Definitions:

1. To suffer long, be long-suffering, as opposed to hasty anger or punishment.
2. To forbear.
3. To endure patiently, as opposed to losing faith or giving up.
4. To tarry, delay.

References:

1. 1 Cor. 13:4, I Thess. 5:14; 2 Pet 3:9.
2. Matt. 18:26,29.
3. Heb. 6:15; James 5:7,8.
4. Luke 18:7.

1 Thess. 5:14-- And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient (makrothyMEIte) with everyone. (NIV)

2 Pet. 3:9--... [The Lord] is patient (makrothyMEI) with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)

Heb. 6:15--And so after waiting patiently (makrothyME-sas), Abraham received what was promised. (NIV)

Definition:

... (II) Spoken of persons, to bear with, have patience with in regard to the errors or weaknesses of anyone.

References:

Matt. 17:17--"O unbelieving (Apistos) and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with (aNECHomai) you?" (NIV)

Fosdick points out that no one treated Lincoln with more contempt than did Stanton. He called him "a low cunning clown." He nicknamed him "the original gorilla" and said that Du Chaillu was a fool to wander about Africa trying to capture a gorilla when he could have found one so easily at Springfield, Illinois.

Lincoln said nothing. He made Stanton his war minister because Stanton was the best man for the job. He treated Stanton with every courtesy.

The years wore on. The night came when the assassin's bullet murdered Lincoln in the theatre. In the little room to which the President's body was taken, there stood that same Stanton that night, and, looking down on the silent face of Lincoln in all its ruggedness, Stanton said through his tears, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." The patience of love had conquered in the end.

BT Internet:  makroqumew, be patient, wait patiently

St. John Chrysostom, Homily 33:  Consider, for example, from what point he at once began, and what he set first, as the cause of all its excellence. And what is this? Long-suffering. This is the root of all self-denial. Wherefore also a certain wise man said, "A man that is long-suffering is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit is mightily foolish."

And comparing it too with a strong city, he said that it is more secure than that. For it is both an invincible weapon and a sort of impregnable tower, easily beating off all annoyances. And as a spark falling into the deep doth it no injury, but is itself easily quenched: so upon a long-suffering soul whatever unexpected thing falls, this indeed speedily vanishes, but the soul it disturbs not: for of a truth there is nothing so impenetrable as long-suffering. You may talk of armies, money, horses, walls, arms, or any thing else whatsoever; you will name nothing like long-suffering. For he that is encompassed with those, oftentimes, being overcome by anger, is upset like a worthless child, and fills all with confusion and tempest: but this man, settled as it were in a harbor, enjoys a profound calm. Though thou surround him with loss, thou hast not moved the rock; though thou bring insult upon him, thou hast not shaken the tower: and though thou bruise him with stripes, thou hast not wounded the adamant.

Yea, and therefore is he called long-suffering, because he hath a kind of long and great soul. For that which is long is also called great. But this excellence is born of love, both to them who possess and to them who enjoy it contributing no small advantage. For tell me not of those abandoned wretches, who, doing evil and suffering none, become worse: since here, not from his long-suffering, but from those who abuse it, this result arises. Tell me not therefore of these, but of those gentler persons, who gain great benefit therefrom. For when, having done ill, they suffer none, admiring the meekness of the sufferer, they reap thereby a very great lesson of self command.

Adam Clarke:  Charity suffereth long] makroqumei, Has a long mind; to the end of which neither trials, adversities, persecutions, nor provocations, can reach. The love of God, and of our neighbour for God's sake, is patient towards all men: it suffers all the weakness, ignorance, errors, and infirmities of the children of God; and all the malice and wickedness of the children of this world; and all this, not merely for a time, but long, without end; for it is still a mind or disposition, to the end of which trials, difficulties, &c., can never reach. It also waits God's time of accomplishing his gracious or providential purposes, without murmuring or repining; and bears its own infirmities, as well as those of others, with humble submission to the will of God.

Geneva Notes:  Charity suffereth long, ... Literally, "defers wrath".

