Love is Longsuffering

Most modern Bible translations don’t use the word longsuffering. It’s pretty archaic. Instead, translators typically use the word patience. However, I think “love is longsuffering” adds a dimension that is worth considering. It carries greater depth.

What is Longsuffering

Admittedly, there exists a lot of similarity between the two terms. What is longsuffering? What sets it apart from patience? An exploration of the two starts with their definitions.

Patience is the ability to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. Longsuffering shows patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.

We exhibit patience when baking a cake or boiling water. But, we demonstrate longsuffering when forced to endure difficulties that are outside our control. Both require personal discipline, yet there is more pain in the latter.

Longsuffering Fruit of the Spirit

About three years ago, one of my pastors was counseling me through yet another difficult moment in my marriage. In that conversation, he reminded me that longsuffering is a fruit of the spirit.

I already knew God wanted me to be patient, kind, etc. But, the notion that the Holy Spirit was producing fruit in me through these challenges–that was a dose of encouragement that I desperately needed.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

The trials I faced in marriage did not resolve themselves as I desired. They ended in divorce. But, I can see the growth that occurred in me because I chose to (imperfectly) pursue Him during those dark moments.

God is Love

I’ve been to enough Christian weddings to know that you can’t seal the deal without a reading of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. It is a fitting aspiration for us. But, the full demonstration of that love is not human; God is love, as the apostle John so aptly pointed out.

‘Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.’

Verse 8 continues: “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” This is a love which is eternal, the love of God.

It’s not hard to see how love connects to longsuffering. We endure a great deal of pain for those we love. As Christians, we demonstrate our love for God by enduring difficulties with others.

I don’t believe you must remain in relationships (or even marriages) that are abusive. Please don’t mistake me on that. But, there was incredible, compelling beauty that God revealed to me through our painful perseverance.

His longsuffering and His patience surpass our own. As, someone who rejected Him for almost two decades, I am eternally grateful for these qualities in Him. My salvation is rooted in his patience.

“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,” 2 Peter 3:15