Patience & Patience

There are two root Greek words that are translated as "patience" in most versions of the Bible. The first is makrothymia. This is the word often translated as "long-suffering." And that's sort of what it means. This is the word that I think of when I am feeling tempted to lose my temper. When in the midst of a frustrating conversation or upsetting situation, I must display makrothymia in order to maintain my composure. This word is about self-restraint and maintaining balance and calm in light of provocation. In fact, the very literal translation of this word is "long temper."

The second word is a personal favorite of mine: hypomone'. For me and my individual personality, I seem have an easier time displaying makrothymia; hypomone', however, is where the rubber meets the road. The literal translation of this word means "to abide under." This word is more frequently and consistently translated as "patience," although, in my opinion, we don't have an English word that represents its full meaning well. Hypomone' is about endurance. This is the thing that comes to mind when I find myself in the midst of a painful season or long-standing situation. In this situations, when I submit to God's sovereignty and authority, I am displaying hypomone'. When I am in a time of teaching or feel myself in the midst of the "refiner's fire," chances are, the quality I need to find within is hypomone', if I am going to carry myself with grace and without angst. One word-study aid translates this word as "patience continuance."

It is also a variant of hypomone' that the Bible uses when talking about patience more specifically in the sense that indicates waiting. For me, this adds an interesting element to the idea of waiting - or, more specifically, waiting on the Lord. Although I'm sure the Greek includes more nuance than this, the quick version as I understand it is that makrothymia is about staying peaceful in the moment, while hypomone' is about enduring challenges with peace and gracefulness. For me, hypomone' is what I must find in the Spirit while my own flesh has a tendency to be indignant, self-seeking, impatient and even self-righteous. I must rely on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to come to (and remain in!) a place of submission, surrender and acceptance. This world, as I frequently continue to find, is about God's plans. God's timing is sovereign. God's pace (although sometimes frustrating!) IS the best pace. God's methods of honing and growing and teaching us are sometimes painful and frustrating, but they are for our greatest good - without exception. Remembering that, I believe, will help us all stay focused on letting the Spirit bring abundances of both makrothymia and hupomone' into our hearts and lives.