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible:  Charity suffereth long
The apostle, in this and some following verses, enumerates the several properties and characters of the grace of love; and all along represents it as if it was a person, and no doubt designs one who is possessed of it, and in whose heart it is implanted and reigns; such an one is said to "suffer long", or be "patient", as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read; not only under afflictions by the hand of God, which such an one considers as arising from love; but under the reproaches and persecutions of men, for the sake of Christ and his Gospel, and in imitation of him; such a person is slow to anger when abused, not quick of resentment, nor hasty to revenge when affronted; but exercises forbearance, suffers long, and bears much, and is ready to forgive:

John W. Gregson:  Love is patient ... with people ..., not necessarily with circumstances

Matthew Henry:  It is long suffering--makrothymei. It can endure evil, injury, and provocation, without being filled with resentment, indignation, or revenge. It makes the mind firm, gives it power over the angry passions, and furnishes it with a persevering patience, that shall rather wait and wish for the reformation of a brother than fly out in resentment of his conduct. It will put up with many slights and neglects from the person it loves, and wait long to see the kindly effects of such patience on him.

Jamieson, Fausset, & Brown:  suffereth long--under provocations of evil from others. The negative side of love.

B.W. Johnson:  Love suffereth long. Endures slights and wrongs patiently and long .... It is "slow to anger" (Psalm 103:8). Christ, "when he was reviled, reviled not again" (1 Peter 2:23). "The fruit of the Spirit is long-suffering" (Gal. 5:22). See also Rom. 2:4, and 2 Cor. 6:6.

Mark Heber Miller:  Love is long-suffering

The Greek MACRO [ = long] -THYMEI [ = desire; feeling] is variously rendered: MOF: patient; RHM: gracious; PHM: slow to lose patience; UBS int: suffers long. The word occurs about two dozen times. God possesses the attribute. (Romans 2:4; 9:22 1 Timothy 1:16) It is a fruit of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22) It is proof of an outstanding minister or servant. (2 Corinthians 6:6; 2 Timothy 3:10) It contributes to unity. (Ephesians 4:2) It is reflected in joy. (Colossians 1:11) A Christian should show it toward everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Robertson's Word Studies:  {Suffereth long} (makroqumei). Late Koine word (Plutarch) from makros, long, qumos, passion, ardor. Cf. #Jas 5:7f.

The Theologian: The Internet Journal for Integrated Theology:  Makrothumei literally refers to having a long nose, and is almost exclusively used to refer to patience in relationships rather than in difficult circumstances. When confronted with personal offense, then, the loving thing to do is to take a deep breath in through the nose - the longer the nose, the longer the pause and the more time to consider a response. Lack of this aspect of a loving character would obviously be conducive to further dissention in Corinth.

Bill Turner:  Love suffers long, love is patient. "Makrothumeo," literally, "long passion."

Paul uses "makrothumei," the present active indicative of "makrothumeo," to emphasise the continual habit of controlling the mind and passions for a long time. Paul showed this patience in speaking as he did to the unruly Corinthian Christians. "Makrothumeo" occurs in the New Testament in the following places: Rom.2v4. 9v22. 2Cor.6v6. Gal.5v22. Eph.4v2. Col.1v11. 3v12. 1Tim.1v16. 2Tim.3v10. 4v2. Heb.6v12. Jam.es.5v10. 1Pet.3v20. 2Pet.3v15. It speaks of Divine patience, as well as patience with people and with circumstances. It signifies the very opposite of the attitude of the worldling, who looks upon short patience, retaliation, spite and vengeance as virtues. With the Greeks "megalopsuchia" was a virtue; it was the desire for vengeance and the refusal to tolerate and accept any injury. These attitudes should have no place in God's family; God has been very longsuffering with us; let us imitate our longsuffering Lord, and show patience with others.

• DERIV:
• makRAN (3112) far, long, far off
• makROthen (3113) from afar
• makroCHROnios (3118) enduring a long time, long-lived
• SYN:
• ekteNE-s (1618) stretched out, continual, intense
• die-neKES (1336) continual, perpetual, protracted
• adiAleiptos (88) unceasing, continual, without intermission
• ANT:
• braCHYS (1024) short, small in time, space, or quantity
• ePHE-meros (2184) for the day, ephemeral, daily
• mikROS (3398) small, little, smaller, less
• synTOmo-s (4935) concisely, briefly, in few words

• FROM:
• THYo- (n.f.) to move impetuously, particularly as the air or wind, a violent motion or passion of the mind
• DERIV:
• enthyMEomai (1760) to have or resolve in mind, to think upon, to remember with agitation of spirit
• epithyMEo- (1937) to have the affections directed toward something, to lust, desire, long after
• EUthymos (2115) well-minded, well-disposed, benign
• thymomaCHEo- (2371) to fight fiercely, to be greatly offended, enraged against
• thyMOo- (2373) to provoke to anger
• PROthymos (4289) predisposed, ready, willing, prompt
• proTHYmo-s (4290) readily, willingly, with alacrity
• SYN:
• parorgisMOS (3950) the irritation, exasperation, or anger to which one is provoked
• ZE-los (2205) zeal, envy, jealousy, anger
• paroxysMOS (3948) a sharpening, encouragement to some act or feeling; a paroxysm, sharp contention, angry dispute
• ANT:
• eiRE-ne- (1515) peace, harmony, tranquility; health, welfare, prosperity
• he-syCHIa (2271) quietness, tranquility, stillness
• gaLE-ne-(1055) a calmness, tranquility, or quietness of the sea

