And hast borne,.... Not evil men, nor false apostles, but "burdens", as the Ethiopic version reads, and as the word signifies; meaning afflictions, reproaches, and persecutions, which pressed sore, and lay heavy on these ministers and churches; and yet they bore them with constancy and cheerfulness, and were not moved by them.
The Arabic version reads, "and thou hast borne me"; my name and Gospel, among the Gentiles, and carried it from place to place; see Ac 9:15;and hast patience; which they had from God, as his gift, and which they had in their hearts, and in exercise, and found it useful to them.
It was in exercise in a suitable time, and it continued with them; it was not worn out through the length and greatness of their trials.