Good Monday morning!

Let’s continue our study of what Paul calls “the fruit of the Spirit.” 

Now today we add to the list “longsuffering.” 

Of  course (as I just said) we’re merely following Paul the Apostle, master list-builder!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, LONGSUFFERING, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance,” Galatians 5:22-23 … this well know and admirable “list of nine!”

But for sure … “longsuffering” now has become a rather archaic word. (In the Greek language “arche” simply means “beginning.”)

Spelled “makrothumia,” the noun is compound, a “blend” of a preposition with a noun!

The prefix/preposition “makro” means “of great length,” or “long lasting.” It may ultimately even relate to “megas,” meaning “big, great, huge!” 

Then we must add “thumos,” indicating “passion, fierceness, indignation,” and then “anger or wrath!” Very intensive emotion, definitely!

Put these two words (ideas) together and we get “anger” that does not erupt quickly! Or … anger/wrath that is slow developing! 

One scholar says “longsuffering” is “forbearance,” or simply “putting up with something” without exploding so easily, so quickly!

Wow!

Now let’s look at how “makrothumia” is used in the New Testament. Noticing how God the Holy Spirit (the True Author of Scripture) uses the term.

I find the word 14 times in all, including our Text here today. Below is a sampling (though just a couple) of these … with a brief comment or two.

Here’s its very first use, first appearance in the New Testament: Romans 2:4 … “Or despisest thou the riches of His (God’s) goodness and forbearance and LONGSUFFERING (makrothumia); not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” We Christians can thus exercise (show) longsuffering because God has first shown it to, toward us!

But for sure the preponderance of times “makrothumia” is used in he Bible it applies to us Believers in Jesus! (The Latin verb “pondere” means “to make heavy.”)

As in Paul’s Colossians list of what is essentially the fruit of the Spirit, just worded differently! Colossians 3:12-13 … “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, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Putting up with one another graciously, without harsh interaction!) 

Wow!

One more general “thought” or “rule” about longsuffering. Though occasionally translated “patience” (2 times of the 14 times it’s used in the New Testament) “makrothumia” generally suggests a “non-hasty (or rash) reaction” to PEOPLE! Those especially hard to love people in our lives. They do appear on the horizon from time to time, don’t they! Whereas “hupomone” (the other New Testament word for “patience”) generally deals with non-violent reactions … to THINGS! 

Wow!

“Longsuffering” then is in reality the very opposite of being “short tempered!” 

God, grant it in our lives!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE …” Galatians 5:22, where “peace” the last member of the first triad of these marvelous graces! (Three “sets” of threes! Do you remember the recent Lesson on the “order” of this list?)

And what a rich heritage this noun “peace” enjoys.

The word is “eirene” but it is the normal translation of the Hebrew noun “shalom!” The great (vast in scope) Old Testament word for “peace.”

Wow!

Peace indeed!

The Greek “eirene” is actually derived from a root verb (“eiro”) which means “to join together!”

As when two former enemies have now been “joined together” in some sort of pact, treaty, cease-fire! No longer at war, but in harmony!

As when a husband and wife no longer talk of divorce, but have been “joined together” in renewed (fervent) love for each other!

As when a sinner, long at war with God, has now (via the Blood of Jesus) been “joined together” with God, having met at the foot of the old rugged Cross! Reconciled! Now enjoying “atonement!” Truly … at peace with Almighty God!

Wow again!

But this peace the Holy Spirit births in our hearts is even more than the foregoing!

What I have described so far is “peace WITH God,” for example. In other words, you are no longer under God’s Wrath! No longer condemned to Hell!

But this “eirene” gift also brings the “peace OF God” to us!

Meaning that I can enjoy the very peace that God has in His Heart (!!!) … no matter how boisterous outward conditions may be!

“Peace in the mist of storm,” as the hymn writer noted!

Yes, God’s very Peace!

“Peace I leave with you, MY PEACE I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus, in John 14:27.

Yes, again … the Peace of God!

Via The dear Holy Spirit of Peace!

Enjoy Him today!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Years ago I heard a wise Preacher say, “Joy (here in our “fruit of the Spirit” list) is merely love (agape) smiling, rejoicing! In other words, the one leads to the other!

Would there ever be any joy … without love?

Paul preached it, more than once apparently: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.”

And, as you can already tell, we are (studying) on the second of these graces today.

The Greek word for “joy” is “chara.” It is used as a noun 59 times in the New Testament. And as a verb (“chairo”) 74 more times. (Then we can rightly conclude … “the New Testament is a rather JOYFUL Book,” isn’t it?)

To define “chara” … “gladness” is about the best I can do!

But it is not merely human joy, happiness! It is “joy in the Lord!” It is joy as a “fruit of the Spirit!” It is joy as a result of being “right with God!” In fact, “chara” (joy) is grammatically, etymologically related to the Greek noun “charis” (grace)! One likely never knows the true joy of God in his or her life … apart from already knowing the Grace of God in that heart!

Wow!

This Quality (joy) meant so much to the Godhead, then to the early Christians who were truly saved … that they even used the verb (“chairo”) as a greeting!

This is how James began his Epistle. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, GREETING.” James 1:1 where “greeting” is the verb “chairo!” Literally the sentence is “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, REJOICE!”

Even angels use such language! “And the angel (Gabriel) came in unto her (the Virgin Mary), and said, HAIL, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” Luke 1:28, where “Hail” is “chairo!” As in: “And the angel came in unto her, and said, REJOICE, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

Even the Resurrected Jesus did this! “And as they (a group of ladies) went to tell his disciples (about the Resurrection), behold, Jesus met them, saying, ALL HAIL (“chairo” … REJOICE). And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.”

