Long suffering, or enduring hardship with patience, is a theme found throughout the Bible. Whether it’s through personal trials or facing persecution, the Bible encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting that God’s strength will carry them through. By looking at biblical examples of long suffering, we can gain inspiration for our own endurance in difficult times.
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What Does The Bible Say About Long Suffering
Exodus 34:6
“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness’”
This verse reveals the nature of God as compassionate and gracious, characterized by long suffering. It emphasizes His patience, love, and faithfulness towards humanity.
God’s long suffering is an invitation for us to repent, turn back to Him, and receive His mercy. It demonstrates His willingness to give us time and space to change, grow, and come to Him.
Psalm 86:15
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
This verse echoes the same sentiments as Exodus 34:6, affirming God’s character of long suffering, compassion, grace, and abounding love.
God’s long suffering should lead us to trust in His goodness and strive to reflect His character in our own lives, showing patience and compassion towards others.
Joel 2:13
“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”
This verse emphasizes that true repentance is not merely an outward display, but a genuine transformation of the heart. It encourages us to turn to God, who is gracious, compassionate, and slow to anger.
God’s long suffering extends to withholding judgment and calamity, giving us an opportunity to turn back to Him and experience His love and forgiveness.
Nehemiah 9:17
“But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore, you did not desert them.”
This verse reflects on God’s faithfulness to the Israelites throughout their history, despite their disobedience and rebellion. It highlights His forgiving nature, compassion, and long suffering.
God’s consistent love and patience remind us that even when we fail, He remains faithful and offers us the chance to repent, return, and receive His mercy.
Psalms 103:8
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
This verse reaffirms the characteristics of God as compassionate, gracious, and abounding in love. His long suffering towards us demonstrates His immense love and care.
Through God’s long suffering, we are encouraged to turn to Him for help, knowing that He understands our weaknesses and is willing to extend His patience and grace to us.
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
This verse assures us that God’s apparent delay in fulfilling His promises is not due to slowness but rather to His patience and desire for all to have an opportunity to repent and be saved.
God’s long suffering gives us hope, reminding us that He desires to bring salvation to all and calls us to share His patience and love by sharing the Gospel.
Numbers 14:18
“‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
This verse portrays God’s long suffering as an expression of His love and forgiveness, but it also warns of the consequences of persistent rebellion and sin.
While God is patient, His justice demands that sinful behavior should be addressed. Our response should be to acknowledge His long suffering, repent, and seek His forgiveness.
Psalm 145:8
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”
In this verse, the psalmist acknowledges the Lord’s character as gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love.
God’s long suffering is an expression of His abundant love, giving us ample time to turn to Him, seek forgiveness, and experience His mercy.
Jonah 4:2
“He prayed to the Lord, ‘Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.’”
This verse captures Jonah’s understanding of God’s nature as gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love.
The long suffering of God was evident in His willingness to spare the people of Nineveh when they repented, demonstrating His desire for all to turn from sin and receive His grace and mercy.
Exodus 22:27
“Because I am compassionate.”
In this short verse, God simply states that He is compassionate. His long suffering is derived from His inherent nature of love and care for humanity.
Knowing that God is compassionate should lead us to approach Him with humility, seeking His forgiveness and guidance in all circumstances.
Psalm 103:10
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”
This verse reminds us that God’s long suffering is demonstrated by not giving us the punishment we deserve for our sins.
God’s mercy and patience should motivate us to confess our sins, seek His forgiveness, and strive to live in a way that pleases Him.
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
This passage highlights God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. It underscores His long suffering towards us, renewing His mercy and compassion every day.
Knowing that God’s compassion never fails should inspire us to seek Him daily, relying on His grace to navigate the challenges of life.
Romans 2:4
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
This verse warns against taking God’s long suffering for granted and failing to recognize His kindness and patience as an opportunity for repentance.
God’s kindness and forbearance should motivate us to turn away from sin, seek His forgiveness, and experience the transformation that comes through repentance.
Nahum 1:3
“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.”
This verse highlights the connection between God’s long suffering and His power. While patient, He is also just, and His justice will find expression in due time.
God’s long suffering should lead us to humbly submit to His authority, seeking His forgiveness and righteousness.
Psalm 40:11
“Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.”
In this verse, the psalmist pleads for God’s mercy and protection, acknowledging His love and faithfulness.
God’s long suffering prompts us to seek His mercy, knowing that His love and faithfulness will guide and guard us through life’s challenges.
Romans 9:22
“What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?”
This verse addresses the concept of God’s long suffering even towards those who have hardened their hearts and persist in rebellion.
God’s patient endurance of sinners should serve as a warning and an invitation for us to respond to His grace and mercy before it is too late.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
This passage lists the fruits of the Spirit, which include forbearance. It portrays God’s long suffering as an attribute that is produced in the lives of believers through the work of the Holy Spirit.
As we yield to the Spirit’s guidance, we can grow in patience, demonstrating God’s long suffering in our relationships and interactions with others.
1 Peter 3:20
“God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it, only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.”
This verse recalls God’s long suffering during the time of Noah. He patiently waited for people to repent before bringing the flood.
God’s long suffering in this instance reminds us that His judgment is always preceded by warning and an opportunity for repentance.
2 Timothy 3:10
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance”
In this passage, Paul encourages Timothy by highlighting the importance of patience as a virtue in the Christian life.
As believers, we are called to emulate God’s long suffering, patience, and love in our interactions with others, showing grace and forgiveness.
Proverbs 19:11
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
This verse recognizes the connection between wisdom and patience. It emphasizes the value of forgiving and overlooking offenses, displaying God’s long suffering in our relationships.
As we grow in wisdom and grace, we can cultivate patience and extend forgiveness, reflecting God’s character to the world.
Ephesians 4:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
This verse encourages believers to embody humility, gentleness, and patience in their interactions with others.
Our ability to bear with one another in love, even in difficult circumstances, mirrors God’s long suffering and contributes to unity within the body of Christ.
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
This verse calls upon believers to manifest God’s long suffering and other godly virtues in their daily lives.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can display God’s love and patience to the world, pointing others to the grace and mercy found in Christ.
Romans 15:5
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.”
This verse encourages believers to adopt the attitude of long suffering exemplified by Jesus towards others.
By relying on God’s strength and seeking His guidance, we can extend patience, understanding, and forgiveness, promoting unity and reconciliation within the body of Christ.
James 5:7-8
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm because the Lord’s coming is near.”
This passage urges believers to cultivate patience in their lives, reminding them of the ultimate return of the Lord.
As we wait for Christ’s return, we are called to remain steadfast, trusting in God’s timing and long suffering as He works out His purposes in our lives and in the world.