A Pattern Of Forbearance
A PATTERN OF FORBEARANCE
In Philippians 4:11-13 we see the relation ship between contentment and forbearance. In verse 11 Paul testifies, "I have learned, in what ever circumstances I am, to be content." In verse 12 he goes on to say, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in every thing and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to hunger, both to abound and to be in want." Because Paul had learned the secret of contentment, he was able to forbear with all the churches and all the saints. He says, "I can do all things in Him who empowers me" (v. 13). According to the context, this includes the ability to make His forbearance known to the saints.
Consider Paul's situation when he wrote the book of Philippians. His circumstances were not at all positive. He was a prisoner in Rome; he was opposed by the religionists; and even the saints, including the Philippians who had been faithful to supply his needs in the past, neglected him for a period of time. In Philippians 4:10 Paul says, "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you caused your thinking for me to blos som anew; wherein you did indeed take thought,