Erek of His Talmidim: Our race of patient endurance

Fruit of the Ruach HaKodesh Series

The Fruit of the Spirit refers to nine attributes that reflect a life guided by Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit), as described in Galatians 5:22-23. These attributes are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Y’hovah has called every talmid to run our race with patient endurance. We are not called to sprint for a moment but to persevere faithfully through the entire journey He has set before us. The life of discipleship is a race of endurance, requiring resolve, determination, and steadfast faith under pressure.

We are to continue persevering in the face of suffering, opposition, trials, and spiritual resistance. We are to look beyond the situation and fix our eyes on the prize that awaits us at the finish line. As Rav Sha’ul declared:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. All that awaits me now is the crown of righteousness…”
— 2 Timotiyos (2 Timothy) 4:7–8, CJB

Let nothing deter you from reaching the goal and reward that lies before you.
For as Sha’ul also wrote:

“So let us not grow weary of doing what is good; for if we don’t give up, we will in due time reap the harvest.”
— Galatim (Galatians) 6:9, CJB

This is the essence of Erek: long-suffering, steadfast endurance, and the power to remain faithful until the end.

The Nature of Erek: Long-Suffering Love

Erek is rooted in the very nature of Y’hovah Himself. Scripture describes Him as:

“Erek apayim”—slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness.
— Shemot (Exodus) 34:6

This attribute is not passive; it is the active restraint of divine mercy. Y’hovah’s patience with humanity reveals His desire for restoration, not destruction.

Likewise, HaMashiach walked in perfect long-suffering:

“When He was insulted, He did not retaliate… but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.”
— 1 Kefa (1 Peter) 2:23, CJB

Erek is the love that refuses to quit, the patience that chooses mercy, and the endurance that overcomes evil with good.

Endurance Is the Mark of a True Talmid

Y’hoshua taught that endurance is not optional—it is the dividing line between true talmidim and casual followers.

“By your patient endurance you will gain your lives.”
— Lukas (Luke) 21:19, CJB

Afflictions and persecutions will cause some to drop out of the race. HaMashiach Himself warned:

(Luke 21:12–19 teaches of afflictions, betrayal, hatred, persecution, and the need for steadfast endurance.)

But those who have developed the fruit of erek will remain firm, refusing to yield to adverse circumstances.

The narrow way requires endurance:

“Enter in through the narrow gate… the way is hard pressed which leads to life, and few find it.”
— Mattityahu (Matthew) 7:13–14, TS2009

A talmid with Erek stands firm, unmoved and unshaken, committed to the will of Y’hovah.

Trials, Testing, and the Formation of Erek

Erek is not formed in comfort — it is forged in affliction.

“The testing of your trust produces perseverance… so that you may be complete and whole.”
— Ya’akov (James) 1:2–4, CJB

Every hardship becomes a tool in the hands of Y’hovah, shaping us into the likeness of His Son. Sha’ul teaches:

“Pressure works endurance; endurance, approvedness; approvedness, expectation. And expectation does not disappoint…”
— Romans 5:2–5, TS2009

This is the progression of maturity.

Even the prophets endured:

“Take the prophets… as an example of suffering and patience…
you have heard of the endurance of Iyoḇ.”
— James 5:7–11, TS2009

And Y’hovah challenges His people:

“If you have run with the footmen and they wearied you,
how will you contend with horses?”
— Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 12:5, CJB

Y’hovah is raising up a people who can stand in every season — with horses, through the swelling of the Yardén, in the pressure of the final days.

Cultivating the fruit of long-suffering enables the talmid to obtain the promises of Y’hovah.
Failure to receive may come from a lack of endurance.

“Be imitators of those who by their trust and patience are receiving what has been promised.”
— Ivrim (Hebrews) 6:12, CJB

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the desire of Elohim, you receive the promise.”
— Ivrim (Hebrews) 10:36, TS2009

With His people, this has always been true:

• Avraham stood for 25 years - Abraham waited 25 years for the fulfillment of YHVH's promise to give him a son, demonstrating great emunah (faith) during this long period of waiting. His story illustrates the importance of trusting in YHVH's timing and promises, even when they seem delayed.
• Caleb held fast for 45 years - Caleb demonstrated remarkable faith and patience by holding onto YHVH's promise for 45 years, waiting for the opportunity to claim his inheritance in the Promised Land. His unwavering belief and strength at 85 serve as an inspiring example of perseverance and trust in YHVH's Word.
• Noah believed 75-120 years - By emunah, Noaḥ, having been warned of what was yet unseen, having feared and believing YHVH, prepared an ark to save his house, through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Their ability to endure was the measure of their faith.

Y’hoshua also taught:

“Whatever you ask for in prayer, trust that you are receiving it, and it will be yours.”
— Markos (Mark) 11:24

Standing brings forth fruit. Endurance brings manifestation. Erek holds the promise until it becomes reality.

Erek in Congregational Life: Keeping Strife Out

Long-suffering is an act of the will. Each talmid is responsible for cultivating it.

