Patience — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Ability to take a great deal of punishment from evil people or circumstances without losing one’s temper, without becoming irritated and angry, or without taking vengeance. It includes the capacity to bear pain or trials without complaint, the ability to forbear under severe provocation, and the self-control that keeps one from acting rashly even though suffering opposition or adversity.

The usual Hebrew expression for patience is related to the verb “to be long” and involves the idea of being long to get riled or slow to become angry. Two different Greek words were translated by the KJB translators with the word “patience.” One of the words has the idea of “remaining firm under” tests and trials and is better translated “endurance” or “steadfastness.” The other Greek word is related to the above Hebrew meaning and refers to patience as “long-spiritedness” or “calmness of spirit” even though under severe provocation to lose one’s temper.

The great biblical illustration of patience in operation is God himself. Several passages speak of him, in conjunction with other gracious attributes, as “slow to anger.” In a context that stresses Israel’s rebellion and provocation of God, he is contrasted as a God who is forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness (Neh 9:17). The psalmist declares, “Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ps 86:15, rsv; see also Ex 34:6; Nm 14:18; Ps 103:8; Jl 2:13; Jon 4:2). In addition, the virtue of a patient spirit on the part of mankind is extolled in the OT, especially in Proverbs (Prv 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; 25:15; see also Eccl 7:8).

Show passage in OET: NEH 9:17

OET-RV NEH 9:17

17 Not only did they refuse to listen, they forgot about all the miracles that you’d done for them and they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery. But you are a god of forgiveness—gracious and compassionate, slow to get angry and generously showing loyal affection, and you didn’t abandon them.

OET-LV NEH 9:17

17 And_they _refused to_listen and_not they _remembered wonders _of_your which you _had _done with_them and_they _stiffened DOM neck _of_their and_they _appointed a _leader to_return to_servitude _of_their in_rebellion _of_their and_you(ms) are_a _god _of forgiveness(es) gracious and_compassionate long _of anger(s) and_great _of and and_not you_abandoned _them.

Show passage in OET: PSA 86:15

OET-RV PSA 86:15

15 But you, my master, are a merciful and gracious God,
⇔ slow to get angry, and generous with loyal commitment and trustworthiness.

OET-LV PSA 86:15

15 And_you(ms) my_master are_a _god compassionate and_gracious long _of anger(s) and_great _of covenant _loyalty and_faithfulness.

Show passage in OET: EXO 34:6

OET-RV EXO 34:6

6 Yahweh passed over above his face and proclaimed, “I am Yahweh, a compassionate and gracious God, slow to get angry but exuding faithfulness and trustworthiness.

OET-LV EXO 34:6

6 And_ YHWH _he/it _passed _through on his/its_faces/face and_he/it _called YHWH YHWH a _god compassionate and_gracious long _of anger(s) and_great _of covenant _loyalty and_faithfulness

Show passage in OET: NUM 14:18

OET-RV NUM 14:18

18 ‘Yahweh is slow to anger and quick to show loyal commitment, forgiving disobedience and rebellion. Yet he doesn’t leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the father’s disobedience onto the next three generations.’

OET-LV NUM 14:18

18 YHWH is_long _of anger(s) and_great _of covenant _loyalty he_is_forgiving iniquity and_transgression and_certainly _(leave _unpunished) not he _will _leave _unpunished he_is_visiting the_iniquity _of parents on the_children on a _third _generation and_on a _fourth _generation.

Show passage in OET: PSA 103:8

OET-RV PSA 103:8

8 Yahweh is gracious and merciful,
⇔ slow to get angry and generous in his loyal commitment to us.

OET-LV PSA 103:8

8 Is_compassionate and_gracious YHWH long _of anger(s) and_great _of covenant _loyalty.

Show passage in OET: JOL 2:13

OET-RV JOL 2:13

13 Yes, tear your hearts and not your clothes,
⇔ and return to your god Yahweh,
⇔ because he’s gracious and merciful,
⇔ slow to get angry, but displaying loyal commitment,
⇔ and relenting from sending disaster.

OET-LV JOL 2:13

13 And_tear heart _of_your(pl) and_not garments _of_your(pl) and_return to YHWH god _of_your(pl) if/because is_gracious and_compassionate he he_is_long _of anger(s) and_great _of covenant _loyalty and_he_is_relenting on (the)_harm.

Show passage in OET: JNA 4:2

OET-RV JNA 4:2

2 And he said to Yahweh, “Please Yahweh, wasn’t this what I said would happen when I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled to Tarshish the first time, because I knew that you are a caring forgiving god, who doesn’t get angry quickly; full of kindness and not wanting to cause distress.

