The concept of longsuffering is an important one in the Bible. At its core, longsuffering refers to patience, endurance, and the ability to bear up under trials and afflictions. It is often used to describe an attribute of God, but also applies to the Christian life. Here is an overview of the key things the Bible teaches about longsuffering:
God is longsuffering
The Bible frequently describes God as “slow to anger” and “abundant in mercy” (Psalm 145:8). He is patient with sinners and often holds back the full force of His wrath. For example, the apostle Peter wrote that God is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God gives people time and space to repent instead of instantly judging sin.
We see God’s longsuffering through His work in redemptive history. He has shown great patience and mercy, from the garden of Eden to the cross. Even when humanity rejected and crucified His Son Jesus, God responded with mercy and grace instead of instant judgment. His longsuffering reveals His loving and merciful character.
Longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit
For believers in Jesus, longsuffering should increasingly become part of our character. It is listed by Paul as one of the fruits that the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of Christians (Galatians 5:22). As we grow in Christ, we become more patient, longsuffering, and steadfast.
Longsuffering means bearing up under difficulties and trials without giving in to discouragement or bitterness. Romans 5:3-4 describes how endurance produces godly character in the lives of believers. Hardships provide an opportunity to grow in patience and longsuffering. As we rely on God’s strength to endure, our character is refined.
Longsuffering in relationships
Our human relationships provide many opportunities to display longsuffering. The Bible instructs Christians to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-2).
This means showing tolerance, mercy, and longsuffering toward others even when relationships become difficult or painful. Just as God has shown patience toward us, we are called to extend longsuffering toward those around us. This applies in marriage, family, friendships, workplaces, and churches.
Longsuffering perseveres through suffering
Followers of Jesus are not promised an easy life. Quite the opposite—we are assured of facing hardship and persecution (John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12). Longsuffering means persevering through suffering and not giving up in the face of adversity. It enables us to follow Jesus’ command to endure to the end and finish the race (Mark 13:13; 2 Timothy 4:7).
The apostle James pointed to the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as examples of longsuffering: “We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). Job persevered through suffering; he represents the longsuffering believer who does not curse God in adversity but patiently endures.
Cultivating longsuffering
Longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit, not something we can manufacture in our own strength. We grow in patience and endurance through walking closely with Jesus. Abiding in Him enables us to display longsuffering even when people and circumstances challenge us. As we spend time in God’s Word, bring our struggles to Him in prayer, and rely on His strength through each day, our capacity for longsuffering will increase.
We can also prepare ourselves to exercise longsuffering by reflecting on God’s patience toward us. Remembering how He has mercifully endured our sins and flaws cultivates humility and gratitude. It provides motivation to extend that same longsuffering toward others, even when it is difficult.
Additionally, trusted Christian friends can help us develop longsuffering. Their support, encouragement, and accountability enable us to press on when we feel like giving up. Together we spur one another on to keep following Jesus with patient endurance no matter what comes against us.
The reward of longsuffering
Practicing longsuffering is challenging, but it results in great reward. Romans 2:7 promises, “To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” There is eternal reward for those who endure with patience and longsuffering.
Longsuffering also results in godly character, stronger faith, and a closer walk with Jesus. James 1:2-4 explains how trials produce endurance and maturity in believers. Each time we choose to respond to difficulty with longsuffering instead of anger or discouragement, our faith and character are refined.
Additionally, our longsuffering reflects Christ to those around us. People notice when we endure pain and disappointment with supernatural patience. Our longsuffering can point them to the goodness and mercy of God. Just as His patience draws sinners to repentance, our longsuffering can draw people closer to Jesus.
Longsuffering and justice
It is important to note that longsuffering does not negate justice. There is a difference between patience toward sinners who need redemption and tolerance of sin and injustice. God hates evil and promises to ultimately judge it. But He waits patiently in order to give people time to repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:7-10).
Likewise, our longsuffering has limits. We should pursue patience and non-retaliation toward those who wrong us (Romans 12:17-21). But enduring injustice does not necessarily mean staying in abusive situations or avoiding efforts to restrain evil. We can demonstrate longsuffering while also speaking the truth in love and taking appropriate stands against sin and oppression.
The life of Jesus demonstrates this balance. He perfectly fulfilled the command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Yet He also confronted hypocrisy and corruption and turned over the tables of businessmen who were profiteering in the temple courts (Matthew 21:12-13). Jesus practiced longsuffering while also establishing justice.
Longsuffering brings us closer to Jesus
In summary, the biblical concept of longsuffering involves patiently enduring through trials and afflictions. God is the perfect embodiment of longsuffering. His gracious patience with humanity gives us an example to follow. As we grow in the fruit of longsuffering, we reflect Christ to the world. And our perseverance through hardship conforms us more and more to His image.
Longsuffering is not easy or natural for us. But as we walk closely with Jesus, His Spirit enables us to respond to difficulty with supernatural patience and endurance. We can be confident that our suffering is not meaningless. Rather, it is producing in us an eternal weight of glory and Christlike character (2 Corinthians 4:17). God promises to reward those who faithfully endure to the end.
