Theme: Fruit of Gentleness
Text: Colossians 3:12-14 & Galatians 5:22-23.
Greetings & Introduction:
Gentleness is the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Bible Dictionary defines it as ‘Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behaviour, founded on strength and prompted by love. It is the eighth ingredient of the this Fruit of the Spirit. Today, I would like to share the character gentleness with the letters A B C. Acquire it, Be a gentle person, and Chase or pursue it.
1. Acquire Gentleness.
In the epistle to Galatians 5:23, Paul used the word Gentleness. This word Gentleness and Meekness are used interchangeably in the Bible. The Greek word ‘Praotes’ is translated as meek and gentle by different scholars and translators. For example, AMPC puts as ‘Gentleness (meekness, humility)’, KJV puts as ‘meekness, temperance’, Phillips Translation says ‘tolerance and self-control’, DRA puts as ‘continency, chastity. Therefore the words used by the scholars to refer the gentleness are meekness, humility, tolerance, and continence. Gentleness is one of the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit, each of which reinforces and finds an expression in others.
Matthew 5:5. Meek (Gk. praus) is an ethical word. Meek is understood by Aristotle as ‘protest (character between orgilotes (excessive anger) and ‘aorgesia’ (excessive anger less).
So clear understanding must be: Blessed is the man who is always angry at the right time and never angry at the wrong time. Right anger comes when others are treated with injustice and never gets angry for injustice to the self.
Also, it means God controlled life as that of a tamed animal-like, lion, tiger, elephant under their masters. You are trained and controlled by God to obey and be meek. Trained to be self-controlled of every instinct, every impulse and every passion of yours. You become a man of lofty heartedness. That’s why the LORD said, “Moses was very meek”(Numbers 12:3).
Prautes denotes the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself, in particular, in a patient submissiveness to offence, free from malice and desire for revenge. It is a strength, the ability to bear reproaches and slights without bitterness and resentment. This capability provides a soothing influence on someone in a state of anger, bitterness and resentment against life. It is obedient submissiveness to God and His will, with unwavering faith and enduring patience displaying itself in a gentle attitude and kind acts toward others, especially in the face of opposition. (ref: preceptaustin.org).
So Paul explained to the saints at Philippi that the development of our Christian character of righteousness, godliness, gentleness, etc., requires a daily choice to work out our salvation in fear and tremble (Philippians 2:12). Dr Thomas Constable, a Commentator, says "Gentleness" is tender kindness toward others. It refers to specific actions that define correct ways of relating to a hostile world. (ref: Studylight.Com).
“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, a peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of Spirit of God. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless” (The Passion Translation). It is the fruit of the Spirit. Life transformation results in gentleness.
2. Be gentle with all.
First of all, we must be gentle. Being gentle means showing love and care for others in the way we act and speak. To have gentleness is to have a gentle spirit in us. Gentleness (praupathia) describes composure or a calm disposition. The mildness of disposition, the gentleness of spirit, meekness.
“Let your gentleness be known of all men.” (Philippians 4:5). David says to God that his gentleness has made him great (2 Samuel 22:36, Psalm 18:35). Gentleness puts away the wrath of the king (Ecclesiastes 10:4).
A gentle answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). Jesus declared that he was gentle and humble (Matthew 11:28). Let your gentleness be evident to all (Philippians 4:5). Clothe yourselves with gentleness (Colossians 3:12-14). “Godliness is a thorough conformity to the image of God and mind of Christ. Meekness means bearing up with an even mind under all adversities and contradictions.”(Adam Clark).
The fruit of gentleness will correct others with easiness instead of arguing in resentment and anger, knowing that their salvation is far more important than our pride (2 Timothy 2:24-25). It helps us forgive others readily because any offence toward us is nothing compared to our offences against God. God has already forgiven our offences (Matthew 18:23-35). It puts us in the right direction in our life. The goal becomes less about ourselves and more about preaching the gospel and destroys Competition and sectarianism (Philippians 1:15-18). Gentleness also means giving up the right to judge what is best for ourselves and others. (ref:gotquestions.org).
Paul appeals to believers to live by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:1). Church leaders are admonished to be "not violent but gentle" toward persons under their care ( 1 Timothy 3:3). Knowing themselves to be subject to weakness, they can more readily deal gently with the ignorant and the erring. A witness to Christian truth is more effective for being made "with gentleness and respect" especially toward a hostile or an unbelieving listener ( 2 Timothy 2:25, 1 Peter 3:15). The qualities to which gentleness is joined elucidate its setting and character.
3. Chase or Pursue Gentleness
Paul taught Timothy to flee from the evil passions and pursue gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11). Coffman observes that Paul urged Timothy in this passage on three things: ‘Flee, Follow and Fight.’ Flee from evil passions, follow meekness and fight for godliness and victory. (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
No growth is automatic. Our spiritual growth is conditioned upon our responses. The spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, obedience, faith, the study of the Scriptures, and proper responses to trials, help our intimacy increase with Christ. It leads to maturity and earns a reward.
The word pursues (dioko from dío = pursue, prosecute, persecute) means following zealously or pressing hard after something. Run swiftly to catch a person or thing. It is an intense, diligent, determined, earnest, eager effort to pursue this godly virtue. It says that you tireless hunt it.
Paul uses this verb Dioko to denote the pursuit of moral or spiritual ends. (Romans 14:19, 1 Peter 3:11, Romans 9:30, 31; 12:13, 1 Corinthians 14:1 (pursue love), Philippians 3:12, 14; 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (pursue good). habitual practice, our lifestyle. We must continually choose to vigorously, earnestly, zealously pursue it. No one can acquire it by hanging around church buildings (ref: preceptaustin.org).
Matthew Henry: The occasions and provocations of anger often set our meekness at a distance from us, and we have it to seek when we have most need of it, but we must follow after it, and not be taken off from the pursuit by any diversion whatever.
J R Miller says ‘gentleness' is a beautiful quality and an essential true character needed for all. Nobody admires ungentleness in either man or woman. Ungentleness mars the beauty of any person.
Conclusion: remember A B C. Acquire, Be Gentle and Chase.
