DEFINING FORBEARANCE

1 Thessalonians 3

Introduction:

1. Webster defines forbear as, “a verb. To abstain from; to avoid; to bear with; to refrain from; to control one’s feelings; to suffer and endure.” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance agrees with these additions: “To treat leniently. (2 Corinthians 12:6); to roof over; to cover with silence” (1 Thessalonians 3: 1, 5).

2. When we read the word “forbearance” as in Romans 2:4 and Romans 3:25, Strong suggests its meaning as, “self-restricted; tolerance.”

3. The idea is critical the conduct of every Christian. Note again these particulars:

a. TO CONTROL ONE’S FEELINGS

b. SELF-RESTRICTED

c. TO COVER WITH SILENCE

4. Obviously, “patient endurance” exists in this conduct. As Christians, we cannot be “overly eager” for anything; neither can we be so longsuffering as to negate the need for action and knowledge. In all, FORBEARANCE becomes a “balance scale” if you will of knowing and understanding when to speak and when to keep silent; when to act and when not to act (Ecclesiastes 3: 1- 8)

I. PAUL’S EXAMPLE WITH THESSALONICA

A. 1 Thessalonians 3: 1- 9

B. He had an urgent need to know their steadfastness

1. Having taught them, and knowing the oppressions in that area, he was concerned!

2. Yet, he CONTROLLED his emotions … keeping them in his prayers and accepting God would care for them better than he.

3. He RESTRICTED himself from going and sent Timothy.

4. His endurance had been roofed (kept covered in silence) until he could hold his silence no more!

C. James 1:19

II. PAUL’S EXAMPLE TO CORINTH

A. 2 Corinthians 12: 1 – 11

B. His declaration of “a man in Christ above fourteen years ago” is evidently Paul himself. (vs. 7) The reason here for this declaration is Corinth’ continual doubting of his apostleship.

1. He had held his peace in this matter long enough … the time was right to tell them all!

2. He had not hidden the EFECTS of his apostleship, but had hidden himself from touting himself above their needs.

3. He had covered in silence the reality of being in paradise and gloried ONLY in the man (Christ Jesus) who redeemed him!

C. Galatians 6:11 – 18

III. PAUL’S TEACHING TO THE ROMANS

A. Romans 2: 1 – 11

1. The Jews believed themselves superior to all others because of their heritage. But their heritage was in fact no better than the Gentiles! They too, were guilty of sin!

2. It is GOD’S FORBEARANCE they despised. God could hold His love for ALL mankind no longer; He could not longer restrict His gift for ALL mankind; He could not keep His eternal plan covered and silent any longer!

3. 1 Peter 1: 10 – 16

B. Romans 3:19 - 31