• SYN:
• anoCHE- (463) forbearance, indulgence, temporary long-suffering
• epiEIkeia (1932) clemency, gentleness, consideration
• ANT:
• agaNAKte-sis (24) indignation
• orGE- (3709) wrath, anger as a state of mind
• thyMOS [see above, under FROM of "makrothyMEo-"]

• FROM:
• anECHo- (430)
  • FROM:
  • aNA (303) in
  • Echo- (2192) to have
• DERIV:
• anekTOteros (414) more tolerable, easier to be borne
• aneXIkakos (420) patient, describing one who bears evil, sorrow, ill
• anoCHE- [see above, under SYN of "makrothyMIa"]
• SYN:
• basTAzo- (941) to raise upon a basis, to support, to take up and hold, to bear
• PHEro- (5342) to bear, bring
• hypoPHEro- (5297) to underpin, bear up from underneath, support, sustain, to bear up under, endure evils
• phoREo- (5409) to bear about with or on oneself, to wear
• tropophoREo- (5159) to be patient with the difficult or idiosyncratic manners and conduct of others
• STEgo- [see page "beareth all things"]
• metriopaTHEo- (3356) to act with moderation, to moderate one's anger towards, to pardon, treat with mildness or meekness
• kakopaTHEo- (2553) to suffer evil or afflictions, to be afflicted, to endure, sustain afflictions, endure hardships
• PAScho- (3958) to suffer, to be affected by something from without, to be acted upon, to undergo an experience
• ANT:
• KRIno- (2919) to separate, discriminate between good and evil, to judge, to form or give an opinion after separating and considering the particulars of a case

• FROM:
• karteROS (n.f.) strength
• DERIV:
• proskarteREo- (4342) to tarry, remain somewhere, to continue steadfastly with someone, cleave to someone, be steadfast and faithful in the outgoings of the Christian life, esp. in prayer
• SYN:
• MEno- (3306) to remain, abide, dwell, live
• synkakopaTHEo- (4777) to suffer hardship, evil, or affliction along with someone
• hypECHo- (5254) to hold under, meaning to undergo, experience

• DERIV:
• pheidoMEno-s (5340) sparingly, not plentifully
• SYN:
• apECHomai (567) to abstain or refrain

• SYN:
• luPEo- (3076) to grieve (trans.), afflict with sorrow, to be grieved, sad, sorrowful
• baREomai (916) to be oppressed, burdened, weighed down
• taRASsomai (5015) to be in trepidation
• THLIbomai (2346) to be oppressed with evil, afflicted, distressed
• ochLEomai (3791) to be harrassed, vexed, mobbed
• enochLEomai (1776) to be excited, disturbed, troubled, annoyed
• parenochLEomai (3926) to be disturbed with additional disturbance, extra trouble
• SKYLlo- (4660) to skin, flay, lacerate; to harrass, trouble, weary
• anastaTOo- (387) to disturb, disquiet, unsettle, to excite, stir up to sedition
• thoryBEo-, thoryBAzo- (2350) to disturb, throw into a tumult, set in an uproar
• throEo- (2360) to make a clamor, tumult
• diapoNEo- (1278) to labor through, produce with labor
• embriMAomai (1690) to be enraged, indignant, to express indignation against someone, to murmur against, blame, admonish sternly, charge strictly, threaten indignantly for disobedience
• steNAzo- (4727) to groan, sigh, from distress or affliction; to grumble from impatience, ill-humor
• ANT:
• HE-syCHAzo- (2270) to rest from labor, to be quiet, live quietly, to be silent, not speaking, to acquiesce
• kataSTELlo- (2687) to put or let down, lower; to quell, assuage, pacify, e.g. a crowd
• anaPAUomai (373) to rest oneself, to take one's rest
• epanaPAUomai (1879) to rely, rest, repose oneself upon, to rest with the sense of remaining upon
• eire-NEUo- (1514) to make peace, be at peace, to live in peace, harmony, accord
• kataPAUo- (2664) to make to cease, to cause to rest, to restrain