The Greatest of These – Part 2a: Love is Patient
I Corinthians 13:4
As we embark on this quest for understanding and encouragement through St. Paul’s explanation of love, a few reminders may be in order. You will recall that the letter was originally written in the Greek language of that day (mid-first century). We will, therefore, make some effort to discover its meaning by referring to those original words and phrases.
Likewise, since the Greek original has been translated into English and published in several versions, there are variations in the text as interpreted by the translators. For the most part, none of these variations are incorrect or false; they represent the best judgement of various Christian communicators. In our studies, we will try to recognize and utilize these differing translations to give us more understanding.
Then, as noted in earlier segments, the original term for “love” as used in this chapter is agape – that love which has its essence in God Himself, unconditional, sacrificial, “poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5).
Finally, these brief studies are not exhaustive, nor do we claim any superior scholarship. Our aim is to uncover enough beauty and blessing to fill our hearts with joy in the Lord.
St. Paul begins the section by saying, “Love is patient”. As noted earlier, some translations record, “Love suffers long”. This is probably a better rendering, but not as familiar in our vocabulary. The Greek term is “macrothumei”, which literally means, “long temper”. It has to do with self-restraint and calmness in the face of an insult or provocation; not hastily retaliating or quickly striking back at that offending person. It is considered the opposite of anger. By comparison, another Greek term which is translated as “patience” in the New Testament is “hupomona”, which literally means to “abide under”. This word refers to one not surrendering to difficult circumstances nor giving way under trials. Here we are speaking of patience with regard to adversities or stress; it is considered the opposite of despondency.
In this passage, therefore, St. Paul is beseeching the Corinthian Christians to practice the “macrothumia” of God’s love when they are being slandered, reviled, or otherwise mistreated by antagonistic people.
You will certainly recall that “God is love” (I John 4:8). So, we will find the attributes of love perfectly displayed in Him. Love is patient, so God is patient. From the fall of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from the Garden until the birth of Christ, several thousand years elapsed. Throughout that period, we are told how God continually extended His hand of mercy to restore His people, even in the face of their complaints, their disobedience, their stubbornness, and, yes, even their antagonism toward Him. Even when He allowed them to suffer hardship resulting from their sinful ways, His patient love for them never wavered. The prophet Jeremiah echoed God’s words so well: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with lovingkindness I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3).
At no time has the light of patience shown brighter than on the darkest day in human history, when Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, falsely charged with blasphemy and lawlessness. Amid the cries of the Jewish leaders and the angry crowds – “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” – He stood “as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). He could have called thousands of angels to destroy them all and set Him free, but He died alone for you and me. Later that day, suspended on the cross, He heard the taunts of the robbers beside Him and the mindless onlookers, but He refused to retaliate. Instead, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Love is patient.
St. Peter had surely felt the warmth of God’s patient love. Despite his doubts, disbelief, and denials, Jesus was so patient with him. He wrote to his people: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise …. but is longsuffering (“macrothumei”) toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (I Peter 3:9).
Acquiring and maintaining patience in our daily lives is certainly not an easy task. The battles can be fierce and the adversaries are numerous. However, we are not left to face them alone. He Himself said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Since His love has been poured out into our hearts, we can drink of the spring of patience as well.
Patience is among the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We can hold to the promise that, “We are strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy” (Colossians 1:11).
We have the examples of those who have gone before us who have lived through faith and patience (Hebrews 6:12); we can learn from them and follow in their footprints. We should surround ourselves with those who practice patience and discreetly distance ourselves from those who provoke and antagonize others.
We should seize every opportunity to exercise patience when we are confronted and challenged. Above all, let us always be grateful to God for sharing His love with us and planting the good seed of patience within our hearts.
Love is patient.
Fr. Andrew
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