“The fruit of the Spirit is … longsuffering (Gal. 5:22). The word in the original Greek is makrothumia and means literally, “long-tempered.” This word is similar in meaning, yet distinct from hupomone which is usually translated “patience” in our English Bibles. Longsuffering is the quality of controlling one’s temper and not quickly retaliating when provoked by other persons; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with meekness. Patience is the quality of bearing up under trials or adverse circumstances; it is the opposite of depression or despondency and is associated with hope. So longsuffering has more to do with trials from persons, and patience has to do with trials from things or circumstances.

        It is perhaps significant that it is the former—longsuffering—that is specifically mentioned as a fruit of the Spirit. The natural man seems to find it easier to bear up under adverse circumstances and trials than to bear without anger or retaliation the taunts, insults, slights, put-downs, and provocations from his fellow men. Thus it is often a particularly impressive and noticeable mark of being Spirit-filled for the Christian to manifest this quality of longsuffering, or long temper, in the face of antagonism by others.

        Longsuffering is an attribute of God. “The LORD passed by before him and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exod. 34:6; see also Num. 14:18; Psa. 86:15). “The Lord is … longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9; see also Rom. 2:4; 9:22; 1 Pet. 3:20). And how beautifully was this attribute manifested by the Lord Jesus, “who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not” (1 Pet. 2:23).

        As we consider God’s longsuffering toward us (and how often, surely, have we provoked Him!), may we grow in our desire and ability through the power of the Spirit to manifest this same longsuffering toward others (Col. 1:10,11; 3:12,13).

                “Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).