Patience, Kindness, and Goodness

4. Patience – μακροθυμία (makrothumía)

• Definition: Staying peaceful and kind when things take longer than you want.
• Contrast: Restlessness – frustration when things don’t go according to your timetable.
• Example: Mark 9:30–37 – Jesus patiently teaches the disciples after they argue about who is the greatest.
• Verses: Colossians 3:12; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14
• Evidence: You stay composed when plans fall apart or people test your limits.

5. Kindness – χρηστότης (chrēstótēs)

• Definition: A sincere care for others that shows up in your actions.
• Contrast: Cruelty – neglecting, demeaning, or actively harming others.
• Example: Mark 1:40–45 – Jesus compassionately engages a man with leprosy.
• Verses: Ephesians 4:32; Romans 12:10; Galatians 6:10
• Evidence: You choose small acts that make a big difference.

6. Goodness – ἀγαθωσύνη (agathōsúnē)

• Definition: The courage to do what’s right based on what God says is right.
• Contrast: Corruption – twisting what’s good for personal advantage.
• Example: Mark 10:17–22 – Jesus told the rich young ruler the hard truth because it was what he needed to hear.
• Verses: Romans 12:9; Galatians 6:10; Matthew 5:16Evidence: You do what’s right even when it’s unpopular or inconvenient.