Flower slowly growing in water

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Forbearance

FOURTH IN MY TEACHING SERIES ON THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

“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.”

Galatians 5:22-23

The Greek word for forbearance is ανοχ. The NIV translates this word as “forbearance,” while many other Bible translations translate it as “patience”.

The fruit of forbearance is much more than just patience though, as some versions of the Bible say. It is choosing not to retaliate when wronged. It’s extending terms to benefit another, instead of demanding a justifiable immediate outcome favorable to ourselves. Forbearance is the long suffering the Lord has towards sinners who need Him. And He calls Christ-followers to have the same attitude toward others.

Flower slowly growing in water

We as human beings often become impatient when it comes to life situations.

  • Promotions do not come fast enough.
  • Someone does not return a text or phone call soon enough.
  • A person is not checking out fast enough.
  • We didn’t learn something well enough.
  • Another person did not change fast enough
  • We’re not successful enough.

I’ve found that two of the most pervasive forms of impatience in Christians are a lack of patience in waiting for others to change, and a lack of patience for God to answer our prayers. We tend to want people and circumstances to go OUR way, and become intolerant of when they don’t.” – Dr. Dave Ralston

The Bible is filled with examples of people who exemplified forbearance, as well as those who did not. Here are three wonderful examples of forbearance.

  • Joseph was given a vision of him being a ruler. Before that came about he was thrown into slavery and into prison. But after many years of patience, he became the second in power over Egypt, only under Pharaoh.
  • David was anointed to be the next king of Israel. He had to run for his life for many years before he became king. He had multiple opportunities to seize the throne, but he would not take it by force. David waited for God to hand it to him. He waited in patience for God to move.
  • Job went through may trials and a lot of loss in his life. Yet, he waited patiently for God to restore him and stop the trials. He refused to curse God in his struggles, even when he did not understand what was going on or why it was happening.

The ultimate example of forbearance is personified in Jesus himself:

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:2-3

The word “enduring” in these verses is speaking of the concept of forbearance. It is acknowledging difficulty or opposition, but choosing to move forward without anger or frustration. Jesus had taken on all the sin of every person for all time and the anger of God the Father’s wrath against that sin. He did this so that you and I could have forgiveness and life eternally with Him. The human side of Jesus did not complain or retaliate, although the God side of Jesus could have turned the situation around in His favor.. He allowed grace, forbearance, and love to prevail. And His word provides us clear guidance on how to assimilate that into our lives as well.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Philippians 4:2 NIV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.”

Matthew 5:38-41 NIV

“… Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV

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