Oct
6
Written by:
Bob Flynn
10/6/2009 7:36 AM
The second answer is this, that God, moreover and besides that he justly decrees whatever he decrees, uses that moderation in executing his decrees, as is declared his singular mercifulness even in the reprobate, in that he endures them a long time, and permits them to enjoy many and singular benefits, until at length he justly condemns them: and that to good end and purpose, that is, to show himself to be an enemy and avenger of wickedness, that it may appear what power he has by these severe judgments, and finally by comparison of contraries to set forth indeed, how great his mercy is towards the elect. (Geneva Bible Translation Notes)
What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? (Romans 9:22 NASB)
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: (Romans 9:22 KJV)
But what if God, willing to demonstrate his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath prepared for destruction? (Romans 9:22 NET.)
In the same way, even though God has the right to show His anger and His power, He is very patient with those on whom His anger falls, who are destined for destruction. (Romans 9:22 NLT)
Longsuffering (makrothumia - patience with people) not to be confuse with (hupomone - patience or endurance with things or circumstances). The Complete Word Study Dictionary adds in addition: The quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so:
Rom 2:4 Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? (NLT)
Gal 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (NLT)
Eph 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. (NLT)
Col 1:11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, (NLT)
Col 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (NLT)
1Ti 1:16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. (NLT)
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. (NLT)
Heb 6:12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance. (NLT)
Jas 5:10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. (NLT)
2Pe 3:15 And remember, the Lord's patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—(NLT)
I suspect that we have a rather miniscule and myopic understanding of what longsuffering does consist. Our patience by comparison to that of the Almighty is measured in minutes while His has endured epochs. If we consider the context of predestination and election this patience began in eternity past as represented by His foreknowledge. A bit much for my puny mind to grasp. However, we see here God's sovereignty and His patience displayed as He likewise shows that scrupulous fairness toward a humankind that is justifiably blameworthy for our actions (Carson, D. A. (1994). New Bible commentary - paraphrase mine). In my case God withheld His wrath and instead kept me safe against that day when I would believe upon His only begotten Son. The very hands that should have cast me into the pit of eternal torment because of my sin patiently succored me in the day of salvation! Indeed His patience gives people time to be saved!
Arthur W. Pink, in the context of God's justice says of God showing His wrath that, "It was not that any necessity of His nature demanded He should do so, but because it was the pleasure of His own imperial will so to do….His fidelity requires Him to make good His Promises and His veracity to fulfill His threatenings, but He was under no constraint whatever to make any promises or threatenings. His justice requires Him to impartially administer the law He has given, but He was under no absolute necessity of framing any law at all. Sin is a disease: could He not have sovereignly healed it had He so pleased? Sins are “debts”: was He unable to cancel them had He so desired? Perish such a thought! It is argued that God is “a consuming fire” and that fire cannot but burn when it comes into contact with that which is combustible. Have such foolish objectors forgotten that fire burns only as God orders it so to do? It consumed not the bush, nor the three Hebrews in Babylon’s furnace! God “worketh all things after the counsel of His own WILL” (Ephesians. 1:11)….Were God to immediately break these reprobate vessels into pieces, His power of self-control would not so eminently appear; by bearing with their wickedness and forebearing punishment so long, the power of His patience is gloriously demonstrated.
Copyright ©2009 Robert Flynn