Christian Cyclopedia

Calm, unruffled temper in facing the evils of life; ability to meet duties and conflicts with fortitude; manifested in humble submission to God's ruling providence; synonyms include long-suffering, long-sufferance, longanimity, forbearance, resignation; cf. 2 Sm 16:10–13; Lk 8:15; Ro 5:3–4; 12:12; Cl 3:12–13; 1 Th 5:14; 2 Th 1:4; 2 Ti 2:10; 3:10–11; Ja 5:11; 1 Ptr 2:20; Rv 1:9. Patience is also a quality of God (Ex 34:6; Ro 2:4; 15:5; 1 Ptr 3:20). JMW