OET-LV JNA 4:2

2 And_he _prayed to YHWH and_he _said please Oh_YHWH am_not was_this message _of_my until was_I on land _of_my _own therefore yes/correct/thus/so I _did _the _first _time to_flee to_Tarshiysh if/because I _knew if/because _that you are_a _god gracious and_compassionate long _of anger(s) and_great _of covenant _loyalty and_who_relents on (the)_evil.

Show passage in OET: PRO 14:29

OET-RV PRO 14:29

29 People who are slow to get angry, have more understanding,
⇔ ^ but a quick-tempered person prioritises foolishness.

OET-LV PRO 14:29

29 A_person_long _of anger(s) is_great _of understanding and_a _person_short _of spirit is_exalting foolishness.

Show passage in OET: PRO 15:18

OET-RV PRO 15:18

18 Quick-tempered people stir up trouble,
⇔ ^ but a patient person calms a quarrel.

OET-LV PRO 15:18

18 A _person _of rage he _stirs _up strife and_a_person_long _of anger(s) he _makes _quiet a _dispute.

Show passage in OET: PRO 16:32

OET-RV PRO 16:32

32 It’s better to be slow to get angry than to be powerful,
⇔ ≈ and better to be able to control yourself than to capture a city.

OET-LV PRO 16:32

32 Is_good a_person_long _of anger(s) more_than _a _warrior and_one _who_rules over_spirit _of_his more_than_one _who_captures _of a _city.

Show passage in OET: PRO 25:15

OET-RV PRO 25:15

15 A ruler can be persuaded by being patient,
⇔ ≈ and a soft tongue can break a bone.

OET-LV PRO 25:15

15 By_length _of anger(s) a _ruler he _will _be _persuaded and_a _tongue soft it _will _break a _bone.

Show passage in OET: ECC 7:8

OET-RV ECC 7:8

8 Finishing something is better than starting it,
⇔ and being patient is better than being proud.

OET-LV ECC 7:8

8 Is_good the_end _of a _matter more_than _of_its _beginning is_good a_person_long _of spirit more_than _a_person_haughty _of spirit.

Jump to OET NEH 9:17 section.

Jump to OET PSA 86:15 section.

Jump to OET EXO 34:6 section.

Jump to OET NUM 14:18 section.

Jump to OET PSA 103:8 section.

Jump to OET JOL 2:13 section.

Jump to OET JNA 4:2 section.

Jump to OET PRO 14:29 section.

Jump to OET PRO 15:18 section.

Jump to OET PRO 16:32 section.

Jump to OET PRO 25:15 section.

Jump to OET ECC 7:8 section.

The NT also stresses the patience of the Lord. It is God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience that lead people to repentance (Rom 2:4). God was patient in holding off the Flood for the sinners of Noah’s day while the ark was being built, thereby giving more time for repentance (1 Pt 3:20). Probably the greatest of the NT references to God’s patience is in 2 Peter 3:9. The delay in Christ’s return is not an indication of slowness on God’s part, says Peter, but of his long-suffering, not being willing that anyone should perish. A specific reference to Jesus Christ’s patience is made by Paul, who claimed that, in his case, Jesus was able to demonstrate perfect patience (1 Tm 1:16).

Show passage in OET: ROM 2:4

OET-RV ROM 2:4

4 Or maybe you’re taking advantage of God’s kindness and patience, without realising that his kindness was meant to lead you to turn away from your wrongdoing?

OET-LV ROM 2:4

4 Or of _the riches of _the kindness of _him, and of _the forbearance, and of _the patience you _are _despising, not _knowing that the kindness of_ the _god, to repentance you is _leading?

Show passage in OET: PE1 3:20

OET-RV PE1 3:20

20 those who’d refused to believe. God had waited patiently in Noah’s time when the barge was being built, yet only a few were saved. Eight of them were brought safely through the waters,

OET-LV PE1 3:20

20 to _having _disbelieved ones once when the patience of_ the _god was _eagerly _waiting in the_days of _Nōe/(Noaḩ), the_box being _prepared in which a_few, this is, eight souls, were _brought _safely _through through the_water.

Show passage in OET: PE2 3:9

OET-RV PE2 3:9

9 The master isn’t slow in fulfilling his promise as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you—not wanting anyone to perish but rather wanting everyone to come to repentance.

OET-LV PE2 3:9

9 the_master is_ not _slowing of _his promise, as some are _considering slowness, but he _is _being _patient toward you _all, not wishing any to _perish, but all to to _accept repentance.

Show passage in OET: TI1 1:16

OET-RV TI1 1:16

16 And this is why I was shown mercy: so that Yeshua the messiah can demonstrate his great patience in me first, as a pattern to all the others who will believe in him and obtain eternal life.

OET-LV TI1 1:16

16 But because _of this I _was _shown _mercy, in _order _that in me first Yaʸsous chosen _one /messiah may _display his all patience, because/for a_pattern of _the ones going to _be _believing in him, to life eternal.

