Forbearance (463) anoche by Greek Word Studies

Forbearance (tolerance) (463) (anoche from anecho = be patient with in regard to errors or weaknesses = "put up with") describes self-restraint, a holding back, a pause, a temporary cessation, a state of respite from something onerous or disagreeable. Forbearance refers to a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due. Anoche describes a refraining from the enforcement of something. It is as if God had granted us temporary clemency, where clemency is defined as a mild, merciful disposition in the one who otherwise has the power and/or duty to punish. Anoche implies something temporary which may pass away (cp Ge 6:3) under new conditions. Hence it is used in connection with God's passing over of sins in the time preceding Christ's sacrificial death, Paul explaining in the only other NT use of anoche that... because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed. (see notes Romans 3:25) Anoche was used in secular Greek writings to describe a truce between warring parties. A truce represented a suspension of fighting, especially a suspension of considerable duration and by agreement of opposing forces. Anoche described an armistice which is a temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement between the opponents. The distinction is that the use in Scripture involves a "one sided armistice" in which God suspends justly deserved punishment even in the face of men continuing to be His enemy (Ro 5:10-note) and continuing to exhibit hostility (Col 1:21-note) toward Him. What an awesome God You are to sinners such as we! Armistice Day marked the termination of WWI on Nov 11, 1918. God's "Armistice Day" occurred on Calvary 2000 years ago. Hallelujah! Leon Morris adds an important note writing that anoche means that... God does not punish the sinner immediately after he sins. He holds back his final judgment and thus gives the sinner an interval in which he can repent and turn to God. But the important thing to notice about this word is that it points to a truce, not a peace. It is temporary. It implies a limit. If the sinner does nothing but sin, if he rejects the invitation to repent (cf. Eccl 8:11), then in due course he must face God with all his sin about him. God’s forbearance is wonderful, eloquent of his deep concern for people. But it is not forgiveness. (Ibid) Trench says that anoche describes that forbearance or suspension of wrath, that truce with the sinner, which by no means implies that the wrath will not be executed at the last; nay, involves that it certainly will, unless he be found under new conditions of repentance and obedience (Vincent) Rather than destroying every person the moment he or she sins, God graciously holds back His judgment (cf. Ro 3:25-note). He saves sinners in a physical and temporal way from what they deserve, to show them His saving character, that they might come to Him and receive salvation. Ray Stedman writes that... God patiently waits to help us see through these delusions. He is patient with us; he is forbearing. He doesn't beat us over the head, and demand that we face the truth. He patiently waits and gently leads, and put us in circumstances where we see these things if we are willing to face the facts. Because he waits so patiently, we fondly imagine that we can go on living in our castle in the clouds forever. But all bubbles burst eventually, and, sooner or later, we discover that all along we were not fooling God one bit -- he sees us for exactly what we are. (Romans 2:1-16: The Secrets of Men) But clearly God's forbearance has a limit. And so Paul is saying to the religious person that You think that you are safe because God’s judgment has not yet descended upon you. But what God is giving you is not carte blanche to sin; he is giving you the opportunity to repent and to amend your ways. In Ecclesiastes Solomon makes a parallel statement explaining the consequences of failing to appreciate the true nature and purpose of God's present patience writing that Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. (Ecclesiastes 8:11) God's postponing of His wrath only makes people think they can get away with more evil. Paul's point here in Romans 2 is clear that no man can sin forever with impunity. William Barclay writes that... Anoche is the word for a truce. True, it means a cessation of hostility, but it is a cessation that has a limit. Paul, in effect, is saying to the Jews, “You think that you are safe because God’s judgment has not yet descended upon you. But what God is giving you is not carte blanche to sin; he is giving you the opportunity to repent and to amend your ways.” A man cannot sin forever with impunity. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press) Spurgeon describes God's forbearance writing that it... "comes in when men having offended, God withholds the punishment that is due to them; when men, having been invited to mercy, have refused it, and yet God continues to stretch out his hands, and invite them to come to him. Patient endurance of offenses and insults has been manifested by God to many of you, who now hear these words of warning. The Lord knows to whom I speak and may he make you, also, know that I am speaking to you, even to you. Some men have gone back to the very sin of which for awhile they repented; they have suffered for their folly, but have turned again to it with suicidal determination. They are desperately set on their own ruin and nothing can save them. The burnt child has run to the fire again; the singed moth has plunged again into the flame of the candle; who can pity such self-inflicted miseries? They are given over to perdition, for they will not be warned. They have returned to the haunt of vice, though they seemed to have been snatched from the deep ditch of its filthiness. They have wantonly and willfully returned to their cups, though the poison of former draughts is yet burning in their veins. Yet, despite this folly, God shows forbearance towards them. They have grievously provoked him when they have done despite to his word, and have even turned to laughter the solemnities of his worship, against their own consciences, and to their own confusion: yet when his hand has been lifted up he has withdrawn it in mercy. See how God has always tempered his providence with kindness to them. He laid them low so that they were sore sick, but at the voice of their moaning he restored them. They trembled on the brink of death, yet he permitted them to recover strength; and now, despite their vows of amendment, here they are, callous and careless, unmindful of the mercy which gave them a reprieve. Did you ever think what is included in the riches of forbearance. There are quick tempered individuals who only need to be a little provoked, and hard words and blows come quick and furious: but, oh, the forbearance of God when he is provoked to his face by ungodly men!" O unexhausted Grace O Love unspeakable! I am not gone to my own place; I am not yet in hell! Earth doth not open yet, My soul to swallow up: And, hanging o'er the burning pit, I still am forced to hope. --Spurgeon Torrey's Topic The Longsuffering of God Is part of his character -Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalms 86:15 Salvation, the object of -2 Peter 3:15 Through Christ’s intercession -Luke 13:8 Should lead to repentance -Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9 An encouragement to repent -Joel 2:13 Exhibited in forgiving sins -Romans 3:25 EXERCISED TOWARD His people -Isaiah 30:18; Ezekiel 20:17 The wicked -Romans 9:22; 1 Peter 3:20 Plead in prayer -Jeremiah 15:15 Limits set to -Genesis 6:3; Jeremiah 44:22 THE WICKED Abuse -Ecclesiastes 8:11; Matthew 24:48,49 Despise -Romans 2:4 Punished for despising -Nehemiah 9:30; Mt 24:48, 49, 50, 51; Ro 2:5 Illustrated Luke 13:6,9 Exemplified Manasseh -2Chr 33:10, 11, 12, 13 Israel -Psalms 78:38; Isaiah 48:9 Jerusalem -Matthew 23:37 Paul -1 Timothy 1:16 AND PATIENCE: kai tes makrothumias: (Ex 34:6 2Pe 3:9, 15)

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Forbearance (463) anoche

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