Fruits of the Spirit: Bible Verses on Patience

In different versions of the Bible, the word patience can also be translated as longsuffering, steadfastness, forbearance, endurance, or perseverance. I have included verses with all of the above translations. Put together, these terms describe a person who continues to love God and love others, despite suffering for a long time. This person waits gracefully for God to answer prayers. He shows kind tolerance to others who mistreat or annoy him. He stays faithful in the midst of trying circumstances. He uses self-control, rather than impulse, in his interactions. He persists through challenging times, and he never gives up. The Holy Spirit can foster this character quality in us as we grow closer to God.

Luke 8:15 "Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance." Psalm 40:1 "I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry."

Lamentations 3:25 "Yahweh is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."

Romans 5:3-4 "Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:"

Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience."

Romans 12:12 KJV "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"

1 Corinthians 13:4a "Love is patient and is kind."

Galatians 6:9 "Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up."

Ephesians 4:2 "With all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love," Colossians 1:11 KJV "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;" Colossians 3:12-13a "Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other..." 1 Timothy 1:15-16 "...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life." 2 Timothy 2:24 "The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,"

Hebrews 10:36 "For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise."

James 1:3b-4 "The testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." 2 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."

Revelation 2:2-3 "I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men...You have perseverance and have endured for my name’s sake, and have not grown weary. Revelation 3:10 "Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." Revelation 14:12 KJV "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

*Unless otherwise noted, I use the World English Bible, because it is a free, public domain translation. Verses marked KJV are taken from the King James Version. Feel free to look up all the verses in your preferred translation! These lists are in no way comprehensive, and I am in no way an expert. These are simply passages I have found helpful in personal study. *

Nicole Jackson-Ozment