Attribute of God: Patience (Slow to Anger, Enduring)
God's patience is a divine attribute frequently described in scripture as being "slow to anger" [1, 3, 4]. This characteristic highlights God's enduring nature and His reluctance to immediately punish disobedience [12, 13]. The Hebrew phrase often translated as "slow to anger" (אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם, erekh appayim) literally means "long of nostrils," an idiom reflecting a delay in the outward manifestation of wrath [8].
The Old Testament repeatedly emphasizes this aspect of God's character. For instance, Numbers 14:18 states, "Jehovah is slow to anger, and of great kindness; bearing away iniquity and transgression" [3]. Similarly, Psalm 103:8 declares, "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion" [1]. Psalm 86:15 echoes this, describing God as "merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth" [4]. This divine patience is linked to God's faithful love and serves as a reason for His delayed judgment on sinners [12, 13].
Jewish rabbinic tradition, as seen in Rashi's commentary on Ecclesiastes 7:8, defines patience as being "slow to anger and is not easily provoked" [9]. Abraham Ibn Ezra, in his commentary on Numbers 14:17, connects God's "great power" with His slowness to anger, suggesting that those who are long-suffering possess the strength to control their wrath [10].
In the New Testament, patience is presented not only as an attribute of God but also as a virtue to be cultivated by believers. The apostle Paul refers to God as "the God of patience and consolation" [11]. Christians are exhorted to exhibit patience, which is seen as a fruit of trials and a necessary component of spiritual growth [2]. Romans 5:3-4 explains that "tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope" [2]. This "patience" (Greek: hypomonē) is understood as a "quiet endurance of what we cannot but wish removed," whether it be the delay of promised good or the ongoing experience of suffering [15]. It involves bearing difficulties with an even mind, enduring through challenges, and persevering [14].
God's patience, while delaying deserved punishment, does not negate ultimate judgment for those who persist in sin [12, 13]. However, it provides an opportunity for repentance and confession of sin, through which God's anger can be averted [7]. The steadfastness and perseverance of God are also reflected in His purposes and ways, and believers are called to manifest similar qualities in their faith and actions [5, 6]. This includes cleaving to God, working for the Lord, continuing in doctrine, and holding fast to hope [5, 6].
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 103:8 (BSB) — The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Patience — God, is the God of -- Ro 15:5. Christ, an example of -- Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 27:14. Enjoined -- Tit 2:2; 2Pe 1:6. Should have its perfect work -- Jas 1:4. Trials of saints lead to -- Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3. Produces Experience. -- Ro 5:4. Hope. -- Ro 15:4. Suffering with, for well-doing, is acceptable with God -- 1Pe 2:20. To be exercised Running the race set before us. -- Heb 12:1. Bringing forth fruits. -- Lu 8:15. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; Ga 6:9. Waiting for God. -- Ps 37:7; 40:1. Waiting for Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 2Th 3:5. Waiting for the hope of the gospel. -- R”
- Numbers “Numbers 14:18 (YLT) — Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> slow to anger, and of great kindness; bearing away iniquity and transgression, and not entirely acquitting, charging iniquity of fathers on sons, on a third <FI>generation<Fi> , and on a fourth; --”
- Psalms “Psalms 86:15 (YLT) — And Thou, O Lord, <FI>art<Fi> God, merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Steadfastness — Exhibited by God in all his purposes and ways -- Nu 23:19; Da 6:26; Jas 1:17. Commanded -- Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15; Jas 1:6-8. Godliness necessary to -- Job 11:13-15. Secured by The power of God. -- Ps 55:22; 62:2; 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. The presence of God. -- Ps 16:8. Trust in God. -- Ps 26:1. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32. A characteristic of saints -- Job 17:9; Joh 8:31. Should be manifested In cleaving to God. -- De 10:20; Ac 11:23. In the work of the Lord. -- 1Co 15:58. In continuing in the Apostles' doctrine. -- Ac 2:42. In holding fast our”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perseverance — An evidence of reconciliation with God -- Col 1:21-23. An evidence of belonging to Christ -- Joh 8:31; Heb 3:6,14. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 4:18. To be manifested in Seeking God. -- 1Ch 16:11. Waiting upon god. -- Ho 12:6. Prayer. -- Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; 2Th 3:13. Continuing in the faith. -- Ac 14:22; Col 1:23; 2Ti 4:7. Holding fast hope. -- Heb 3:6. Maintained through The power of God. -- Ps 37:24; Php 1:6. The power of Christ. -- Joh 10:28. