Definition: Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Romans 2:4. It's a really important one about our relationship with God and how we should respond to His gifts. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Core Idea: “You are rejecting the good things God offers you – like wealth, kindness, and patience – without realizing that His goodness is actually leading you towards repentance.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: "Or despisest thou..." - This means "you reject" or “you are scornful” of… something. It’s a strong word suggesting a negative feeling. "...the riches of his goodness..." – This refers to all the good things God has given us: blessings, opportunities, gifts, and everything He provides for our well-being. Think of it as the gifts and advantages that God offers us. "...and forbearance..." - This means "patience" or “gentleness.” It’s about being kind and understanding, even when things are difficult. "...and longsuffering..." – This is a longer phrase meaning “enduring patience” or “long-holding endurance.” It speaks to God's unwavering love and commitment to us. "Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" - This is the crucial part. It’s saying, "You don’t realize that God’s good gifts are actually calling you to change your way of thinking or behaving." What it means practically: Imagine someone is given a beautiful, expensive gift (the riches). They might be content with it and not even appreciate it as much as they should. But this verse says we can do the same thing – focus on the things God gives us without realizing He’s trying to guide us towards a better path, toward repentance – which means turning away from sin and seeking a closer relationship with Him. Why is this important? Romans 2:4 is about recognizing our responsibility to respond to God's gifts with gratitude and humility. It reminds us that true happiness comes not just from receiving blessings, but also from growing in faith and obedience to His will. It’s a call to be open to God’s guidance and to actively seek repentance – a turning away from wrong behavior. In short: We need to be grateful for what God gives us, but we must also recognize that He's leading us towards a better life through repentance – a change of heart and mind. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse in more detail? Give some examples of how this principle applies to our lives?