We serve a longsuffering Lord. Thus, it is only fitting that we, as God’s children, ought also to be longsuffering (patient). When James the brother of the Lord was writing his epistle to the persecuted Christians of his day, he had much to say about fiery trials. In the opening words of chapter one, he said, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2–3).

Patience is the result of bearing up under the trials that God sends our way. What does patience have to do with longsuffering? The two virtues are linked together in the Word of God, both in the Old and New Testaments.

The Old Testament idiom אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם (erekh appayim), “long of nose,” is often rendered by the word patient in English translations. The same is true with the Greek word for longsuffering. The Greek word is translated as patience throughout the New Testament as well.

In fact, there are primarily two words in the Greek New Testament that are rendered “patient” or “patience.” James incorporated both words in his epistle. Let’s look closer at these two Greek words which denote longsuffering.

Patience in Trials: ὑπομονή

In chapter one, James used the term ὑπομονή (hupomone). This word literally means “to bear up under,” as in the sense of bearing a load that God has given us to carry. We can all think of trials that might fall under this category: sickness, financial hardship, or troubles such as floods, earthquakes, or fires. These troubles, if we learn to endure them with joy and gratitude, will work patience into our hearts.

“The trying of your faith worketh patience.” James’s encouragement is that we can rejoice in trials because God will give us the grace to bear them without fainting. The Apostle Paul echoed the same truth in Romans 5:3, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.”

Peter, likewise, spoke of ὑπομονή (hupomone) in his writings. In his famous progression in Christian virtues, he listed this kind of patience in the midst of trials. “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:5–8).

There is also another kind of patience that, although translated the same in English, is a different word in the original. It is similar, but distinct.

Patience in Relationships: μακροθυμία

The second kind of patience is expressed by the Greek word μακροθυμία (makrothymia). This word brings the Hebrew idiom of “suffering long” directly into the Greek, for it literally means “long of passion.” We see this word specifically used in reference to God in Romans 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

This same word also applies to us as believers. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12). Here, the Greek word is used primarily about our attitude toward people, not merely toward things. When we learn patience after our house burns down or as a family member is battling a life-threatening disease, that is ὑπομονή (hupomone). But, in times when we weep over a prodigal child, or continue to love an estranged spouse, or choose to “turn the other cheek” when verbally assaulted by another church member, that situation requires μακροθυμία (makrothymia).

This second Greek word is used in I Corinthians 13 to describe true charity in these immortal words, “Charity suffereth long.” Paul also mentioned this kind of patience when he described the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23).

Although James began his epistle with an exhortation that referenced the first type of patience that applies to times of distress and tribulations, he ended his epistle with an exhortation about the second type of patience that applies in relationships. “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door” (James 5:8–9).

The distinction between these two manners of patience leads us to a practical application. While “fiery trials,” such as a debilitating illness or the loss of a job, can teach us patience, difficulties in relationships are a different matter. We should never regard a loved one or even an enemy as a “trial” to be endured. Rather, we are to view them as God does: beloved creations of His! We are not to merely endure these people; we are to love them just as God loves us! His longsuffering should motivate us, and we should diligently develop both types of patience: patience in trials and patience in relationships. In both situations, may we heed James’s admonition and “count it all joy,” knowing God is at work in our lives for His glory!