What Does “Forbear” Mean in the Bible?

What Does Forbear Mean in the Bible?

In the Bible, forbear means to hold back from taking revenge or punishment, instead exercising patience, tolerance, and forgiveness. It is a call to endure trials and hardships, remain steadfast in faith, and love others unconditionally – even those who have wronged you.

Forbearance is often used in the New Testament, specifically in the letters of Paul. In Colossians 3:12-13, he urges believers to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This passage emphasizes the importance of exercising forbearance with those around us, following Christ’s example of forgiveness and love.

Similarly, in 1 Peter 3:8-9, the apostle writes, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” Here, Peter highlights the idea of forbearance as a way to overcome evil with good, and to inherit the blessings promised to us in Christ.

In essence, forbearance is a call to exercise self-control, compassion, and forgiveness in order to live in harmony with others and honor God’s commands.

Forbear Definition Bible

The Bible uses the word forbear to signify the importance of self-control, discipline, and patience in one’s life. In the Old Testament, forbear can be used as a command from God to the Israelites, instructing them to exercise restraint and avoid certain behaviors. Forbearance is also mentioned in the New Testament as a characteristic of a Christian, representing the ability to restrain oneself from reacting negatively to provocations.

Forbearance as God’s Command

Forbear is used as a command from God in several instances in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 15:1-2, God instructs the Israelites to forgive debts owed to them during the seventh year, stating, “At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.” This act of forbearance both demonstrates an act of mercy and trust in God’s provision for the future.

Similarly, in Leviticus 19:18, the Bible instructs the Israelites to “not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.” This commandment emphasizes the importance of exercising forbearance and treating others with kindness, even in situations where revenge might be warranted.

Forbearance as a Christian Virtue

In the New Testament, forbearance is presented as a virtue that Christians should strive for. Colossians 3:12-13 states, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This passage urges Christians to practice forbearance and compassion towards others, recognizing their own shortcomings and failures and extending grace to others in their weaknesses.

Similarly, Ephesians 4:1-3 encourages believers to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” This passage emphasizes the importance of forbearance in maintaining healthy relationships with others and fostering a sense of unity in the church.

Conclusion

In summary, the Bible uses the word forbear to teach us the importance of exercising self-control, discipline, and patience in our lives, both towards ourselves and others. God’s commands to the Israelites in the Old Testament demonstrate the importance of forbearance as an act of mercy and trust in God’s provision, while the New Testament presents forbearance as a Christian virtue that we should strive for in our daily lives. By practicing forbearance, Christians can foster healthy relationships, demonstrate God’s love and grace to others, and grow in their own personal character and faith.

Examples of Forbearance in the Bible

Forbearance is defined as the act of being patient and understanding towards someone despite their flaws or mistakes. In the Bible, there are numerous examples of forbearance, highlighting the importance of this virtue in our lives. Here are some of the most noteworthy examples:

God’s Patience towards Humanity

One of the most prominent examples of forbearance in the Bible can be seen through God’s patience towards humanity. Despite our many sins and shortcomings, God continues to show us mercy and grace, forgiving us time and time again. In 2 Peter 3:9, it says, “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.” This verse highlights how God’s forbearance towards our faults is a testament to his love and compassion for us.

The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 also showcases God’s forbearance towards humanity. The younger son, after receiving his inheritance, squandered it on reckless living, only to return home to his father in repentance. Despite the son’s foolishness, the father did not hold a grudge and instead forgave him and celebrated his return.

Paul’s Instruction to the Colossians

Another example of forbearance in the Bible is seen through Paul’s instruction to the Colossians. In Colossians 3:13, he writes, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This verse highlights how we, as Christians, should also exercise forbearance towards one another. It reminds us that we are all flawed and may make mistakes, but we must learn to forgive and show patience towards each other.

Paul also showcases his own forbearance towards the Corinthians, even when they questioned his authority. In 2 Corinthians 10:1, he writes, “By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you – I, Paul, who am ‘timid’ when face to face with you, but ‘bold’ when away!” Paul’s willingness to be gentle and patient towards the Corinthians, despite their actions, serves as a powerful example of how we should strive towards forbearance.

Conclusion

The examples of forbearance in the Bible remind us to be patient and understanding towards those around us, just as God is patient and understanding towards us. We should strive towards this virtue and learn to forgive and show compassion, even when it’s difficult. Forbearance is an important part of our Christian journey, as it allows us to build stronger relationships with those around us and grow closer to God.

