2 Timothy 3:10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance…
Paul references seven different items in today’s verse that he wants Timothy to be reminded of. These seven items include teaching, lifestyle, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance. While each of these can be important and worthy of individual attention and learning, we are focusing only on the patience aspect today.
In this verse Paul is reminding Timothy of all that he has observed in Paul and what he has emulated in his own life. Among these is patience. In Greek it is makrothumia. In the KJV it is translated as longsuffering. In Greek, the term implies enduring circumstances without giving up. But not just any circumstances. It speaks of enduring the most challenging of circumstances or people.
What is interesting, but also slightly confusing, is the fact that patience is often paired with “longsuffering” (which is patience with people) and “perseverance” (which is endurance in circumstances). The confusing part is that the KJV translates the word as longsuffering while the NIV and other versions translate it as patience. We just determined that longsuffering is patience with people. So how can patience be paired with patience with people?
It implies holding up under pressure, remaining steadfast, and not giving up when facing adversity or challenges that test our patience. I am sure there had to be plenty of times Paul wanted to lose his patience with people. But he demonstrated great patience given the events of his life and all of the suffering he faced as well as the times of imprisonment. It is this that he reminds Timothy to remember and to copy.
How is your patience under pressure? There is a reason I chose this topic this month! Patience is NOT my strongpoint. How about you?
Prayer: Lord, Help me to be patient. Let me be long-suffering in dealing with circumstances that are challenging. Be my patience. Fill me with Your Spirit that I may endure. Amen
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