In this era, we have lost the vital trait of forbearance, often wearing our bones too tight and giving little room for others to be human. Forbearance, as defined, means refraining from enforcing something, whether a debt, a right, or an obligation, even when it is due. It involves showing patience, restraining oneself from actions that might be natural, and controlling oneself when provoked or offended. Synonyms such as patience, leniency, tolerance, self-restraint, command of temper, endurance, longsuffering, mildness, mercy, clemency, and pardon reveal the broad application of this virtue. In the Scriptures, forbearance appears under various terms, reflecting God's own character. In Nehemiah 9:30-31, we see God's forbearance with Israel, enduring their repeated disobedience for many years, testifying against them through His Spirit and prophets, yet not utterly consuming them due to His great mercy. Despite Israel's cycles of apostasy over centuries, God often delayed punishment, giving them space to repent, demonstrating His patience and forbearance even with grave sins. Greek terms for forbearance, such as anecheo (to hold oneself back, endure), aniemi (to allow to go away, showing leniency), pheidomai (to refrain or abstain), stego (to cover or protect), and makrothumia (longsuffering or patient endurance), further illustrate this concept. In II Corinthians 12:6, Paul exercises forbearance by refraining from boasting about his vision, avoiding offense. In Mark 9:19, Jesus Christ expresses forbearance with His disciples, enduring their lack of faith while questioning how long He must bear with them. God's forbearance is a cornerstone of His dealings with humanity, as seen in Exodus 34:6-7, where He proclaims Himself merciful, gracious, and longsuffering, offering chances for repentance while maintaining justice. Yet, as Genesis 6:3-7 shows, His forbearance has limits; when humanity's corruption reached its peak, He could no longer forbear, leading to the destruction of all but those in the ark. With His servants like Abraham, Samson, and David, God showed remarkable forbearance, allowing time for repentance and character growth despite repeated failings, as evidenced in Genesis 20, Judges 15:20, and II Samuel 11-12. In Ecclesiastes 8:11-13, Solomon notes that God's delayed judgment can lead men to further evil, yet warns that every work will be brought into judgment. Romans 2:4 reveals that God's forbearance, goodness, and longsuffering are meant to lead us to repentance, not to be despised. Romans 3:25-26 explains the legal basis for this forbearance: through Christ's blood, God can pass over sins previously committed, ensuring justice while showing mercy. In Luke 18:7-8, Jesus teaches that God forbears even with His elect, delaying responses to their cries, possibly to work with their adversaries, urging us to have faith in His timing. II Peter 3:9 emphasizes that God's longsuffering is not slackness but a desire that none perish, aiming for all to come to repentance, a trait essential for salvation. As part of God's character, forbearance must become ours, a fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 as longsuffering. Colossians 3:12-14 and Ephesians 4:2 call us to bear with one another in love, linking forbearance to forgiveness and unity. I Corinthians 13:7 states that love bears all things, using stego to imply covering faults, protecting reputations, and giving space for repentance. Philippians 4:5 urges us to let our forbearance be known to all, especially as the Lord is at hand, highlighting its importance in these times for fostering peace and brotherhood within the church.

In our impatient, self-centered world, the quality of forbearance, akin to longsuffering, has nearly vanished. Forbearance involves refraining from enforcing something that is due, such as a debt, right, or obligation, and it differs slightly from longsuffering, which emphasizes temperament. As described in Romans 2:4, God Himself is forbearing and longsuffering, showcasing His goodness and desire to grant us salvation through His patient restraint. As the elect of God, we are called to clothe ourselves with forbearance and longsuffering, fostering unity and reducing friction within the church. By embodying these qualities, we reflect the patient endurance and merciful restraint exemplified by God and Jesus Christ, allowing us to tolerate offenses with an even temper, even under severe trial.

In the face of human sinfulness, Jesus Christ exemplifies a profound forbearance that stands in stark contrast to the harsh judgment of the religious leaders of His time. When confronted with the woman caught in adultery, as recorded in John 8, He did not rush to condemn her despite the clear evidence and the law's demand for punishment. Instead, He paused, allowing time for reflection, and challenged her accusers with the words, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." As they dispersed, convicted by their own consciences, Jesus turned to the woman and declared, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." This act of mercy reveals His patience and unwillingness to hasten judgment, offering her an opportunity for repentance. This forbearance is further illuminated in His teachings and actions toward sinners. Jesus, as the light of the world, instructs us to follow His example, showing that reacting to sin with patience and mercy leads to the light of life. His approach is not to ignore or condone sin but to cover it with love, as urged in I Peter 4:8, where fervent love among brethren is said to cover a multitude of sins. This covering does not mean sweeping sin under the rug but rather containing it, preventing its spread through gossip, and addressing it privately with the sinner in a spirit of gentleness, as advised in Galatians 6:1. Moreover, in Ephesians 4:1-3, we are called to walk worthy of our calling with lowliness, gentleness, and longsuffering, bearing with one another in love to maintain unity. This attitude of forbearance mirrors God's own patience with us, as He often withholds immediate judgment to allow time for repentance. Similarly, in Romans 14, we are cautioned against judging one another over disputable matters, reminded that each will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and encouraged to remove stumbling blocks from our brother's path. Jesus also teaches in Matthew 18 that forgiveness toward a sinning brother should be boundless, extending beyond mere numbers to a constant readiness to forgive, reflecting the grace God shows us. This principle of forbearance is not about excusing sin but about enduring with one another, offering support and encouragement without condemnation, striving together toward the Kingdom of God.