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"With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love."

Text: Ephesians 4:2

LONGSUFFERING (“makrothumia”)

This virtue is to be highly prized. It blends very well with the qualities of “lowliness” and “gentleness”.

1. Lexical Meaning

The Greek-English Lexicon (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, F. W. Danker) defined it very well.

“State of remaining tranquil while awaiting an outcome.”

“State of being able to bear up under provocation.”

2. Translation

The NKJV translators chose the word “longsuffering” to convey the above meaning. The idea behind “longsuffering” highlights the ability to endure pain without complaining.

3. Evidenced in Paul’s life

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he shared about how he had to endure much suffering in his ministry. This word “longsuffering” was employed to describe the way in which the apostle Paul coped with his trials and tribulations.

But you have carefully followed my doctrine,
manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering,
love, perseverance,
persecutions, afflictions which happened to me…
2 TIMOTHY 3:10-11

Amidst “persecutions (and) afflictions” Paul was able to exhibit the quality of “longsuffering” (“makrothumia”).

4. Cultivation of these significant Christian virtues

How our hearts must be challenged to cultivate these most significant virtues in our faith and life. The following are some reasons why we want to cultivate these qualities in our life.

a) We display true salvation given by the Lord (Ephesians 2:8-9).

b) We display God’s workmanship in our life (Ephesians 2:10).

c) We display the exceeding great power of God operating in our life (Ephesians 1:19).