Put a Lid on It Love suffers long [makrothumeo] and is kind;
love does not envy;
love does not parade itself,
is not puffed up;
~ 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV)
She knows how to be silent [stego].
She is full of trust,
full of hope,
full of patient endurance [hupomeno].
~ 1 Corinthians 13:7 (WNT)
We interrupt the book of Revelation for a brief comparison between endurance, patience, and longsuffering. This is entirely too fascinating not to share.
Among the fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering, often translated "patience." As my daughter Michaelle (age 16) says, "Patience involves suffering, so it doesn't really matter which word you use."
Fair enough—unless both words appear together, as they do in the 1 Corinthians 13 "Love Chapter," and you don't want to miss the difference.
Longsuffering (Greek feminine noun makrothumia, verb makrothumeō) means forbearance, long-suffering, self-restraint. It indicates patience in respect to persons, and is associated with mercy.
Patience (Greek feminine noun hupomonē, verb hupomenō) is more accurately called patient endurance. The noun is usually translated "patience," while the verb is usually translated "endure." It means cheerful (or hopeful) endurance or constancy. The word's literal meaning is "stay under" [a burden]. It is related to things or circumstances and is associated with hope.
In the above two verses, a third word occurs—stegō. Most translations render it "bears," as in "love bears all things." The word's literal meaning is "to roof over," or, "to cover with silence." In English idiom, the most literal translation of stego would be, "put a lid on it."
Lesson over. We'll return to Revelation on Wednesday after tomorrow's blog carnival.
Lord, please help readers of this blog be patient with me for all the times I tell You how much I love Your Word. :D
I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
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Michaelle sounds very wise. It often feels interchangeable.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to read it again. Ah, to be cheerful in patience. To stay under something.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
Sis, I love His word too.
ReplyDeleteGreat distinction to point out. Love it. Thanks Anne.
ReplyDeletehmmm...now this is a different take on that scripture! never would have seen it...or even given it a thought for that matter. something to think about/chew on. as for your daughter's comment? the apples don't fall far from the tree do they?:)
ReplyDeleteLORD, teach me to be patient and teach me NOW! Seriously, it is difficult but it is a courageous thing to do!
ReplyDeleteT ~
ReplyDeleteShe seems wiser than me to have learned more patience earlier than I did. It's just that neither one of us likes needing it.
Wendy ~
ReplyDeleteStaying put without running away is more difficult than even the word conveys. "Long suffering" uses a root word that refers to breathing in anger. It seems to go so far as to be really upset and yet stay put.
I've got more on this for Wednesday.
Denise ~
ReplyDeleteThanks, dear. I'm grateful for your patience with me, for you staying with me. :D
Jason ~
ReplyDeleteThe number of words used for "endure" and "endurance" were even more varied. Digging into the word can broaden our perspective of character and strengthen it. I pray you find the same true in your life and ministry.
Bud ~
ReplyDeleteThere is so much more to love than we see. And so much more to God's love than we are able to understand.
Yes, she's a little bit like me ...
Bible Lover ~
ReplyDeleteWhat I appreciate about this study is the ability to see that as we learn patience, there are so many ways to manifest the lesson, for the blessing of others as well as ourselves.