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G463 ἀνοχή (anochḗ)

Greek 📖 Greek Word Study
Noun, Feminine
‹ G462 Greek Dictionary G464 ›

Quick Definition

ἀνοχή, ῆς, ἡ n.f. forbearance

Strong's Definition

self-restraint, i.e. tolerance

Derivation: from G430 (ἀνέχομαι);

KJV Usage: forbearance

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

noun, f. | -ῆς | ἔχω

25.171 · Attitudes and Emotions · Patience, Endurance, Perseverance

to be patient with, to have patience, patience to be patient with, in the sense of enduring possible difficulty

ROM 2:4 · ROM 3:26

UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

ἀνοχή, -ῆς, 7, (compare ἀνέχομαί τινος, 5. V. ἀνέχω p. 45), toleration, forbearance ; in this sense only in Ro. ii. 4; iii. 26 (25). (In Grk. writ.a holding back, delaying, fr. ἀνέχω to hold back, hinder.) [Cf. Trench § liii.]

Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary

ἀνοχή anochē 2x

forbearance, patience, Rom. 2:4; 3:26*

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

** ἀνοχή, -ῆς, ἡ

(< ἀνέχω, -ομαι), [in LXX: I Mac 12:25 (RV, respite)*;]

in cl., a holding back, delaying (MM, VGT, s.v.).

forbearance, delay of punishment: Ro 2:4 3:26.†

SYN.: μακροθυμία, ὑπομονή. ἀ., forbearance, is the result and expression of μ., which involves the idea of tolerance, long-suffering, as God with sinners. ὑ. expresses patience with respect to things, as μ. with persons; it is active as well as passive, denotes not merely endurance but perseverance (v. Tr., Syn., § liii; Lft., Notes, 259, 273; DB, ii, 47).