Joy that comes from Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit!

Joy that cannot be described, not adequately! “Whom (Jesus) having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy UNSPEAKABLE and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8, “joy unspeakable,” (a+ek+laleo), Greek for “that cannot be exposited, cannot be spoken!” 

This joy permeates every area of life for the Christian.

We are happy people!

No mater the circumstances!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Praise the Lord!

 

The Greek word is “agape.”`

Its English equivalent, “love!” 

In the King James Version it is translated “charity” 27 times as well. (“Love” is its KJV rendering a total of 86 times, though.)

And this concept (this noun) heads Paul’s list of virtues in Galatians 5:22-23. Sprit produced qualities designed for the true Believer in Jesus!

Perhaps “agape” is listed first (by Paul here) because it is the “hinge” on which the door of real Christian “freedom” swings!

Now that God has granted me freedom (from the law of Moses) … I am led (of the Spirit) to serve my brothers and sister in Christ, to serve them “in love!” 

Re-read Galatians 5:13 please … “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, BUT BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHR.”

Wow!

Now our Text … “But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE …” (Here we begin an exciting nine Lesson journey! Stay with us!)

What does it mean, “love” or “agape?”

It is derived, many scholars believe, from a Greek root word spelled “agan,” which essentially means “much!” I love this possibility! Love, which is first God’s Love … is drawn (“much”) from an inexhaustible supply!

Wow!

God’s Love will never be depleted!

As Christians filled with the Holy Spirit … neither should ours!

Now …  as far as the many qualities of “agape love” … Paul in 1st Corinthians 13 lists them magnificently. There of course under the moniker “charity.” But it’s still “agape.” 

A committee of Greek scholars (many years ago now) expanded and defined Paul’s exposition this way, “love in action!”

“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends].”

Isn’t that beautiful?

(I am not condoning everything that committee wrote. I merely use this paragraph as an illustration of the “beauty” of genuine “agape” love.)

The “Source” of this love, so powerfully mediated by the Holy Ghost of God? 1 John 4:19 tells us … “We love Him (our great God), because He first loved us.” Both “love” verbs used here translate “agapao!”

This love to us is a divine gift! “Poured into us” the very moment we were saved, according to Romans 5:5. “The love of God IS SHED ABROAD (poured, gushed out) in our hearts BY THE HOLY GHOST which is given unto us.”

Wow!

Yet again, this special “love” is to be retained, guarded, treasured, and further developed in our lives! We have an obligation to it! Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:1 … “Follow after charity (agape)!” Where “follow” means “to chase, to pursue” that love! An imperative verb, I might add, a stark command!

Folks, pages could be written on “agape,” and have been! Thousands of pages!

But today surely I have shared enough information to roughly outline the path we should be walking!

Love!

Love!

Love!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Now comes Paul’s “corresponding list” of good things (the fruit of the Spirit)! As opposed to his previous list of bad things (the works of the flesh).

I am today interested in the “order” of his list.

Other such litanies of “spiritual prowess, spiritual growth” existed in the ancient Christian world. In fact, at times Paul may have even hinted at other sequences of godly character development!

In Romans 5, for example, it goes: “faith, joy, patience, experience, hope and love!” Where love is near the end, at the end, the climax!

Even in Paul’s “short list,” located in 1 Corinthians 13: “and now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity,” there is variation.

And James, in his little Epistle (its opening paragraph), has a list as well. “Temptations (meaning trials), joy, patience, then wisdom!”

But Peter, surprisingly, tops them all. What a list, a veritable “spiritual growth chart!” in his Second Epistle, chapter 1: 5-11. “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your FAITH virtue; and to VIRTUE knowledge; and to KNOWLEDGE temperance; and to TEMPERANCE patience; and to PATIENCE godliness; and to GODLINESS brotherly kindness; and to BROTHERLY KINDNESS … CHARITY (LOVE). For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

Wow!

This much can certainly be said. With all these “differences,” especially in their order of appearance … no one writer “copied” from another! The Holy Spirit Himself must have been the true Source of each individual compilation here!

But now, to the “fruit of the Spirit” list. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23, that Book’s “trademark!”

But even this can be shortened! As is seen in Ephesians 5:9. “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” Paul again!

Wow!

Now a couple of observations about Paul’s “fullest” list.

He here (in Galatians 5, our Text) begins with “love,” where most of the other sequences end with “love!” (Including Paul himself at times!)

Maybe that is because “God is love!” Declared unequivocally in both 1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16. And of course, the Holy Spirit IS God! 

But there is another idea about the order of Paul’s Galatians list. Keep reading, please …

The first 3 (love and joy and peace) relate foremostly to God! The True Lover! The Giver of pure Joy! And the Author of Peace!

The middle 3 (longsuffering and gentleness and goodness) clearly relate to others! Being patient with them. And kind to them. And helping them!

And the last 3 (faith and meekness and temperance) with “faith” actually indicating “faithfulness” … primarily concern ourselves, inward graces to be nurtured! My becoming more faithful! And more lowly! And more self-controlled!

The foregoing … this tripartite list … my favorite view of the “fruit of the Spirit,” by far.

Wow!

Do not misunderstand me.

ALL the lists are proper, and without error … and divinely inspired.

But Paul’s Galatians 5 list is the one we shall have in focus the next few days, for a little over a week. Beginning tomorrow morning, the Lord willing, with “love.” 

I am excited!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell