Gentleness; Learn How to Use This Godly Quality Better

Gentleness (aka meekness) is a quality of God given to you by the Holy Spirit. It is an inner beauty shown by the way we treat others. It pairs well with love! Cherish your new life in Christ and learn to use this virtue.

Summary

Colossians 3:12-15

So, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord forgave you, so you also must forgive. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (CENT)

Think about this

The gentleness received from God is not cruel or violent. A gentle person is willing to adjust and put others first. Their calm, caring nature is accompanied by meekness. It is inner beauty and quality that shows God is inside.

Key Points:

1. A Godly Quality

   Gentleness like love is a quality of God. Come to me, all you who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest! 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly-minded, and ‘you shall find rest for your souls’; 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” [Matthew 11:28-30 (TCNT)].
   The Lord is gentle; His ‘yoke’ {teachings; what He wants us to do} is easy and the ‘burden’ {load we carry} is light. If it is hard for you to serve and live for God, be mindful that Jesus said it is easy.

2. Way of being

   Live in a modest, unselfish, gentle and easy-going way. Put up with each other in peace with love. Therefore I, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace [Ephesians 4:1-3 (RKJNT)].

3. Love

   Help each other using gentle love. Brothers, if any one of you is overwhelmed by a [particular] sin, those of you who are spiritually minded should [attempt to] restore such a person [to faithfulness]. But do it in a gentle way, being very careful that you yourself do not become tempted [to get involved in any sin]. 2 Take on yourselves the [spiritual] burdens of one another, for in doing so you will be fulfilling Christ’s law [of love, John 13:35] [Galatians 6:1-3 (AUV)].

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Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (KJV)

NOTE: the NKJV and RKJNT replaced gentleness (KJV) with kindness and meekness (KJV) with gentleness.

Gentleness of kindness? From Tyndale 1525 through Joseph Smith’s 1867 English translation gentleness was used instead of kindness for chrestotes. Of course that includes the 1611 KJV. However, the New KJV (NKJV) and Revised KJNT (RKJNT) translators use kindness.

G5544 χρηστότης chrestotes (chree-sto’-tees) n. 1. benignity, kindness.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 Gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law. (RKJNT)

Meekness

The King James translators followed earlier translations/revisions, mainly Tyndale^[1] (the first printed English New Testament 1525) and the Great Bible^[2] (considered the first printed edition of the Bible authorized by a King of England-King Henry VIII). They use the word meekness instead of gentleness for the Greek word praotes (prah”-ot’-ace) meaning gentleness.

The Twentieth Century 1904 (TCNT) translators appear to be the first to render praotes as gentleness.

Meekness has the quality of being compliant and submissive. God is supreme (the highest; above all {Ephesians 4:6}) and not compliant or submissive to any. Therefore one must challenge the use of meekness as a product of the Holy Spirit. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. [Psalm 57:2 (KJV)].

H5945 the phrase ‘most high’ is from the Hebrew עֶליוֹן `elyown (el-yone’) adj. 1. (comparatively, as title) the Supreme.

Yet the most High does not dwell in temples made with hands; as the prophet says, [Acts 7:48 (RKJNT)]

G5310 ὕψιστος hupsistos (hoop’-sis-tos) adj. highest, that is, (masculine singular) the Supreme (God).

πρᾳότης praotes

The Greek word for gentleness used in Galatians 5:23 is πρᾳότης praotes (prah”-ot’-ace). FYI: there are many English words used for praotes by Bible translators. They are modesty, temperance, meekness, gentleness, humility, reasonableness, graciousness, mildness, tolerance and courtesy. The two most common are meekness and gentleness.

G4236 πρᾳότης praotes (prai-o’-tees) n. 1. gentleness, mildness, meekness. 2. (by implication) humility. [from G4235] KJV: meekness.

Gentleness defined

Gentleness is the quality or state of being gentle. A person who uses gentleness is generous, kind, considerate, and thoughtful in manner. They keep up a state of mildness, tenderness, softness, and honor. If you have the Holy Spirit, you have gentleness, but are you friendly, peaceful, patient, modest, and easily managed or handled? In other words do you give people a hard time?

Synonyms for “gentleness”

• Benevolent – Marked by or disposed to do good, an act of kindness, a generous gift; gracious; manifesting kindness and gentleness.
• Delicate – Finely sensitive in feeling, understanding, or responding; having or showing a sensitive distaste for anything offensive or improper.
• Meek – Mild tempered; soft; gentle; not easily angered or irritated. Mellow and uses self-control when hurt by others.
• Moderate – Keeping within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme; not violent.
• Pity – To experience or express compassion; sympathy with the grief or misery of another; compassion or fellow suffering.
• Softhearted – Full of compassion or tenderness; not strict or severe.
• Tenderhearted – Easily moved to pity; sympathetic.

