Love is Patient 1 Corinthians 13:4

“ Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, ”

The patient person is capable of calm endurance in four areas: Delay Difficulty Other People’s Shortcomings Wrongs Suffered

Patience “ Love is patient, love is kind ” – v. 4 –The Greek makrothumeo means to be long-tempered 2 Peter 3:9 “ The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. ”

Patience “ Love is patient, love is kind ” – v. 4 Love “ is not provoked ” - v. 5 –“never irritably loses its temper” (Barclay) –“is not touchy” (Phillips) –“is not quick to take offence” (NEB) Proverbs 14:29 “ He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. ” “ He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. ” Proverbs 16:32 “ This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. ” - James 1:19,20

Patience Love “ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails ” – vs. 7,8 –“Endure” is from the Greek hupomeno which means “to remain behind when others have gone” (Bullinger) –Luke 2:43 “ and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, ” “ But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. ” - Luke 8:15 “ We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful. ” - James 5:11

Some Problems with Patience Impatience usually comes down to a problem of self-control. Patience & Forbearance –“denote tolerance of something or somebody over a period of time, generally without complaint though not necessarily without annoyance.” (AHD) “ You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? ” Matthew 17:17

Scriptural Exhortations “Parable of the Unforgiving Servant” – Matthew 18:21-35 Patience is a part of the fruit of the Spirit –Galatians 5:22,23 We are commanded to deal with one another in a spirit of gentleness –Galatians 6:1,2 “ For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. ” James 2:13 “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ” “ Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. ” “ Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ” Ephesians 4:1-3 “ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. ” Ephesians 4:31,32 “ We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 “ But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. ” 1 Thessalonians 2:7,8 “ The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. ” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 “ preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. ” 2 Timothy 4:2

“ Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? ” Romans 2:4 “ So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ” Colossians 3:12-14 “ By your endurance you will gain your lives. ” Luke 21:19