Jump to OET ROM 2:4 section.

Jump to OET PE1 3:20 section.

Jump to OET PE2 3:9 section.

Jump to OET TI1 1:16 section.

Patience, which is an attribute of our God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, is also to characterize each Christian. Paul’s prayer for the Colossians is that they might demonstrate this quality (Col 1:11). It is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), an attribute of love (1 Cor 13:4), and a virtue (Col 3:12; see also 2 Tm 3:10). In addition, Christians are exhorted to be patient (1 Thes 5:14). If we are not, we will be treated as the slave in a parable that Jesus told. This slave pleaded with his lord, to whom he owed a great sum, for patience, promising to pay all. The lord was patient and forgave all the debt, until he found out that the slave had refused to show the same patience to a fellow servant who owed him a pittance in comparison (Mt 18:26-29).

Show passage in OET: COL 1:11

OET-RV COL 1:11

11 and be strengthened with all power, according to his great power, leading to endurance and patience with contentment.

OET-LV COL 1:11

11 with all power being _enabled according _to the power of _the glory of _him, to all endurance and patience with joy,

Show passage in OET: GAL 5:22

OET-RV GAL 5:22

22 But the end result of having God’s spirit is to show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

OET-LV GAL 5:22

22 But the fruit of _the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

Show passage in OET: CO1 13:4

OET-RV CO1 13:4

4 Love is patient and kind. It doesn’t envy others, it doesn’t boast, and it isn’t arrogant.

OET-LV CO1 13:4

4 The love is _being _patient, is _being _kind, the love not is _being _jealous, the love not is _bragging, not is _being _arrogant,

Show passage in OET: COL 3:12

OET-RV COL 3:12

12 So as holy people chosen and loved by God, ‘dress’ in: compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience,

OET-LV COL 3:12

12 Therefore as the_chosen of_ the _god, holy ones and having _been _loved, dress _in hearts of _compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience,

Show passage in OET: TI2 3:10

OET-RV TI2 3:10

10 However Timotheos, you followed me in your teaching, your conduct, your purpose and your faith, in patience, love, endurance,

OET-LV TI2 3:10

10 And you followed with _the teaching of _me, the conduct, the purpose, the faith, the patience, the love, the endurance,

Show passage in OET: TH1 5:14

OET-RV TH1 5:14

14 We advise you, brothers and sisters, to scold those who are lazy, comfort those who are discouraged, help the weak up, and be patient towards everyone.

OET-LV TH1 5:14

14 And we _are _exhorting you _all, brothers, be _admonishing the lazy, be _consoling the fainthearted, be _upholding of _the weak, be _being _patient toward all.

Show passage in OET: MAT 18:26–29

OET-RV MAT 18:26

26 Then that slave dropped to the ground and prostrated himself to the master, saying, ‘Master, give me a little more time, and then I’ll be able to repay it all to you.’

OET-RV MAT 18:27

27 So the master felt sorry for that slave and sent him away and forgave his loan.

OET-RV MAT 18:28

28 “But when the slave got outside, he found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a few thousand. He grabbed him and was strangling him with his hands, saying, ‘Give back what you owe!’

OET-RV MAT 18:29

29 The fellow slave dropped to the ground and begged him, ‘Give me a little more time and I’ll repay you.’

OET-LV MAT 18:26

26 Therefore the slave having _fallen, was _prostrating to _him saying:
Master, be _patient with me, and I _will _be _giving_ all things _back to _you.

OET-LV MAT 18:27

27 And the master having _been _feeling _compassion, of_ the that _slave sent_ him _away, and he _forgave the loan to _him.

OET-LV MAT 18:28

28 But the that slave having _come _out, found one of _the fellow-slaves of _him, who was _owing a_hundred daʸnarion_coins to _him, and having _apprehended him, he _was _strangling him saying:
Give _back if anything you _are _owing.

OET-LV MAT 18:29

29 Therefore the fellow-slave of _him having _fallen, was _imploring him saying:
Be _patient with me, and I _will _be _giving _back to _you.

Jump to OET COL 1:11 section.

Jump to OET GAL 5:22 section.

Jump to OET CO1 13:4 section.

Jump to OET COL 3:12 section.

Jump to OET TI2 3:10 section.

Jump to OET TH1 5:14 section.

Jump to OET MAT 18:26–29 section.

In some contexts, the word “patience” takes on the more general meaning of waiting long and expectantly for something. The farmer waits patiently for the crop to come (Jas 5:7b). Abraham waited patiently for God’s promise to give him the land of Canaan to be fulfilled and died without seeing what was promised, although still believing (Heb 6:15; 11:39). Finally, all Christians are commanded to be long-suffering until the coming of the Lord (Jas 5:7a).