From our point of view, peace is one of God’s great attributes or perfections. Without it, the world would be more chaotic than it is. God’s patience means he is willing to redeem the world over a long time and work with his followers when they commit sins.

Let’s begin.

I. Peace

A. Brief intro.

With more peace in the world, which God shines forth for those who see and receive it, society becomes orderly and safe and prosperous. Each individual can enjoy well-being, prosperity, tranquility and euphoria.

B. What do scholars say?

The language of the Old Testament is Hebrew, and the main word for peace is shalom (237 times), which means “prosperity, well-being, health, completeness, safety” (Mounce, p. 502).

The New Testament, written in Greek, uses the word eirēnē (92 times, we get the name Irene from it). In classical Greek, used long before the New Testament was written, it means a cessation of hostilities or war and a state of law and order that “makes the fruits of prosperity possible” (Mounce, p. 503). That is, when a society is in peace, life can proceed in order and prosperity and well-being and safety.

“In other words, ‘peace’ is a state of being that lacks nothing and has no fear of being troubled in its tranquility; it is euphoria coupled with security. … This peace is God’s favor bestowed on his people. Not all people receive this peace—only those who have been reconciled to God” (ibid.). When we say peace as a greeting, it communicates blessing (ibid.). Peace “is the opposite of disorder” (ibid.).

What do those great definitions mean to God’s being? He offers those virtues and qualities to us. If he offers them, then he must have them; he must be them. He is peace and order.

After looking at many passages on peace and its opposite (disorder), Wayne Grudem defines this attribute as follows:

God’s peace means that in God’s being and in his actions he is separate from all confusion and disorder, yet he is continually active in innumerable well-ordered, fully controlled, simultaneous actions. (p. 203, emphasis original)

C. Quick definition:

This attribute or perfection of God means that he is calm, in control, and orderly.

Those definitions are built on Scripture. Here is a small sample in the next section.

D. What do Scriptures say?

God looks with compassion on people who are in disorder and chaos and promises them a golden age of peace for them and their children:

“Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise,
your foundations with lapis lazuli.
¹² I will make your battlements of rubies,
your gates of sparkling jewels,
and all your walls of precious stones.
¹³ All your children will be taught by the Lord,
and great will be their peace. (Is. 54:11-13)

In a chapter of great promises and acceptance by the Lord, he leads his people in peace:

You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands. (Is. 55:12)

God is the “God of peace”:

The God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Rom. 15:13)

These verses also have the phrase: Rom 16:20; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:20

In the church God is orderly:

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all congregations of the Lord’s people (1 Cor. 14:33)

Gentiles (non-Jews) were once outside of God’s covenant care, but now they are accepted because Christ is their peace:

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. (Eph. 2:14)

A great promise here:

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thess. 3:16)

This verse promises peace:

The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace. (Ps. 29:11)

This verse promises peace for anyone who finds wisdom, personified as a woman:

Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace. (Prov. 3:17)

The next verse is a prophecy about Jesus the Messiah:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:7)

Israel sinned, and God judged them, but now he promises healing and peace:

I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
¹⁹  creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the Lord. “And I will heal them.” (Is. 57:18-19)

Jesus said he had peace, and he will give it to his followers:

²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Let your mind be governed by the Spirit, and you will enjoy eternal life on earth and peace:

⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Rom. 8:6)

One of the virtues within the fruit (singular) of the Spirit is peace:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:22)

God is active even in peace:

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep. (Ps. 121:4)

Peace in the kingdom through the Spirit:

¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is … a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14:17)

E. How can I know God more intimately?

God sees that the world is in turmoil. He wants to give you peace through it all. Reread John 14:27, above. Jesus gives us his peace. Meditate on that verse and on his willingness to give his peace to you.

One of the greatest promises in the entire Old Testament is the next one:

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Is. 26:3)

It teaches us to keep our minds steadfast—how? Meditate on the verses of peace. Meditate on Is. 26:3. Think about it night and day. Repeat it under your breath when people are around and out loud when you’re alone.

God’s peace, which he is very eager to give you, will descend on you and fill you.

And then you’ll know God better because you tuned into his nature. He is the God of peace, not turmoil or disorder.

II. Patience

A. Brief intro.

Without it, we would be doomed because we would get what we deserved—quickly.

