What does the Bible say about patience?
Patience in scripture is not passivity — it's strength under restraint. It's listed as a fruit of the Spirit, demanded of leaders, modeled by God himself, and tested in suffering. The biblical word often translated 'patience' literally means 'long-suffering': the capacity to endure without becoming bitter.
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming.
Bible verses about patience
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law."
"Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing."
"rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;"
"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."
"He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Frequently asked
Is patience a fruit of the Spirit?
Yes — Galatians 5:22-23 lists it alongside love, joy, peace, kindness, and self-control as evidence of the Spirit's work in a person.
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