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32; Joh 17:11. The fear of God. -- Jer 32”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger of God, The — Averted by Christ -- Lu 2:11,14; Ro 5:9; 2Co 5:18,19; Eph 2:14,17; Col 1:20; 1Th 1:10. Is averted from them that believe -- Joh 3:14-18; Ro 3:25; 5:1. Is averted upon confession of sin and repentance -- Job 33:27,28; Ps 106:43-45; Jer 3:12,13; 18:7,8; 31:18-20; Joe 2:12-14; Lu 15:18-20. Is slow -- Ps 103:8; Isa 48:9; Jon 4:2; Na 1:3. Is righteous -- Ps 58:10,11; La 1:18; Ro 2:6,8; 3:5,6; Re 16:6,7. The justice of, not to be questioned -- Ro 9:18,20,22. Manifested in terrors -- Ex 14:24; Ps 76:6-8; Jer 10:10; La 2:20-22. Manifested in judgments and”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 25:15: Gentleness and kindness overcome the most powerful and obstinate. long forbearing--or, "slowness to anger" (Pro 14:29; Pro 15:18).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Ecclesiastes 7:8: Patience. One who is slow to anger and is not easily provoked. 28 See Mishnayos Avos 5:11.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 14:17: LET THE POWER OF THE LORD BE GREAT. Let the power…be great connotes being slow to anger, for all who are long-suffering have the great power to break their anger. As Thou hast spoken , that you are slow to anger 25 I.E.’s paraphrase of As Thou hast spoken, saying (v. 17): The Lord is slow to anger (v. 18). is proof of this. I have explained these attributes 26 The attributes mentioned in verse 18. in the Torah portion Ki Tissa .”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 15:4: Now the God of patience and consolation,.... These titles and characters of God are manifestly used on account of what is before said concerning the Scriptures, and to show, that the efficacy and usefulness of them, in producing and promoting patience and comfort, entirely depend upon God the author of them: from exhorting, the apostle proceeds to petitioning; well knowing that all his exhortations would be of no avail without the power of divine grace accompanying them. The words are a prayer. The object addressed is described as "the God of patience", because he is ”
- Nah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Nah 1:3: 1:3 slow to get angry: God’s patience with disobedience is linked to his faithful love (Exod 34:6; Num 14:18; Ps 103:8; Joel 2:13). This trait had disappointed Jonah, who wanted Nineveh destroyed immediately (Jon 4:2). Because God is patient, he sometimes delays the deserved punishment of sinners (Neh 9:29-30; Rom 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9), but those guilty of persisting in sin will ultimately face God’s judgment (Exod 34:7; Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 14:6-7). • the whirlwind and the storm: This imagery describes the fury of God’s judgment against the wicked (see also Isa 29:6)”
- Nahum (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Nahum 1:3: 1:3 slow to get angry: God’s patience with disobedience is linked to his faithful love (Exod 34:6; Num 14:18; Ps 103:8; Joel 2:13). This trait had disappointed Jonah, who wanted Nineveh destroyed immediately (Jon 4:2). Because God is patient, he sometimes delays the deserved punishment of sinners (Neh 9:29-30; Rom 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9), but those guilty of persisting in sin will ultimately face God’s judgment (Exod 34:7; Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 14:6-7). • the whirlwind and the storm: This imagery describes the fury of God’s judgment against the wicked (see also Isa 29:”
- 2 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Peter 1:6: Temperance - A proper and limited use of all earthly enjoyments, keeping every sense under proper restraints, and never permitting the animal part to subjugate the rational. Patience - Bearing all trials and difficulties with an even mind, enduring in all, and persevering through all. Godliness - Piety towards God; a deep, reverential, religious fear; not only worshipping God with every becoming outward act, but adoring, loving, and magnifying him in the heart: a disposition indispensably necessary to salvation, but exceedingly rare among professors.”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 5:3: we glory in tribulation also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience--Patience is the quiet endurance of what we cannot but wish removed, whether it be the withholding of promised good (Rom 8:25), or the continued experience of positive ill (as here). There is indeed a patience of unrenewed nature, which has something noble in it, though in many cases the offspring of pride, if not of something lower. Men have been known to endure every form of privation, torture, and death, without a murmur and without even visible emotion, merely because they deeme”