Take from it patience
Cyprian, On the Advantage of Patience, section 15
St. Cyprian asks what happens to love when patience is taken away. In On the Advantage of Patience, he argues that love cannot continue firmly without the ability to bear and endure. The claim concerns the faithfulness that remains when affection encounters difficulty. Patience has a practical place within love’s continuance. Cyprian, On the Advantage of Patience, section 15
Cyprian explains his point through Paul’s description of love and the command to bear with one another. Love includes kindness and restraint from envy and provocation. The endurance he commends must stay joined to those virtues. We should not turn the word into permission for another person to continue harming someone. Cyprian, On the Advantage of Patience, section 15
Paul says love is patient and kind, seeks the good rather than its own advantage, and rejoices in truth. The passage searches both the manner and the purpose of our response. Continuing in love cannot require rejoicing in falsehood or calling a wrong good. Truth remains part of the love being described. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Ephesians places patient forbearance within humility, gentleness and the unity of the Spirit. This gives ordinary relationships a concrete set of responsibilities. We can attend to our own impatience, choose a truthful kind word and seek the appropriate good of another person. Necessary protection and accountability can remain. Ephesians 4:1–3
For a relationship under strain, the source invites examination of the conduct we can actually change. Has irritation displaced kindness? Have we ceased to care about truth? Bring those questions before the Lord and consider the next appropriate act. Cyprian places patience within love, while Paul keeps that love joined to kindness and truth. Cyprian, On the Advantage of Patience, section 15
For prayer, use the Lord’s Prayer given by Christ in Matthew 6:9–13.
Sources and edition notes
- Cyprian, On the Advantage of Patience. Source. Translated by Robert Ernest Wallis. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 5. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/050709.htm.
Scripture references link to these comparison editions: NKJV. Biblical passages are paraphrased. Biblical language within a patristic quotation follows the identified historical English translation.