Forbearance

The word forbearance can be translated in many ways.  Depending on the circumstance, we use the words tolerance, patience, long-suffering, or even refer to delaying consequences due, such as forbearance on a loan.  For most of us, it is one of the fruits of the Spirit that is easily skipped over, a vague word, somewhat archaic, easily overlooked.

But all of the fruits are important, and to understand fully what Paul is trying to convey, we have to dig deeper on those concepts which elude us.  The idea of forbearance is one such concept.

The term used in Galatians 5:22 is μακροθυμία (makrothumia).  For those who enjoy roots and stems of language, the two roots of this word are long and passion (or wrath.)  Forbearance is literally referencing holding our passions in check instead of reacting on a momentary whim.

Paul underscored this very concept of long temperedness when he used the same word, makrothumia, in 1 Timothy 1:16, which we normally translate as patience:

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Paul is encouraging us to restrain our anger with those who disappoint us, just as Christ remains slow to anger with us, despite our grievous flaws, as an example to others of Christian forbearance.  We cannot do it on our own.  It is only through our communion with the Holy Spirit that we have the ability to hold ourselves in check and follow that example.

Forbearance is about relationships, both with others and with God.  It is an active word, not passive, which means we must aggressively set about doing it, not sit back and wait for it to come to us.

This upcoming week, I will try to practice forbearance towards others who frustrate me.  We never know who is watching us, or how our actions will influence them.  Sometimes the simplest gesture makes the biggest impact.  I think that is exactly what Paul was talking about when he included forbearance in his Fruits of the Spirit.