Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?—Romans 2:4
BLB
Despise - to contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of
Goodness - moral goodness, integrity, benignity, kindness
Forbearance - self-restraint, i.e. tolerance:
Longsuffering - patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs
Believers Bible Commentary:
—judgment of God is according to truth
—judgment of God is inescapable unless we repent
—judgment of God is sometimes delayed (vs 4)
I have loved this verse from my very first reading because it caused me look back to the road I traveled to repentance. It made me see that it truly was His goodness, His forbearance, and His long-suffering toward me that led me to repentance. 1 Peter 3:9 says this:
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
I am so glad the Lord was patient with me...looking back I can see His providential hand on my life...protecting and preserving me while leading me to Himself with cords of kindness. ❤️
