Forbearance 

“Bear with each other and forgive one another.”

Colossians 3:12–17 (NIV) 

Forbearance is patient endurance with people. It is the Spirit-grown ability to remain loving when relationships feel strained. This fruit develops in the soil of disappointment, misunderstanding, personality differences, and even deep wounds. 

Paul assumes in Colossians 3 that relationships will be difficult at times. That is why he calls us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Then he adds, “Bear with each other.” That phrase acknowledges that people will fail us, frustrate us, and test our grace. 

Forbearance grows when we remember how remarkably patient God has been with us. The Lord has endured our weakness, our immaturity, and our repeated failure with extraordinary mercy. The Spirit now teaches us to extend that same grace toward others. 

This fruit does not mean we excuse sin or ignore truth. It means we choose love over retaliation. It means we stay engaged instead of withdrawing at the first sign of discomfort. It means we create space for God to work in people over time. 

Every family, every ministry, and every community depends on this fruit far more than we realize. 

Forbearance stays when walking away would feel easier.