Chapter 6
PATIENCE
tians,4 it demanded of Aaron gods to be its leaders, while it poured its contributions into an idol of its own gold. For, it had borne without patience the delay necessitated by Moses' meeting with the Lord.5 (24) After the rain of manna as food, after the water that followed and flowed from the rock, they gave up hope in the Lord,6 unable to endure a threedays' thirst. For this, too, they were charged with impatience by the Lord. (25) But, not to range over individual in stances: never would they have been destroyed had they not fallen into sin by impatience. Why did they lay hands on the Prophets, except that they could not bear to listen to them?
And more than that: they laid hands upon the Lord Himself, being unable to endure even the sight of Him. But had they acquired patience, they would now be free.
Chapter 6 (1) Such is the patience which is both subsequent to and antecedent to faith. Accordingly, Abraham believed in God and it was credited to him by God as justice.1 Now, he proved his faith by patience, when he was commanded to offer in sacrifice his son2—I do not say for a trial, but rather for a typical attestation, of his faith. (2) But God knew the man whom He had reputed for his justice. This severe command, which the Lord did not intend should be carried out,
4 Cf. Exod. 32.1-4.
5 Exod. 16.14; cf. Exod. 17.6 and 1 Cor. 10.4.
6 Exod. 15.22-25.
1 Gen. 15.6.
2 Gen. 22.2.
TERTULLIAN
Abraham heard with patience and, had God so willed, he would have fulfilled it. Rightly, then, is he blessed because he was faithful; and rightly was he faithful because he was patient.3 (3) Thus faith was illuminated by patience, since it was sown among the heathens by the seed of Abraham which is Christ and added grace to the Law, and it has made patience its helpmate in amplifying and fulfilling the Law, because in times past this was the only thing lacking to the teaching of justice. (4) Heretofore, men demanded an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth4 and they returned evil for evil. As yet, patience was not found upon the earth, for as yet, you see, there was not faith. Meanwhile, impatience was enjoying the opportunities occasioned by the Law. It was easy when the Lord and Teacher of patience was not on hand. (5) But after He came and united the grace of faith with patience, no longer was one permitted to do injury with so much as a word, or even say 'Thou fool!' without being in danger of the judgment.5 Wrath was forbidden, passions were kept in check, unruly hands were restrained, the poison of the tongue was removed. (6) The Law acquired more than it lost when Christ said: 'Love your enemies and bless those who curse you and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.'6 Just see what a Father patience acquires for us!
3 Gen. 22.17,18; Rom. 4.3.
4 Cf. Exod. 21.24.
5 Matt. 5.22.
6 Matt. 5.44,45.