Forbearance: Understanding God's Patient Forgiveness Through Scripture

Forbearance is a profound biblical concept that speaks to the heart of God's character and our calling as believers. The Greek word makrothymia (μακροθυμία), often translated as "forbearance," "patience," or "long-suffering," describes a supernatural ability to endure wrongs, delays, or provocations without giving way to anger or despair. It's more than simply waiting—it's an active, gracious restraint that chooses love over retaliation, mercy over judgment. When we see God's forbearance toward humanity throughout Scripture, we witness His incredible patience with our sin and rebellion, giving us time and opportunity to repent and turn to Him. This same quality is meant to characterize our relationships with one another, as we extend the patience we've received to those around us. I look at this word as the step between a wrongdoing and forgiveness. It is the inbetween of an offense and an apology. It is also God’s active willingness and patience for us to come to him and repent. He is our ultimate example of how to do this for others. Understanding forbearance helps us grasp both the depth of God's love and the transformative power of patience in our daily lives.

Other New Testament Occurrences of Forbearance or Makrothymia

The Greek word μακροθυμία (makrothymia) appears in several other passages throughout the New Testament:

Romans 2:4

"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (ESV)

Here, makrothymia describes God's patience with sinners, giving them time to repent.

Romans 9:22

"What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction..." (ESV)

Paul uses makrothymia to describe God's patient endurance even toward those who reject Him.

2 Corinthians 6:6

"...by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love..." (ESV)

Paul lists makrothymia among the qualities that characterize his ministry.

Ephesians 4:2

"...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love..." (ESV)

Believers are called to show makrothymia toward one another in the body of Christ.

Colossians 1:11

"...being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy..." (ESV)

Paul prays that believers would be empowered for makrothymia.

Colossians 3:12

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience..." (ESV)

Christians are instructed to clothe themselves with makrothymia.

1 Timothy 1:16

"But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." (ESV)

Paul testifies to Christ's makrothymia toward him as a pattern for all believers.

2 Timothy 3:10

"You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness..." (ESV)

Paul reminds Timothy of the makrothymia he demonstrated in ministry.

2 Timothy 4:2

"...preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." (ESV)

Timothy is charged to minister with makrothymia.

Hebrews 6:12

"...so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (ESV)

Believers are encouraged to imitate the makrothymia of the faithful.

James 5:10

"As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord." (ESV)

James points to the prophets as examples of makrothymia in suffering.

1 Peter 3:20

"...because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared..." (ESV)

Peter describes God's makrothymia during the time of Noah.

2 Peter 3:15

"And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him..." (ESV)

Peter reminds readers that the Lord's makrothymia means salvation for many.

Throughout the New Testament, makrothymia consistently describes both God's patient forbearance toward humanity and the character quality believers should exhibit toward one another—a supernatural ability to endure wrongs and remain steadfast in love.

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