Bible Verses About Patience
Patience is a valuable trait in life, as it can help us work through difficult situations and accept outcomes we might otherwise struggle to accept. We know the wisdom that comes from God in His word will give us the best guidance on patience.
The Bible offers many verses on patience, which provide support and comfort in trying times. Psalm 37:7–9 provides us with great tips on how to wait patiently and positively while trusting the Lord: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
The many verses below remind us that getting angry or taking matters into our own hands may only create more strife, so instead we must stay calm and rely on God’s wisdom.
Each of these verses offer guidance on how to remain patient even when faced with frustration or uncertainty. With the help of these Bible verses about patience, we can practice being still in mind and heart so that God’s will may be revealed in His perfect time.
Patience Quotes
Patience in the Bible
Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Patience is an essential and valued virtue, particularly when it comes to our spiritual lives. Romans 12:12 offers a relevant reminder that patience is key to developing into a mature Christian: “Therefore, rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Patience teaches us to remain steadfast even when faced with adversity. It also teaches us to not give up on our faith when things become difficult. In the face of temptation and hardship, patience helps us make decisions rooted in love and truth.
Finally, patience reminds us that we do not need to control every aspect of our lives. Instead, patience encourages us to have faith and trust in the Lord.
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
This verse, referred to as the “Fruit of the Spirit,” outlines nine attributes that characterize a life led with Godly love and morality. Among these character traits are patience, kindness, peace, and self-control.
Patience is one of the top qualities Christians should choose to acquire.
When we strive to live our lives according to these traits, we grow closer in our relationship with Christ and understand more deeply how God wants us to live.
Living out this Fruit of the Spirit between ourselves and others is not only what our faith asks of us, but it also has profound ripples through society as a whole from family dynamics to communities and beyond. Galatians 5:22 gives us a powerful reminder of how we ought to live each day – filled with love and patience for one another in accordance with His commandments.
Colossians 1:9-12
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
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, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
We read in Colossians another example of God’s will for His people: to have “great endurance and patience” among other important attributes.
Patience is encouraged among believers throughout the Bible. Having this skill increases our holiness and draws us closer to our loving Father.
A faithful patience in obedience to God’s will brings peace despite life’s uncertainties and joy in the midst of suffering. Therefore, we should take to heart Paul’s words from Colossians 1 and seek His presence daily for patience and courage throughout our journey!
Psalm 37:7
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
Psalm 37:7 reminds us to be patient and trust the Lord for the future. It is a call to action for patience, as we submit our plans to God and lean on Him for direction.
We can calmly wait on the Lord’s will without fear and with faith knowing that He will ultimately fulfill all of His promises made in His Word. Becoming still, trusting in Him and leaning solely on Him ultimately leads to peace no matter what the situation or circumstance may be.
Patience is a virtue; one which gives us understanding and hope that the best things are yet to come.
Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
A hot-tempered person starts fights;
a cool-tempered person stops them.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
This wisdom from Proverbs encourages Christians to to be patient rather than hot-tempered. In order to avoid conflict with others, patience calms people down.
Being patient allows us to think before reacting, preventing arguments from occurring or escalating. Not only this, patience can create thoughtful conversations instead of heated debates, helping us to understand our differences for a smoother path forward and better connections with those around us.
Romans 8:23-25
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Paul, the author of these verses to the new church in Rome, is speaking on having patience as we wait for our eternity with God.
This passage reminds us that the power of Jesus Christ is beyond what we can see with our eyes – that despite the physical challenges or difficulties we may experience, our hope lies in being able to sense God’s “earnest expectation” and love.
As believers, Romans 8 should encourage us to trust Him and look confidently and patiently toward the future.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
This verse in 1 Corinthians is most famously quoted at weddings. One part of loving well, as described here, is being patient.
God is our example of perfect love. If we want to love others well, we must have patience be an important focus of our actions.
Holding fast to these Biblical principles is key, as even though these attitudes might not come naturally, abiding by them allows us to grow stronger in our ability for compassion and understanding towards others.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
In this short instruction we are being called to look to our neighbor and be an example of patient love and charity during challenge.
Even throughout struggle we can find a way to offer solace and care. This can look like finding moments of rest together, volunteering with someone in need, or helping out a community member with their daily duties.
In doing so we are following the instructions set forth in 1 Thessalonians and making good on our commitment to help others through struggle.
2 Corinthians 6:4-6
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness;
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.
but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;
Another example of Bible verses about patience, this verse in 2 Corinthians describes how Christians should choose to act.
Through any trial or tribulation life brings, we can still overcome and find Joy when we have “purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit,” and genuine love.
It takes time and practice to be able to get to this point in life, but with God’s help we can be an example to the world of God’s great love for them.
Ephesians 4:1-3
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is filled with wisdom and guidance, particularly regarding how true believers should live their lives in order to please God.
His words in Ephesians 4:1-3 are particularly poignant and reveal his desires for the believers at that time: “I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”
Paul encourages them to treat each other with respect and kindness, even when it could be difficult. He also reminds them that God calls them to behave differently from non-believers by showing gentleness and patience.
This is an incredibly powerful reminder today that we ought never grow weary of living out our faith; rather, we are called to maintain humility and peace amidst life’s difficulties.
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.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Essential qualities such as patience, forgiveness, mercy, and gentleness will help us build relationships with our community as well as promote harmony within society.
Through Jesus’ teachings, we can put into practice the attitudes that show respect for ourselves and others. This verse focuses on forgiveness, because we know that is a necessary part in living life in community with others.
James 5:7-8
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
In James 5:7-8, we are encouraged to be patient for the coming of the Lord.
In taking a look at our life, it can be difficult to understand why certain things happen. But we can trust that in His time, Jesus will bring about redemption and restoration for all of humanity.
We must remember that Jesus is with us no matter what, and have faith that we should remain steadfast even when things seem darkest. In the end, His love prevails, bringing hope and joy to those who wait on Him patiently.
