The patient reaction to the faults and failures of others is probably best described by the word forbearance as it is used in Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:13 (KJV). Literally, the word can mean “to put up with” and can be used in a negative sense of grudging endurance of another’s faults. That is obviously not the sense in which Paul uses the word. Rather, he uses forbearance in the sense of gracious tolerance of another’s faults.