“Put on compassion, kindness, humbleness, meekness, patience…
bearing with one another and forgiving each other.”
— Qolosim (Colossians) 3:12–13, TS2009

Faults themselves rarely cause strife, division, and conflict among believers — but by a lack of patience, a lack of erek apayim among Y’hovah’s servants.

Sha’ul writes:

“…so that with one accord and with one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.”
— Romans 15:4–6, CJB

Peace and harmony do not depend upon the absence of imperfection — but upon the presence of HaMashiach through the Ruach.

This is why we must learn to respond compassionately even to unpleasant or difficult people, resisting the fleshly desire to retaliate.

“…put off the old man… and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
— Eph’siyim (Ephesians) 4:21–23

A congregation filled with Erek is a congregation filled with the Ruach.

Cultivating Erek in Our Daily Walk

A. Stay Rooted in TORAH

“Great peace have those who love Your TORAH; nothing makes them stumble.”
— Tehillim (Psalm) 119:165

We must take TORAH for what it is: The Word of YHVH. (His instructions) This is the whole Bible, not just a portion or the five books of Moshe. Scripture is breathed out by YHVH (His Word is Spirit and Life) and is our guide for reproof and correction, helping individuals recognize their mistakes and leading them towards right living. It serves to teach and reveal YHVH's patterns, correct faults, and instruct in righteousness, equipping disciples for good works.
Timotiyos Aleph (1 Timothy) 3:16

B. Trust the Timing of Y’hovah

“Those who wait on יהוה renew their strength…”
— Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 40:29–31, TS2009

Hope, patience, and promise all blend together:

“Hoping for what we don’t see, with patience we wait for it.”
— Romans 8:24–25, CJB

C. Keep Your Eyes on Y’hoshua

“…for the joy set before Him, He endured the stake…”
— Ivrim (Hebrews) 12:2

D. Surrender Daily

Patience is the product of a heart yielded to the Ruach.

E. Let Tribulation Produce Fruit

“Trouble produces endurance; endurance produces character; character produces hope.”
— Romans 5:3–4, CJB

Erek grows through practice.

The Race Set Before Us: Finishing Well

The life of a talmid is a lifelong race:

• resisting sin
• enduring persecution
• forgiving endlessly
• carrying our assignments
• holding fast to promises
• walking in unity
• refusing to quit

“Let us run with perseverance the race set before us.”
— Ivrim (Hebrews) 12:1

Y’hovah requires us to stand — not to prove information, but to prove faith.

A talmid with Erek finishes the race and receives the crown.

Hebrew Word Study: אֶרֶךְ / Erek & אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם / Erek Apayim

Erek (אֶרֶךְ)
Literally means: long, extended, drawn-out.
In character, it refers to long patience, slow reaction, delayed anger, and extended endurance.

Erek Apayim (אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם)
Means “slow to anger,” but in Hebrew thought it conveys:

• a long fuse
• a restrained nose (anger)
• the ability to withhold wrath
• patience rooted in compassion

This is one of Y’hovah’s Thirteen Attributes (Shemoth (Exodus) 34:6-7) in Jewish understanding — and one of the clearest reflections of His nature.

1. יְהוָה YHVH (compassion before a person sins^[10]);
2. יְהוָה YHVH (compassion after a person has sinned^[10]);
3. אֵל El (possessing the power to bestow kindness^[11]);
4. רַחוּם Raḥum: merciful (that mankind may not be distressed^[12]);
5. וְחַנּוּן VeḤanun: and gracious (if mankind is already in distress^[12]);
6. אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם Erekh appayim: slow to anger;
7. וְרַב-חֶסֶד VeRav ḥesed: and plenteous in kindness;
8. וֶאֱמֶת VeEmet: and truth (fulfilling His promises^[12]);
9. נֹצֵר חֶסֶד לָאֲלָפִים Notzer ḥesed la'alafim: keeping kindness unto thousands (of generations). In the Torah scroll the נֹ‎ is enlarged;
10. נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן Noseh avon: forgiving iniquity;
11. וָפֶשַׁע VaFeshah: and transgression;
12. וְחַטָּאָה VeḤata'ah: and sin;
13. וְנַקֵּה VeNakeh: and pardoning.

When the Ruach produces Erek in us, He is forming the very heart of Y’hovah in our lives. This is what empowers us to run our race with endurance.

Erek is the strength to keep running and the patience that refuses to quit.
The endurance that clings to Y’hovah until every promise is fulfilled.
It is the fruit that empowers unity, faith, hope, and love.

This is the race of His talmidim and the calling of every disciple of Rabbi HaGadol Y’hoshua Ben Y'hovah.

May Y’hovah form Erek in you — and may you finish well, receiving the crown prepared for you from the Righteous Judge.

By Rabbi Francisco Arbas
📧 franciscoarbas.yisrael@gmail.com
Following His ‘WAY’ — Netzari Mashiach Judaism