Empowered by the Spirit – 32

Key Text: “I waited patiently [kavah kiviti] for the Lord;  and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.”  (Psalm 40:1)

Part 1: Patience – A Divine Fruit Rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures

Patience is a quiet strength, an endurance that allows us to trust in God’s perfect timing. As one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, patience is a key element in living a life rooted in faith (Galatians 5:22). To truly grasp its meaning, we must explore it origins in the Hebrew Scriptures and Greek text, where we discover that patience is not just passive waiting but an active, often burdensome, virtue.

The Hebrew Perspective: Savlanut, Erech Apayim, and Erech Ruach

In modern Hebrew, patience is referred to as savlanut, a word derived from the root samech-bet-lamed, meaning “to carry a heavy load.” This is a fitting metaphor because patience often feels like a burden. It requires inner strength to carry emotional, spiritual, or physical weight while trusting in God’s plan.

Rabbi Josh Levy highlights this when he says, “What is so wonderful about this word is that it recognizes that patience is not easy… It requires an effort of spirit. That to be patient can feel heavy. Like carrying a weight, carrying a burden.” His insight reminds us that patience is not something that comes easily for most of us, but rather, it demands strength and endurance—like carrying a heavy load through difficult times.

In the Bible, patience is more commonly described as erech apayim, which means “slow to anger” or “long breath” or “long of nostrils.” This phrase beautifully illustrates how God Himself demonstrates patience, as seen in Exodus 34:6: “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” God’s patience is not passive—it is a form of active restraint, where He delays judgment to offer His people the chance to repent and grow.

Another biblical term is erech ruach, meaning “long spirit” or “calm disposition.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 says, “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” This verse encourages us to remain patient, not because the waiting is easy, but because the reward is greater when we endure to the end.

There is also a sense from the Hebrew word, ‘Chool‘, of whirling, twisting, twirling or writhing. It demonstrates the actions motions we go through when trying to hold on, whilst going through pain.

Biblical Example: Moses’ Patience with Israel

One of the most striking examples of patience in the Hebrew Bible is Moses. His patience with the Israelites, who constantly grumbled and rebelled in the wilderness, mirrors God’s own patience with His people. In Exodus 32, when the Israelites create the golden calf, God is ready to destroy them, but Moses pleads for their forgiveness. In this story, we see both the weight of patience (Moses’ burden of leadership) and the beauty of erech apayim, as God withholds His anger.

The Greek Foundation: Makrothumia and Hupomone

In the New Testament, patience is expressed through two Greek words—makrothumia and hupomone—which expand upon the Hebrew understanding. Makrothumia is often translated as “long-suffering” and refers to the ability to endure personal offenses without retaliation. It is used to describe God’s patience toward humanity, particularly His willingness to wait for us to turn to Him (Romans 2:4).

Hupomone, on the other hand, emphasizes endurance through difficult circumstances. James 1:3-4 says, “The testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” This kind of patience is about remaining steadfast even when trials seem endless.

Is it any wonder then that those who are in hospitals waiting to be healed are called patients?

In a way all believers are patients in the hospital of the Holy Spirit, because He is working out in us God’s perfect conditions for our lives.

Tomorrow we will look at this word from some other angles.

A Prayer for Patience

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your enduring patience with me. Teach me to carry the weight of patience with grace, like Moses, and to trust in Your perfect timing. Help me to be slow to anger, quick to love, and steadfast in faith as I wait for Your promises to unfold.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.