Patience is the capacity to tolerate challenges or delays without getting upset, angry or frustrated. While most of us would love to be more patient, it’s not always easy. This is especially true when we’ve been praying for something for a long time or when a friend does something that makes us angry.
Luckily, God didn’t leave us without guidance when learning how to be patient. He gave us his Word. Let’s dive into some Bible verses about patience and what it means to be patient.
All Scripture is written in NIV.
Key Bible Verses About Patience
The Bible includes many verses about patience, which is a fruit of the Spirit. For example, the Word says that patience comes from wisdom and that we should be patient and gentle with one another.
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.
— 2 Timothy 4:2
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
— Romans 12:12
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
— Galatians 6:9
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
— Romans 8:25
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
— Ephesians 4:2
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.
— Colossians 3:12-13
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
— 1 Corinthians 13:4
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:14
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
— Ecclesiastes 7:8
joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
— Galatians 5:22-23
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
— 1 Thessalonians 1:3
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
— Proverbs 19:11
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
— Proverbs 25:15
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
— Proverbs 14:29
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
— Proverbs 16:32
Bible Verses for Waiting on the Lord
Maybe you’re waiting on God to give you direction. Or maybe you’ve been praying earnestly for something. These Bible verses about patience remind us that God’s timing is perfect and that we’ll be rewarded when we wait on him.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
— Ecclesiastes 3:11
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
— Psalm 27:14
For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.
— Galatians 5:5
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.
— James 5:7-8
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
— 2 Peter 3:8
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
— Lamentations 3:25-26
This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
— Jeremiah 29:10-11
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.
— Psalm 37:7
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
— Psalm 40:1
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
— Habakkuk 2:3
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
— Lamentations 3:24
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 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.
— Romans 8:22-25
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
— Isaiah 40:31
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
— Philippians 4:4-6
Bible Verses About God’s Patience
Scripture teaches us that God is patient with us, his children. Through his example, we can learn how to be patient too.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
— Psalm 103:8
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
— 2 Peter 3:9
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
— 1 Timothy 1:16