B. What do scholars say?

The language of the Old Testament is Hebrew. And patience is expressed in an idiom: ‘erek ‘appyim (14 times) that literally means “long of nose” (!), which is better if we translate it as “slow to anger.” In humans the opposite is hothead or short-fused—explosive. It is easy to see that God too is none of those things. “God’s patience must not be underestimated. Because he is patient with us, he does not treat us as we deserved; thus, we do not perish” (Mounce, p. 501)

In the New Testament, written in Greek, the verb is makrothumeō (10 times), and the noun is makrothumia (14 times). Makro (macro) means long in the sense of time, and thumos is the soul as the seat of feelings and passions, including anger or temper. Another Greek word, much more common, is the noun hypomonē or hupomonē (32 times) and the verb hypomenō or hupomenō (17 times), which literally means to “remain under” something, as in “endure it.” Verb: “Be patient, persevere, endure, be steadfast”; and the noun: “patience, steadfastness, and endurance.” (Mounce, pp. 501-02 and NIDNTT, p. 581).

Those great definitions are mostly about people who have to show patience. But how do the definitions relate to God’s attribute of patience?

C. Quick definition:

This attribute or perfection of God means that he is filled with moral steadfastness despite opposition and forbearance despite provocation, which prompts him not to act hastily or impetuously, but to withhold his just anger and judgment, and to wait a long time for humans to receive his salvation and walk in his ways.

Quicker definition: He is willing to wait for us to catch up to his moral law and show mercy and not judgment, despite our provoking him and breaking his law.

Now let’s turn to the Scriptures.

D. What do the Scriptures say?

While Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites worshiped a false god. In his holy justice, he was about to eliminate them. Moses intervened and asked God to show him his glory. God relented and showed Moses a part of his glory and spoke these words:

⁶ And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, ⁷ maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.  (Ex. 34:6-7)

The key phrase in the above passage is “slow to anger.” These verses have the same phrase: Num. 14:18; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 86:15, 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jon. 4:2; Nah. 1:3

In this passage, the psalmist uses the same phrase, but expands on what God’s forgiveness looks like:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps. 103:8-10)

Jeremiah was suffering persecution from his political enemies. He wanted God—not him—to avenge him for their injustice. The key word is “longsuffering” or “long allowance”:

Lord, you understand;
remember me and care for me.
Avenge me on my persecutors.
You are long-suffering—do not take me away;
think of how I suffer reproach for your sake. (Jer. 15:15)

It is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance, but his kindness cannot be presumed on. The key word is patience (makrothumia):

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Rom. 2:4)

In this verse Paul refers to the Pharaoh who oppressed God’s people with injustice and slavery. God had to act and judge the Pharaoh, but God was very patient before rendered his verdict. The key word is patience (makrothumia):

What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? (Rom. 9:22)

Do you ever wonder why the Old Testament was written? There are many reasons, but here is one that encourages the individual reader. The key word appears twice: endurance (hypomonē). Verse 5 literally says, the “God of endurance,” so clearly he possesses this attribute:

 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. ⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had. (Rom. 15:4-6)

One of the virtues in the fruit (singular) of the Spirit is patience or forbearance (makrothymia), so the Spirit must have it if he produces it in us.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:22)

In Paul’s personal testimony of his life before Christ and after him, he says that Christ displayed his immense patience (makrothumeō) towards him:

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.  (1 Tim. 1:16)

Christ is said to possess perseverance (hupomonē), which he gives to us:

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (2 Thess. 3:5)

God waited patiently—a long time—(makrothumeō) for people to repent in the time of Noah:

To those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.  (1 Pet. 3:20)

God is patient (makrothumeō) with us for a purpose. What is it?

 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:9)

What does the Lord’s patience (makrothumia) mean?

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…. (2 Pet. 3:15)

He patiently waits for us finally to get saved, to respond to his call to salvation.

E. How can I get to know God more deeply?

The attribute or perfection of patience means that God gently works with slow, sin-sick, blind humans to get them to be the best they can be, as they journey along in life. He knows they stumble and fall, but he kindly lifts them up and waits for them.

Think of a parent waiting for a toddler as the boy walks along on the sidewalk, haltingly, distractingly. The parent holds out his hand and encourages him: “Come on. Come.” The toddler might respond instantly and take the parent’s hand or go his own way. And sometimes the parent may have to run after him, if he is about to dart out in to traffic. God is patient with us in the same way.

Most of the verses in the New Testament about patience are directed at humans. We are the ones who are called to be patient. Do we have to do it in our own strength? No. He gives the Spirit to live inside us.

Here is the key verse again, and the word forbearance could be translated “patience”:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:22)

And as we walk in him, we see patience grow in us. It grows naturally-supernaturally. We don’t have to struggle and strive. One key to the verse is self-control. Just stay within yourself and be at peace. It is now clear that all the virtues of the fruit need to grow, and then patience gets easier.

Life in the Spirit is the highlight of the Renewalist’s daily routine—or it should be. Walk in him; meditate on him and Jesus—all as God give you grace.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Works Cited