Topical Bible: Patience: Enjoined

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Patience, as a virtue, is consistently enjoined throughout the Scriptures, reflecting a fundamental aspect of Christian character and conduct. The Bible presents patience not merely as a passive waiting but as an active endurance and steadfastness in faith, especially amidst trials and tribulations.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding patience as a divine attribute and a requisite for God's people. In the book of Psalms, patience is often linked with waiting on the Lord. Psalm 37:7 instructs, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes." This verse highlights the importance of trusting in God's timing and justice, rather than succumbing to anxiety or envy.

The life of Job is a profound illustration of patience. Despite severe suffering and loss, Job's endurance is commended. James 5:11 later reflects on this, stating, "Behold, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, patience is elevated as a fruit of the Spirit, essential for Christian living. Galatians 5:22-23 lists patience among the fruits of the Spirit, indicating its integral role in the believer's life. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to embody patience. In Ephesians 4:2 , he writes, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Here, patience is connected with humility and love, essential for maintaining unity within the body of Christ.

The epistle of James provides practical guidance on patience, particularly in the face of trials. James 1:3-4 states, "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." This passage underscores the transformative power of patience, leading to spiritual maturity and completeness.

Christ as the Model of Patience

Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate model of patience. His earthly ministry was marked by enduring opposition, misunderstanding, and suffering. Hebrews 12:2-3 encourages believers to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Christ's endurance through suffering serves as both an example and encouragement for believers to remain steadfast.

Patience in the Christian Community

Patience is also enjoined within the context of the Christian community. Colossians 3:12-13 instructs, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This passage emphasizes patience as a vital component of communal life, fostering forgiveness and harmony among believers.

Eschatological Patience

The New Testament also speaks of patience in an eschatological sense, urging believers to remain patient as they await the Lord's return. James 5:7-8 advises, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near." This eschatological patience is characterized by hope and anticipation, encouraging believers to remain faithful and diligent in their walk with God.

In summary, patience is a multifaceted virtue enjoined throughout Scripture, essential for personal spiritual growth, communal harmony, and eschatological hope. It is both a divine attribute and a human responsibility, exemplified supremely in the life and work of Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Titus 2:2
That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 1:6
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Precept of Loving One's Enemies it is as Much Taught in the ...
... And therefore this question must at once be determined, [4043] Whether the
discipline of patience be enjoined by [4044] the Creator? ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the precept of loving.htm

Concerning Patience and Swearing.
... wicked men, but He has exhorted us to lead all men, by patience and gentleness ... to
our not swearing at all, and always speaking the truth, He enjoined as follows ...
/.../the first apology of justin/chapter xvi concerning patience and swearing.htm

A Question How True Patience Can be Gained.
... how true patience can be gained. Germanus: We should like to know how that calmness
can be secured and maintained, that, as when silence is enjoined on us we ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xii a question how 2.htm

Fourth Sunday after Easter Second Sermon.
... souls].". MEEKNESS AND PATIENCE ENJOINED. Meekness and patience are necessary
to enable us to triumph over the devil and the world. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after easter second.htm

Of Some Commands of God, and of Patience.
... And this restraining [1217] of oneself is rightly named patience, which single virtue
is opposed ... God has enjoined us not to let the sun go down upon our wrath ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xviii of some commands of.htm

The True Gnostic Exercises Patience and Self-Restraint.
... Such patience will the Gnostic, as a Gnostic, possess ... For although you are not yet
able to do the things enjoined by the Law, yet, considering that the noblest ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xx the true gnostic exercises.htm

How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
... Since, then, when patience is relinquished, all other good things also that have
been done are overthrown, it is rightly enjoined on Ezekiel that in the altar ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter ix how the impatient.htm

Attributes of Love.
... to designate a phenomenon of the sensibility, it is nearly synonymous with patience. ...
confession of faults one to another, which is so often enjoined in the ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xv attributes of love.htm

Psalm XCIV.
... What then is the reason that the Psalm hath taken its title from the fourth day:
the Psalm in which patience is enjoined against the prosperity of the wicked ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xciv.htm

How Eurycles Falsely Accused Herod's Sons; and How their Father ...
... Upon this he was out of patience, and gave command to bind him; and enjoined them
both, now they were kept separate one from the other, to write down the ill ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how eurycles falsely.htm