Trench — Synonyms of the New Testament

BETWEEN μακροθυμία and ὑπομονή, which occur together at Col. i. 11, and in the same context 2 Cor. vi. 4,6 ; 2 Tim. iii. 10; Jam. v. 10, 11 (cf. Clement of Rome, 64 ; Ignatius, Hphes. 8), Chrysostom draws the following distinction ; that a man paxpoθυμεῖ, who having power to revenge himself, yet refrains from the exercise of this power ; while he ὑπομένει, who having no choice but to bear, and only the alternative of a patient or impatient bearing, has grace to choose theformer. Thus the faithful, he concludes, would commonly be called to exercise the former grace among themselves (1 Cor. vi. 7), the latter in their commerce with those that were without: μακροθυμίαν πρὸς ἀλλήλους, ὑπομονὴν πρὸς τοὺς ἔξω" μακροθυμεῖ γάρ τις πρὸς ἐκείνους οὺς δυνατὸν καὶ ἀμύνασθαι, ὑπομένει δὲ ods οὐ δύναται ἀμύνασθαι. This distinction, however, will not endure a closer examination ; for see decisively against it Heb. xii. 2, 8. He to whom ὑπομονή is there ascribed, bore, not certainly because He could not avoid bearing; for He might have summoned to his aid twelve legions of angels, if so He had willed (Matt. xxvi. 53). It may be well then to consider whether some more satisfactory distinction between these words cannot be drawn. MaxpoOvpia belongs to a later stage of the Greek language. It occurs in the Septuagint, though neither there nor elsewhere exactly in the sense which in the N. T. it bears ; thus at Isai. lvii. 15 it is rather a patient holding out under trial than long-suffering under provocation, more, that is, the ὑπομονή with which we have presently to do; and compare Jer. xv. 15, 1 Mace. viii. 4; in neither of which places is its use that of the N. T.; and as little is it that of 184 SYNONYMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT § Ul Plutarch (Lucull. 82); the long-suffering: of men he prefers to express by ἀνεξικακία (De Cap. ea Inim. Util. 9; οἵ. Epictetus, Znchir. 10), while for the grand long-suffering of God he has a noble word, one probably of his own coining, μεγαλοπάθεια (De Ser. Num. Vind. 5). The Church-Latin rendered it by ‘longanimitas,’ which ‘the Rheims Version sought to introduce into English in the shape of ‘ longanimity.’ There is no reason why ‘longanimity’ should not have had the same success as ‘magnanimity’; but there is a fortune about words, as well as about books, and this failed, notwithstanding that Jeremy Taylor and Bishop Hall allowed and employedit. We have preferred ‘long-suifering,’ and understand by it a long holding out of the mind before it gives room to action or passion—generally to passion ; ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων ἐν ἀγάπῃ, as St. Paul (Ephes. iv. 2) beautifully expounds the meaning which he attaches to the word. Anger usually, but not universally, is the passion thus long held aloof; the μακρόθυμος being one βραδὺς εἰς ὀργήν, and the word exchanged for κρατῶν ὀργῆς (Prov. xvi. 82); and set over against θυμώδης (xv. 18). Still it is not necessarily anger which is thus excluded or set at a distance; for when the historian of the Maccabees describes how the Romans had won the world ‘by their policy and their patience’ (1 Mace. viii. 4), μακροθυμία expresses there that Roman persistency which would never make peace under defeat. The true antithesis to μακροθυμία in that sense is ὀξυθυμία, ἃ word belonging to the best times of the language, and employed by Euripides (Androm. 789), as ὀξύθυμος by Aristotle (Lihet. li. 12; cf. ὀξύχολος, Solon). But ὑπομονή, βασιλὶς τῶν ἀρετῶν Chrysostom calls it,—is that virtue which in heathen ethics would be called more often by the name of xaprepia! (the words are joined together, Plutarch, Apoph. Lac. Ages. 2), or καρτέρησις, and which Clement of Alexandria, following in the track of some heathen 1 If, however, we may accept the Definitions ascribed to Plato, there is a slight distinction: καρτερία ὑπομονὴ λύπης, ἕνεκα τοῦ καλοῦ * ὑπομονὴ πόνων, ἕνεκα τοῦ καλοῦ. τι SYNONYMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT 185 moralists, describes as the knowledge of what things are to be borne and what are not (ἐπιστήμη ἐμμενετέων καὶ οὐκ ἐμμενετέων, Strom. 11. 18; ef. Plutarch, De Plac. Phil. iv. 23), being the Latin ‘ perseverantia’ and ‘ patientia’! both in one, or, more accurately still, ‘tolerantia.’ ‘‘In this noble word ὑπομονή there always appears (in the N. T.) a background of ἀνδρεία (cf. Plato, Theet. 177 ὁ, where ἀνδρικῶς ὑπομεῖναι is opposed to ἀνάνδρως φεύγειν) ; it does not mark merely the endurance, the ‘sustinentia’ (Vulg.), or even the ‘ patientia’ (Clarom.), but the ‘ perseverantia,’ the brave patience with which the Christian contends against the various hindrances, persecutions, and temptations that befal him in his conflict with the inward and outward world”’ (Ellicott, on 1 Thess. i. 3). It is, only springing from a nobler root, the κρατερὰ τλημοσύνη of Archilochus, Fragm. 1. (Gaisf. Poett. Min. Gr.). Cocceius (on Jam. i. 12) describes it well: ‘ Ὑπομονή versatur in contemtu bonorum hujus mundi, et in forti susceptione afflictionum cum gratiarum actione; imprimis autem in constantia fidei et caritatis, ut neutro modo quassari aut labefactari se patiatur, aut impediri quominus opus suum efficiat.’ For some other definitions see the article ‘ Geduld ’ in Herzog’s Real-Encyclopddie. We may proceed now to distinguish between these; and this distinction, I believe, will hold good wherever the words occur; namely, that μακροθυμία will be found to express patience in respect of persons, ὑπομονή in respect of things. The man μακροθυμεῖ, who, having to do with injurious persons, does not suffer himself easily to be provoked by them, or to blaze up into anger (2 Tim. iv. 2). The man ὑπομένει, who, under a great siege of trials, bears up, and does not lose heart or courage (Rom. v. 3; 2 Cor. i. 6; οἵ, Clement of Rome, ' These two Cicero (De Jnven. 11. 54) thus defines and distinguishes : ‘ Patientia est honestatis aut utilitatis causi rerum arduarum ac difficilium voluntaria ac diuturna perpessio; perseverantia est in ratione bene considerata stabilis et perpetua permansio;’ compare T'usc. Disp. iv. 24, where he deals with ‘ fortitudo’; and Augustine, Quest. lxxxiii. qu. 31. 186 SYNONYMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT § ui Cor. 5). We should speak, therefore, of the μακροθυμία of David (2 Sam. xvi. 10-13), the ὑπομονή of Job (Jam. v. 11). Thus, while both graces are ascribed to the saints, only μακροθυμία is an attribute of God; and there is a beautiful account of his μακροθυμία at Wisd. xii. 20, however the word itself does not there appear. Men may tempt and provoke Him, and He may and does display an infinite μακροθυμία in regard of them (Exod. xxxiv. 6; Rom. ii. 4; 1 Pet. ii. 20); there may be a resistance to God in men, because He respects the wills which He has given them, even when those wills are fighting against Him. But there can be no resistance to God, nor burden upon Him, the Almighty, from things ; therefore ὑπομονή can find no place in Him, nor is it, as Chrysostom rightly observes, properly ascribed to Him (yet see Augustine, De Patientid, ὃ 1), for it need hardly be observed that when God is called Θεὸς τῆς ὑπομονῆς (Rom. xv5), this does not mean, God whose own attribute ὑπομονή is, but God who gives ὑπομονή to his servants and saints (Tittmann, Ὁ. 194: ‘ Θεὸς τῆς ὑπομονῆς, Deus qui largitur ὑπομονήν :᾿ cf. Ps. xx. 5, LXX.); in the same way as Θεὸς χάριτος 1 Pet. v. 10) is God who is the author of grace; Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης (Heb. xiii. 20), God who is the author of peace ; and compare Θεὸς τῆς ἐλπίδος (Rom. xv. 13), ‘ the God of hope.’ ᾿Ανοχή, used commonly in the plural in classical Greek, signifies, for the most part, a truce or suspension of arms, the Latin ‘indutie.’ It is excellently rendered ‘ forbearance ’ on the two occasions of its occurrence in the N. T. (Rom. ii. 4; ili. 26). Between it and μακροθυμία Origen draws the following distinction in his Commentary on the Romans (ii. 4)—the Greek original is lost : —‘ Sustentatio [ἀνοχή] a patientia [paxpoθυμία)] hoe videtur differre, quod qui infirmitate magis quam proposito delinquunt swstentari dicuntur; qui vero pertinaci mente velut exsultant in delictis suis, ferri patienter dicendi sunt.’ This does not seize very successfully the distinction, which is not one merely of degree. Rather the dvoyy is temporary, transient: we may say that, like our ‘ truce,’ it asserts its own temporary, transient character; that after a certain αν SYNONYMS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT 187 lapse of time, and unless other conditions intervene, it will pass away. This, it may be urged, is true of μακροθυμία no less; above all, of the divine μακροθυμία (Luke xiii. 9). But as much does not lie in the word; we may conceive of a μακροθυμία, though it would be worthy of little honour, which should never be exhausted; while ἀνοχή implies its own merely provisional character. Fritzsche (on Rom. ii. 4) distinguishes the words: ‘7 ἀνοχή indulgentiam notat qua jus tuum non continuo exequutus, ei qui te leserit spatium des ad resipiscendum ; ἡ μακροθυμία clementiam significat qua iree temperans delictum non statim vindices, sed ei qui peccaverit poenitendi locum relinquas;’ elsewhere (Rom. 111. 26) he draws the matter still better to a point: ‘ Indulgentia [ἡ ἀνοχή] eo valet, ut in aliorum peccatis conniveas, non ut alicui peccata condones, quod clementie est.’ It is therefore most fitly used at Rom. iii. 26 in relation to the πάρεσις ἁμαρτίων which found place before the atoning death of Christ, as contrasted with the ἄφεσις ἁμαρτίων, which was the result of that death (see back, p. 108). It is that forbearance or suspense of wrath, that truce with the sinner, which by no means implies that the wrath will not be executed at the last; nay, involves that it certainly will, unless he be found under new conditions of repentance and obedience (Luke xiii. 9; Rom. 11. 3-6). The words are distinguished, but the difference ee them’ not very sharply defined, by Jeremy Taylor, in his first Sermon ‘ On the Mercy of the Divine Judgments,’ in wnt.

Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT

ἀνοχή. P Oxy VII. τοδδ15 (iii/A.p.) ἀλλὰ ἡμερῶν ἀνοχὴν ἔχω, “and I have a delay of some days” (Ed.).

Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon

ἀνοχή (anochē) — tolerance. ἀνοχή, ἡ, holding back, stopping, especially of hostilities: hence mostly in plural, armistice, truce, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀνοχὰς ποιεῖσθαι Canon Laws texts cited in [Refs 4th c.BC+]; compare ἀνοκωχή.

2. time, opportunity, οὐκ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἀνοχὴν ἐμβατεῦσαι[LXX]; ἡμερῶν ἀ. delay of some days, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]

3. plural, ἀνοχαί, = Latin feriae, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

4. ἀνοχαὶδικῶν, = Latin iustitium, [Refs]

II. (ἀνέχομαι) long-suffering, forbearance, [NT]

II.2. ἀνοχὴν ἀναπαύλης διδόναι permission to rest, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

II.3. relief from disease, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]

III. ={ἀνατολή}, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]

STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon

ἀνοχή, -ῆς, ἡ (ἀνέχω, -ομαι), [in LXX: 1Ma.12:25 (RV, respite)* ;] __1. in cl., a holding back, delaying (MM, VGT, see word). __2. forbearance, delay of punishment: Rom.2:4 3:26.† SYN.: μακροθυμία, ὑπομονή. ἀ., forbearance, is the result and expression of μ., which involves the idea of tolerance, long-suffering, as God with sinners. ὑ. expresses patience with respect to things, as μ. with persons; it is active as well as passive, denotes not merely endurance but perseverance (see Tr., Syn., § liii; Lft., Notes, 259, 273; DB, ii, 47). (AS)

Bible Occurrences (2)