Forgive definition in the Bible

Why Forbearance is Important to Christians

Forbearance is a virtue that is not only encouraged in the Bible but also widely accepted among Christians. Forbearance is the ability to be patient, tolerant, and forgiving towards others, even in the face of provocation, offense, or wrongdoing. It is a crucial aspect of Christian faith that helps believers to live together in harmony and love, as well as to grow in their relationship with God. In this article, we explore why forbearance is important to Christians and how it is expressed in the Bible.

The Biblical Basis of Forbearance

The Bible is replete with teachings on the importance of forbearance. In the New Testament, the word “forbearance” is often used to describe God’s patience and longsuffering towards sinners. For instance, in Romans 2:4, Paul writes, “Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Similarly, in Colossians 3:13, Paul exhorts Christians to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Moreover, the Bible teaches that forbearance is essential to promoting love and unity among believers. In Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul writes, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Forbearance is not only a desirable quality among Christians, but it is also necessary for the growth and health of the Church.

The Practice of Forbearance

Forbearance is not an abstract concept but a practical virtue that Christians are called to practice in their daily lives. In essence, forbearance involves putting the interests of others before one’s own and seeking to understand and empathize with them. This entails being slow to anger, quick to forgive, and eager to reconcile with others. Forbearance also involves overlooking minor offenses, being patient towards those who are difficult to deal with, and showing kindness and compassion even to those who do not deserve it.

The practice of forbearance requires a great deal of humility, self-control, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It is not easy to forgive those who have wronged us or to show kindness to those who oppose us. However, as Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to follow the example of Christ, who demonstrated ultimate forbearance by laying down his life for us.

The Benefits of Forbearance

The practice of forbearance has numerous benefits for Christians. First and foremost, it promotes peace and harmony within the Church and helps to prevent conflicts and divisions. When Christians are patient and forgiving towards one another, they create an environment of trust, respect, and love that is conducive to spiritual growth and fellowship. Forbearance also helps Christians to cultivate a more Christlike character, as they learn to imitate Christ’s humility, gentleness, and longsuffering towards others.

Moreover, the practice of forbearance is a powerful witness to the world, as it demonstrates the transformative power of the Gospel. When non-believers see Christians living out the values of grace, forgiveness, and compassion, they are more likely to be drawn to the message of Jesus Christ. Forbearance also helps Christians to avoid the dangers of bitterness, resentment, and hatred, which can harm their spiritual lives and relationships.

Conclusion

In conclusion, forbearance is an essential aspect of Christian faith that promotes love, peace, and unity among believers. It is a virtue that is expressed in the Bible and urged upon Christians as a means of imitating Christ’s sacrificial love for us. The practice of forbearance requires a great deal of humility, self-control, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, but it yields numerous benefits for believers and is a powerful witness to the world. As Christians, let us strive to be patient, tolerant, and forgiving towards others, following the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Saint definition in the Bible

Forbearance in Daily Life

As humans, we often go through daily struggles that can lead us to react in emotional ways. However, practicing forbearance in our daily lives can be the key to maintaining peace and harmony in our relationships with others. Forbearance is defined as the act of showing patience, self-control, and tolerance towards others. It involves being able to control our emotions and reactions, even in the face of difficult situations.

One way that we can practice forbearance in our daily lives is by showing kindness to others, regardless of their behavior towards us. This means that we should treat others with the same respect and kindness that we would like to receive. For example, if someone is rude or disrespectful towards us, we can choose to respond with kindness rather than retaliating with similar behavior. This act of kindness can often diffuse the situation, leading to a more positive outcome.

Another way that we can practice forbearance is by showing understanding towards others. This means that we should try to see things from their perspective, even if we don’t necessarily agree with their point of view. For example, if someone has a different political or religious belief than us, we should try to understand why they hold that belief, rather than simply dismissing them as wrong or misguided. By showing understanding and empathy towards others, we can often build stronger and more meaningful relationships.

In addition to showing kindness and understanding, we should also practice forgiveness as a form of forbearance. Forgiveness involves letting go of grudges and resentments towards others, even if they have wronged us in some way. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to forget what happened, but rather that we choose to move on from the situation and not hold it against the other person. By practicing forgiveness, we can often heal our own emotional wounds and move towards a more positive and peaceful future.

Overall, practicing forbearance in daily life can be a challenging but rewarding task. By showing kindness, understanding, and forgiveness towards others, we can build stronger relationships and maintain a sense of peace and harmony in our daily interactions. It’s important to remember that forbearance is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength and emotional intelligence. By choosing to practice forbearance in our lives, we can become better and more compassionate human beings.

