Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (5) Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. (6) Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Forbearance= patient self-control; restraint and tolerance.
///tolerance; toleration; patience;resignation; endurance; fortitude;stoicism; long-sufferingness;leniency; lenity;clemency; indulgence;restraint; self-restraint;self-control; moderation;temperance; mildness.///
Personal Note~ I was wondering what forbearance meant exactly so I chose to look up its exact meaning. I do not have to hide my patience. Rather, God, through Paul, is letting me know to let everyone see my temperance and restraint.
Last week, my used bike was stolen. That evening I saw a homeless girl riding my bike and sitting on the sidewalk with MY bike! In that moment I could have demanded my bike back, or rode off with it, or get angry and speak harshly. However, in that moment I was actually dumbfounded that she indeed had my bike, and I wanted to confirm before I began accusing her. In that moment, you could say that I demonstrated self-control and self-restraint.
Also, the fruit of the spirit is self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23). God wants everyone to see me display his fruit, that is patient self-control or forbearance. In the past I have often wanted to hide any good in me, thinking (falsely) that somehow hiding my goodness was a sign of humility. Rather, Jesus said let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify God in heaven. Also, I am God’s workmanship, created for good works. So, biblically speaking, I do not need to be afraid of letting my light shine, nor of letting others see any fruit of the spirit that might be in me, such as forbearance /patient self-control.
Now, what are those good works that are waiting for me to do? How will I live today, intentionally live for Christ and for his glory? When my mom wass going on a trip, I at least greeted her off as she left the house, waiting for her ride to pick her up. I could have remained in my room as she was leaving, but instead I chose to at least come out of my room to tell her good bye and to have a nice trip even though I was doing something else at the moment.
Doing chores with a good heart might be another way of letting my light shine. In everyday living, even though the home rule is to do your own dishes and put away your own dishes, if I put away their dishes also (without complaining in my heart) then that might be a way of showing forbearance, too.
Finally, I think Paul was more referring to the gospel ministry because of verse 3 above (they have labored together in the gospel and their names are written in the book of life). God wants us to be patient in the sharing of the gospel and in (ministry or any) relationships with others. We take the high road, so to speak. There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death. If we think that taking revenge on another person, for any reason, that might not be such a great idea, and I do not recommend it! Let’s be people who demonstrate the fruit of the spirit, and who let everyone see our forbearance, our patience, and our self-control. Hallelujah. To God be the glory.
Source: Oxford Languages online dictionary via “google search”
Scripture: Nestle-Aland Greek-English New Testament