📖 Greek Word Study — In-Depth Study from Precept Austin

Tolerance (463) anoche

Forbearance (tolerance) (463) (anoche from anecho = be patient with in regard to errors or weaknesses = "put up with") describes self-restraint, a holding back, a pause, a temporary cessation, a state of respite from something onerous or disagreeable. Forbearance refers to a refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due. Anoche describes a refraining from the enforcement of something. It is as if God had granted us temporary clemency, where clemency is defined as a mild, merciful disposition in the one who otherwise has the power and/or duty to punish. Anoche implies something temporary which may pass away (cp Ge 6:3) under new conditions. Hence it is used in connection with God's passing over of sins in the time preceding Christ's sacrificial death, Paul explaining in the only other NT use of anoche that... because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed. (see notes Romans 3:25) Anoche was used in secular Greek writings to describe a truce between warring parties. A truce represented a suspension of fighting, especially a suspension of considerable duration and by agreement of opposing forces. Anoche described an armistice which is a temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement between the opponents. The distinction is that the use in Scripture involves a "one sided armistice" in which God suspends justly deserved punishment even in the face of men continuing to be His enemy (Ro 5:10-note) and continuing to exhibit hostility (Col 1:21-note) toward Him. What an awesome God You are to sinners such as we! Armistice Day marked the termination of WWI on Nov 11, 1918. God's "Armistice Day" occurred on Calvary 2000 years ago. Hallelujah! Leon Morris adds an important note writing that anoche means that... God does not punish the sinner immediately after he sins. He holds back his final judgment and thus gives the sinner an interval in which he can repent and turn to God. But the important thing to notice about this word is that it points to a truce, not a peace. It is temporary. It implies a limit. If the sinner does nothing but sin, if he rejects the invitation to repent (cf. Eccl 8:11), then in due course he must face God with all his sin about him. God’s forbearance is wonderful, eloquent of his deep concern for people. But it is not forgiveness. (Ibid) Trench says that anoche describes that forbearance or suspension of wrath, that truce with the sinner, which by no means implies that the wrath will not be executed at the last; nay, involves that it certainly will, unless he be found under new conditions of repentance and obedience (Vincent) Rather than destroying every person the moment he or she sins, God graciously holds back His judgment (cf. Ro 3:25-note). He saves sinners in a physical and temporal way from what they deserve, to show them His saving character, that they might come to Him and receive salvation. Ray Stedman writes that... God patiently waits to help us see through these delusions. He is patient with us; he is forbearing. He doesn't beat us over the head, and demand that we face the truth. He patiently waits and gently leads, and put us in circumstances where we see these things if we are willing to face the facts. Because he waits so patiently, we fondly imagine that we can go on living in our castle in the clouds forever. But all bubbles burst eventually, and, sooner or later, we discover that all along we were not fooling God one bit -- he sees us for exactly what we are. (Romans 2:1-16: The Secrets of Men) But clearly God's forbearance has a limit. And so Paul is saying to the religious person that You think that you are safe because God’s judgment has not yet descended upon you. But what God is giving you is not carte blanche to sin; he is giving you the opportunity to repent and to amend your ways. In Ecclesiastes Solomon makes a parallel statement explaining the consequences of failing to appreciate the true nature and purpose of God's present patience writing that Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. (Ecclesiastes 8:11) God's postponing of His wrath only makes people think they can get away with more evil. Paul's point here in Romans 2 is clear that no man can sin forever with impunity. William Barclay writes that... Anoche is the word for a truce. True, it means a cessation of hostility, but it is a cessation that has a limit. Paul, in effect, is saying to the Jews, “You think that you are safe because God’s judgment has not yet descended upon you. But what God is giving you is not carte blanche to sin; he is giving you the opportunity to repent and to amend your ways.” A man cannot sin forever with impunity. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press) Spurgeon describes God's forbearance writing that it... "comes in when men having offended, God withholds the punishment that is due to them; when men, having been invited to mercy, have refused it, and yet God continues to stretch out his hands, and invite them to come to him. Patient endurance of offenses and insults has been manifested by God to many of you, who now hear these words of warning. The Lord knows to whom I speak and may he make you, also, know that I am speaking to you, even to you. Some men have gone back to the very sin of which for awhile they repented; they have suffered for their folly, but have turned again to it with suicidal determination. They are desperately set on their own ruin and nothing can save them. The burnt child has run to the fire again; the singed moth has plunged again into the flame of the candle; who can pity such self-inflicted miseries? They are given over to perdition, for they will not be warned. They have returned to the haunt of vice, though they seemed to have been snatched from the deep ditch of its filthiness. They have wantonly and willfully returned to their cups, though the poison of former draughts is yet burning in their veins. Yet, despite this folly, God shows forbearance towards them. They have grievously provoked him when they have done despite to his word, and have even turned to laughter the solemnities of his worship, against their own consciences, and to their own confusion: yet when his hand has been lifted up he has withdrawn it in mercy. See how God has always tempered his providence with kindness to them. He laid them low so that they were sore sick, but at the voice of their moaning he restored them. They trembled on the brink of death, yet he permitted them to recover strength; and now, despite their vows of amendment, here they are, callous and careless, unmindful of the mercy which gave them a reprieve. Did you ever think what is included in the riches of forbearance. There are quick tempered individuals who only need to be a little provoked, and hard words and blows come quick and furious: but, oh, the forbearance of God when he is provoked to his face by ungodly men!" O unexhausted Grace O Love unspeakable! I am not gone to my own place; I am not yet in hell! Earth doth not open yet, My soul to swallow up: And, hanging o'er the burning pit, I still am forced to hope. --Spurgeon Torrey's Topic The Longsuffering of God Is part of his character -Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalms 86:15 Salvation, the object of -2 Peter 3:15 Through Christ’s intercession -Luke 13:8 Should lead to repentance -Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9 An encouragement to repent -Joel 2:13 Exhibited in forgiving sins -Romans 3:25 EXERCISED TOWARD His people -Isaiah 30:18; Ezekiel 20:17 The wicked -Romans 9:22; 1 Peter 3:20 Plead in prayer -Jeremiah 15:15 Limits set to -Genesis 6:3; Jeremiah 44:22 THE WICKED Abuse -Ecclesiastes 8:11; Matthew 24:48,49 Despise -Romans 2:4 Punished for despising -Nehemiah 9:30; Mt 24:48, 49, 50, 51; Ro 2:5 Illustrated Luke 13:6,9 Exemplified Manasseh -2Chr 33:10, 11, 12, 13 Israel -Psalms 78:38; Isaiah 48:9 Jerusalem -Matthew 23:37 Paul -1 Timothy 1:16 "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/romans_2.htm#forbearance

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