Differentiating Forbearance from Tolerance and Forgiveness

Forbearance is often confused with both tolerance and forgiveness, but it is important to note that they are not synonymous. While they are all useful virtues, their definitions and applications are different. Forbearance involves a level of self-restraint and patience that enables individuals to endure hardships, injustices, and mistreatment without retaliating or seeking revenge.

Tolerance, on the other hand, is the ability to accept or endure differences among individuals, particularly those pertaining to beliefs, opinions, or cultural backgrounds. It involves respecting the right of others to hold different views or positions without attempting to impose one’s beliefs on them.

Forgiveness, on the other hand, is the conscious decision to release feelings of resentment, anger, or hostility towards individuals who have wronged us. It involves letting go of the desire to seek revenge or harm those who have caused us pain, and instead choosing to move on with our lives in a positive manner.

Forbearance, tolerance, and forgiveness are all different virtues, but they are interlinked and necessary for a fulfilling life. Without forbearance, an individual might easily give up or react in a negative manner when faced with difficult situations or people who don’t share their views. Similarly, without tolerance, one might be rigid and unwilling to compromise or accept differing beliefs, leading to conflict and division. And without forgiveness, an individual might be weighed down by negative emotions and be unable to move forward.

In the Bible, forbearance is regularly praised as a virtue. In Colossians 3:13, it is written, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” This verse emphasizes on the importance of forbearance as well as forgiveness. It encourages individuals to practice self-restraint and tolerate the actions of others while also extending forgiveness when necessary.

Forbearance requires a level of maturity and a commitment to personal growth. It calls for us to put others above ourselves and disregard our pride. It requires us to have a level of resilience that enables us to withstand challenges and overcome difficulties. When we are able to exercise forbearance, we become more patient, more courteous, and more virtuous.

In conclusion, though tolerance and forgiveness bear similarities with forbearance, they are not the same. Forbearance requires a level of self-restraint and patience to endure hardships, while tolerance involves acceptance of beliefs and opinions and forgiveness t is the conscious decision to release feelings of resentment and move forward positively. Forbearance, as praised in the Bible, is necessary for promoting a harmonious and fulfilled life.

Cycle count definition

Forbearance in Relation to God’s Will

Forbearance refers to the act of showing self-restraint, patience, and tolerance towards other people’s mistakes, weaknesses, or offenses. It is a crucial component of Christian virtues as it enables us to love God and our neighbors as ourselves, even in the midst of challenging situations. When we practice forbearance, we imitate Jesus Christ, who humbly endured insults, persecution, and death on the cross for our sake.

Forbearance is not an easy task, especially when we have been wronged or mistreated by others. It requires us to surrender our pride, anger, and desire for revenge to God, trusting that He will judge righteously and make everything right in due time. Forbearance also requires us to understand that everyone is unique, with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and that we should treat them with respect and compassion, regardless of our differences.

The Biblical Basis for Forbearance

The Bible teaches us that forbearance is an essential aspect of God’s character. Psalm 103:8-10 says, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.” Similarly, Colossians 3:13-14 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

In other words, God calls us to show forbearance towards others because He has first shown it to us. We are all sinners in need of His mercy and grace, and when we understand this truth, we can extend our forgiveness and understanding towards our brothers and sisters in Christ. As James 2:13 says, “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Seven Aspects of Forbearance

The Bible provides us with several examples and teachings on how to practice forbearance in different situations. Here are seven aspects of forbearance that can help us become more Christ-like in our attitudes and actions:

1. Long-suffering: This means having the patience to endure difficult circumstances or people without giving up or losing hope. In 1 Corinthians 13:4, Paul writes, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant.”
2. Gentleness: This means being considerate and thoughtful towards others’ feelings and needs, even when they are being unkind or unreasonable. In Galatians 6:1, Paul writes, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”
3. Humility: This means recognizing our own weaknesses and failures and being willing to ask for forgiveness and make amends when we have wronged others. In Philippians 2:3, Paul writes, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
4. Forgiveness: This means releasing the debt we hold against others and choosing to love and bless them instead. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
5. Understanding: This means seeking to see things from others’ perspectives and looking for ways to build bridges of communication and reconciliation. In Colossians 4:5-6, Paul writes, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
6. Love: This means putting others’ needs and wellbeing ahead of our own and showing them the same sacrificial love that Christ has shown us. In John 15:12-13, Jesus says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
7. Hope: This means trusting in God’s goodness and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem bleak or discouraging. In Romans 5:3-5, Paul writes, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

When we practice these aspects of forbearance in our daily lives, we become more like Christ and witness to the world of His transforming power and grace. May God help us all to grow in forbearance and love.