sign of spiritual maturity rather than weakness.

Because it is a "fruit of the Spirit," this type of patience is not something humans can fully produce on their own through willpower.

A Gift from God: It is a supernatural result of the Holy Spirit working within a person who is yielded to God's lead.

Mirroring God: Believers are called to be patient because God is "slow to anger" and patient with humanity, giving all the opportunity for repentance.

WHAT PATIENCE MEANS

In the Biblical sense of the word, patience is more than simply putting up with a trying situation. A person with godly patience endures with a purpose. He sees beyond his own needs and considers the welfare of the person causing an unpleasant situation. For this reason, when a patient person is wronged or provoked, he refuses to give up hope of improving the disturbed relationship. Little wonder, then, that the Bible lists being "patient" as the first of many fine qualities that stem from love. (1 Cor. 13:4) God's Word also includes "patience" as an aspect of "the fruitage of the spirit." (Gal. 5:22, 23) 

Conclusion

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PATIENT?

A patient person is slow to anger. He tries to stay calm and avoid retaliating when provoked or under stress.

A patient person can wait calmly. If something takes longer than expected, such a person tries to avoid becoming restless or irritable. (Matt. 18:26, 27) There are many situations in which we need to wait calmly. For example, we need to listen patiently while someone is speaking, without interrupting. (Job 36:2) 

A patient person is not rash. Granted, some situations require quick action. However, when a patient person has an important task to accomplish, he does not rush into it, nor rush through it. Rather, he sets aside a reasonable amount of time to plan what he will do. 

A patient person strives to bear trials without complaining. In this sense, patience is closely related to endurance. Of course, it is not wrong to open up to a close friend and express how we feel about a trial. However, a patient person will do their best to continue enduring while maintaining a positive attitude. (Col. 1:11) 

Patience is essential for our salvation. Like faithful servants of the past, we need to wait patiently for God to fulfil his promises. (Heb. 6:11, 12) 

Meditate on Bible examples. The Bible contains many examples of patient people. By meditating on those accounts, we can learn ways to demonstrate patience. 

Why not make it a study project to examine such examples?

When we are patient, we imitate our heavenly Father and draw even closer to him.

April 22 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report