μακροθυμέω (makrothumeō)
makrothumeō
to have patience
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb makrothumeō describes a steadfast patience that refuses to give up or lose heart. It literally means to be "long-spirited," suggesting a temperament that does not quickly exhaust itself under pressure or provocation. This is an active endurance, a perseverance through difficulties rather than a passive waiting.
In the New Testament, it frequently describes how people bear with one another’s faults. Jesus uses this word when teaching about forgiveness in Matthew 18:26-29, where the servant asks for patience in repaying a debt. James also applies it to believers waiting for the Lord’s return (James 5:7-8), urging them to remain steady while enduring hardship.
Its root combines makros ("long") and thymos ("spirit" or "anger"). This etymology highlights that true patience is not merely suppressing anger, but maintaining a long view of relationships and justice. Translators often render it as "forbearance" or "patience," capturing the idea of slowing down one’s reaction to allow time for grace.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word makrothumeō paints a picture of a spirit that refuses to burn out quickly. It is not passive waiting, but an active choice to hold back immediate reaction when provoked or disappointed. This long-spirited patience allows grace to operate in relationships that might otherwise fracture under pressure.
When we face difficult people or slow answers from God, this virtue invites us to steady our hearts. Like the farmer in James 5 who waits for the rain, we are called to remain firm in hope. This patience is a gift that protects our peace and reflects the character of Christ, who bears with our weaknesses.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do be patient3×
- do have patience2×
- is patient,1×
- is patient1×
- having waited patiently1×
- being patient1×
- be patient1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μακροθύμησον2×
- μακροθυμεῖ2×
- μακροθυμῶν1×
- μακροθυμήσατε1×
- μακροθυμήσας1×
- μακροθυμεῖτε1×
- μακροθυμεῖ,1×
- Μακροθυμήσατε1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,
This verse anchors love in patient endurance, showing that true affection is proven by how long one can bear with another's flaws without giving up.
-
II Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Here the word explains God’s delay not as slowness, but as a deliberate mercy intended to give everyone time for repentance.
-
James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.
The farmer analogy illustrates that patience involves active, steady waiting for a specific outcome rather than idle inactivity.