Forbearance is a multifaceted word that cannot be simply explained by just one word in the English language. There are various synonyms that can shed light to the nuances of forbearance. Patience is one of them. Patience is to restrain when provoked or offended even though one has every right to exact what is owed to him. Another word, leniency, means not exacting the full force of the punishment for someone’s action, but to be less harsh in doing so. Tolerance is one more. There are different levels of tolerance. One can tolerate a person but not what he has done, especially when he is trying to change. Toleration can be withholding actions or controlling one’s anger that one might regret later. Endurance and longsuffering are also synonymous, and even clemency is used in the New King James translation. Another is mildness. Mildness is not harsh in judgment or reaction. Mercy and pardon are synonyms too. These synonyms illustrates how extensive and broad the application of this word forbearance can be.
In the Old Testament, there are several Hebrew words used that are translated as forbear, forbearance or forbearing, but they all have similar meanings. They can mean to keep silent or to be still, to stop or leave off doing something, to withhold from, or to spare another. Another is to draw or to stretch out or to prolong as in drawing out, or stretching out another’s period of grace to repay a debt. It is also to contain or hold in, as in restraining how one feels instead of lashing out in our anger or frustration. The Greek translation of forbearance is used twice in the New Testament with God (Romans 2:4 and 3:25); and sometimes translated as toleration. It is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). In Greek, it means holding back or delaying something consequential. This means a delayed response in meting out the consequences, and in this case, God’s judgment of our sin as used in Romans.
Therefore, the word forbearance is an all-encompassing word that captures the characteristics of God. There are nuances of His justice, mercy, righteousness, grace and longsuffering that we are called to bear resemblance to in our lives through the relationships with others, whether they are believers or not. This is revealed and exemplified in the Person of His Son Jesus Christ in whose footsteps we are called to follow.
However, the application of forbearance does not mean we tolerate sin, especially when it is repeated over again and there is no indication of change on the part of the sinner. The history of Israel in the Old Testament has shown that God also came to a point where He no longer tolerated the sins of His people, and sent judgment on them. Therefore, we should not use this word to teach that love means forbearing or tolerating sin without end. Love must confront sin!
Leave a Reply