LONGSUFFERING*

Word denoting long and patient endurance. This is a word used in the kjv four times in the OT (Ex 34:6; Nm 14:18; Ps 86:15; Jer 15:15) and 13 times in the NT. The nlt and other modern versions use “forbearance” and “patience” and other synonyms.

Longsuffering is usually applied to God (Rom 2:4). A holy God must punish sin. Yet his loving nature delays that punishment to give the sinner time to repent and turn away from his sin (1 Tm 1:16; 1 Pt 3:20). Longsuffering is also a Christian virtue, a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Christians need to exercise this in their relationships with each other.