What Does the Bible Say About Being Patient with Others?
What Does the Bible Say About Being Patient with Others? The Bible calls believers to be patient with one another as God has been patient with them, bearing with faults and extending grace in relationships.
Key verse: Colossians 3:12-13 (KJV)
The Bible calls believers to be patient with one another as God has been patient with them, bearing with faults and extending grace in relationships.
The Bible calls believers to be patient with one another as God has been patient with them, bearing with faults and extending grace in relationships.
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another." — Colossians 3:12-13 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Patience with others flows from experiencing God's patience with us. Paul connects them directly: 'Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you' (Ephesians 4:32). Colossians 3:12-13 commands: 'Put on therefore... longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another.' Love 'suffereth long, and is kind' (1 Corinthians 13:4). God Himself is 'longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish' (2 Peter 3:9). Patience means enduring difficult people without retaliation, giving others room to grow, not demanding instant change, and trusting God to work in others' lives on His timeline. It is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), meaning it is produced by God's power, not human willpower.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Patience?
What the Bible teaches about patience, waiting on God, and enduring with grace.
Key Scripture References
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another."
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up."
"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Patience?
The Bible teaches that patience is a fruit of the Spirit and a mark of spiritual maturity, developed through trials and trust in God's timing.
What Is the Fruit of the Spirit?
The fruit of the Spirit is the character produced in believers by the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
What Does the Bible Say About Money?
The Bible doesn't condemn money itself but warns against the love of money and teaches generosity, contentment, and wise stewardship.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Colossians. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Colossians on day 343 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Being Patient with Others?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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