The biblical concepts closest to tolerance are patience (makrothymia), long-suffering, and forbearance — the willingness to endure difference, disagreement, and even offense without retaliation. God Himself is described as patient, "not wishing that any should perish" (2 Peter 3:9), bearing with sinners in redemptive kindness. Christians are called to bear with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2), to be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14). But biblical patience never requires calling evil good, affirming what God calls sin, or pretending that all paths lead to life. Tolerance of persons — yes. Tolerance of all beliefs as equally true — no. Love that does not warn is not love.
TOL'ERANCE, n. [L. tolerantia.] 1. The power or capacity of enduring; or the act of enduring. 2. The allowance of that which is not altogether approved. Specifically, the allowance of religious opinions and modes of worship in a state, when contrary to, or different from, those of the established church or belief of the state.
Contemporary "tolerance" has been redefined from "I will not harm or silence you though I disagree" to "you must affirm, celebrate, and validate every lifestyle and belief as equally valid — or you are hateful." This is not tolerance; it is compelled speech and enforced agreement. The new tolerance is spectacularly intolerant of Christians, conservatives, and anyone who holds traditional moral views. It demands approval, not mere coexistence. Ironically, the loudest champions of tolerance are often the most ruthless in destroying those who dissent. The old tolerance — civil treatment of those with whom you disagree — was actually a Christian virtue. The new tolerance is a weapon against it.
• Ephesians 4:2 — "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love."
• Romans 2:4 — "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"
• 2 Peter 3:9 — "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish."
• Ephesians 5:11 — "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."
• Jude 1:3 — "Contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."
G3115 — μακροθυμία (makrothymia) — "long-suffering, patience with people"; from makros (long) + thymos (passion, temper) — holding one's temper long; the divine patience toward sinners modeled in Christian community.
G0430 — ἀνέχομαι (anechomai) — "to bear with, endure, put up with"; used in Ephesians 4:2 for bearing with one another's weaknesses and differences in the body of Christ.
"The Christian has always been called to love and bear with those who differ — but love that withholds the truth to avoid offense is not love; it is cowardice in disguise."
"True tolerance means you can peacefully coexist with those you believe are wrong. The new tolerance means you must agree — or be destroyed. One is a virtue; the other is a power play."
"God is the most patient Being in the universe, bearing with centuries of rebellion. But His patience has an end, and a purpose: it is meant to lead to repentance, not to signal approval."