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Your Conduct

The conduct of a Godly wise person shows that they are intelligent, humble, and gentle. James 3:17 gives you a few tips for proper behavior. Does your conduct meet the James 3:17 standard?

James 3:13-15

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and do not lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. (NHEB)

Be gentle

Gentle are the ways of a child of God. Their actions make others know if they are wise and Spirit-led. A wise/intelligent/gentle person does not resort to using harsh/hurtful words or violence. They are not bitter or too ambitious (greedy). However, they are thoughtful, calm, humble, and caring.

Philippians 4:5

Let your gentleness (mildness) (moderation) be known to all men for the Lord is near. (NSB)

G1933 ἐπιεικής epieikes (e-piy-ei-kees’) adj. gentle, mild, forbearing, fair, reasonable, moderate.

Not weakness

“Do not confuse gentleness with weakness. God is gentle but also firm.” – Tim

Jesus was not always gentle. A good example is when He dealt with the merchants and money changers. He made a whip of small cords and drove them out of the temple. Then he poured out the changers’ money and overturned their tables. Read John 2:13-22 for the full story.

Paul made it clear that there was a time to be firm. Read his warning to the church in Corinth, 1 Corinthians 4:18-21. “Shall I come to you with a rod [of discipline], or lovingly, and with a spirit of gentleness?”

My friend, there is a time to be gentle and a time to be firm. Do mistaken gentleness for weakness. God will pour out His wrath on all who disobey Him (including Christians who do not obey Him).

Ephesians 5:6

Do not let anyone deceive you with empty words, for because of such things [listed in verses 3-5], the wrath of God will fall upon people who are disobedient [to Him] (AUV)

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Gentleness wrap-up

Titus 3:1-3

Remind your hearers to respect and obey the powers that be, to be ready for every kind of good work, to speak ill of no one, to avoid quarreling, 2 to be forbearing, and under all circumstances to show a gentle spirit in dealing with others, whoever they may be.

3 There was, you remember, a time when we ourselves were foolish, disobedient, misled, slaves to all kinds of passions and vices, living in a spirit of malice and envy, detested ourselves and hating one another. (OEB)

I close this with words from Colossians 3:12-13 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you.‘ (ERV)

Monitor the way you treat people to see if you have changed into a true follower of Christ. You have His Spirit, allow it to work in your life; even ‘manly men’ can be gentle.

Gentlemen and Ladies

1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; (KJV)

As children of the King of kings, you are royal. You were born into the royal holy family by the Holy Spirit. You have qualities considered proper to those of good birth or high social standing; refined; polite and distinguished. Cherish your new life in Christ, be gentle people that please God our King and be blessed—♥ Tim ☺.

Bible study Scriptures outline

Note: parenthesis (#) enclose the key verses.

Summary: Colossians 3:12-17 (12-15); Matthew 11:25-30 (29); Ephesians 4:1-6 (1-3); Galatians 6:1-5 (1-3).

Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:16-26 (22-23); Psalms 57:2-3 (2); Acts 7:44-50 (48).

Your conduct: James 3:13-18 (13-15 and 17); Philippians 4:2-7 (5); John 2:13-22 [(13-16); compare Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48]. 1 Corinthians 4:18-21; Ephesians 5:1-7 (6).

Wrap-up: Titus 3:1-8 (1-3); Colossians 3:12-17 (12-13); 1 Peter 2:4-10 (9).

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:

Fruit of the Spirit; Helpful Qualities Just For You! – an estimated 19-minute read.

Christian Life; A Life in Christ Full of Love – an estimated 32-minute read.

Godly Wisdom; 5 Really Simple Studies Of This Wisdom – an estimated 25-minute read.

♥ Question for ‘gentleness’: Have you learned to use gentleness and how to be gentle?

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Sources:

^[1]BBC History – William Tyndale || Catholic Encyclopedia – (3) Printed English Bibles (a) William Tyndale ♦ ^[2]Wikipedia || Greatsite.com || Catholic Encyclopedia – (3) Printed English Bibles (e) ‘About 1536…Great Bible’ || G4236 studybible.info || G5544 biblehub.com || G5310 lexiconcordance.com || Twentieth Century New Testament wiki || H5945 blueletterbible.org || G1933 billmounce.com

Copyright information:

(CENT) Common Edition New Testament, Copyright © Timothy E. Clontz 1999. All rights reserved. || (ERV) Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and used by permission. || (WE) Taken from THE JESUS BOOK – The Bible in Worldwide English. Copyright SOON Educational Publications, Derby DE65 6BN, UK. Used by permission.