Tag: lowly

Gentleness

Neal Pollard

The word does not show up very much in the New Testament, yet it is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23). It may seem similar to patience and kindness, but it differs from them. Spiros Zodhiates, in his New Testament word study, explains gentleness as 

Meekness, but not in a man’s outward behavior only, nor in his relations to  his fellow man or his mere natural disposition. Rather, it is an inwrought grace of the soul, and the expressions of it are primarily toward God (James 1:21; 3:13; 1 Pet. 3:15; Sept.: Ps. 45:4). It is that attitude of spirit we accept God’s dealings with us as good and do not dispute or resist. Praǘtēs, according to  Aristotle, is the middle standing between two extremes, getting angry without reason (orgilótēs [n.f.]), and not getting angry at all (aorgēsía [n.f.]). Therefore, praǘtēs is getting angry at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right reason.  Praǘtēs is not readily expressed in Eng. (since the term “meekness” suggests weakness), but it is a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness, not in weakness, but in power. It is a balance born in strength of character.

Gentleness may be the consummate people skill, but it is so difficult to master. It’s often emphasized as a skill we each must have as members of the church (2 Tim. 2:24; Ti. 3:1-2). Gentleness comes in handy with soul-winning (1 Pet. 3:15), proving wisdom (James 3:13), in preaching (2 Tim. 2:25, and moral living (1 Tim. 6:11).

In the context of Galatians 5-6 and being a spiritual member of the church, gentleness is necessary for holding a congregation together. It’s how we’re told to restore an erring brother–gently (Gal. 6:1). In fact, congregational unity hinges upon our being gentle with each other (Eph. 4:1-3). 

Why is this tough? Because the world tells you it’s dog eat dog, you get them before they get you, and you go for the juggler vain. That’s horrible advice for doing business and even worse advice for treating your brethren. We live by a higher law that includes gentleness. 

A story is told  of a man whose kids won four free goldfish so he went one morning to find an aquarium at the store. The first few he priced were way too expensive, but then he spotted a discarded 10-gallon display tank, complete with gravel and filter for a mere $5. It was filthy, but the savings made the two hour clean up well worth it. Those four fish seemed to thrive in their new home, for the first day. But by the next day, one was dead. The day after that a second was dead, and a third one was gone by the end of that day. An expert was consulted and he quickly discovered the problem. The man had washed the tank with soap, an absolute no-no. His misguided efforts had destroyed the very lives he tried to protect. 

Sometimes, in our zeal to clean up others’ lives, we use the killer soaps of condemnation, criticism, nagging, and outbursts of anger. We may think we are doing right, but our harsh self-righteousness is too much for the object of our efforts.  Paul stresses that a failure to practice gentleness proves that we are spiritually immature and weak. Jesus Himself embodied it (Mat. 11:29; 21:5), and He teaches that His followers win by incorporating it (Mat. 5:5). 

How can you practice gentleness today?

  • When someone who looks up to you or is influenced by you has sinned or done something unwise, temper your response with a loving, pleasant, and kind reaction.
  • When inconvenienced or delayed by someone (at school, on the job, shopping, in traffic), beat back bad temper and force a genuine smile.
  • When your spouse or child disappoints or aggravates you, stop, think, and then show a loving, mild, and lenient response. 
  • When facing incompetence, ignorance, or ineptness, prevent your mouth from criticism, your face from contempt, and your tone from sarcasm. 

Especially when you have an advantage and when others make mistakes of the head rather than the heart, call upon this part of the fruit of the Spirit. To do otherwise is to let the flesh reign (Gal. 5:19-21). Remember, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (24). 

Meek Like Jesus

How can we respond to a world that encourages us to lift ourselves up and put others down? To bristle when corrected or to justify and rationalize our actions rather than to listen and consider? As often is the case, we need to visit with Jesus.

Neal Pollard

Meek Like Jesus

Neal Pollard

We live in an age where we are not conditioned to take correction humbly. Instead, we can quickly become full of defensiveness and self-justification. We may even become indignant at the approach of someone, especially if we find ourselves in some way superior to them. It is also an age where humbling and lowering ourselves for the good and benefit of another is not particularly attractive, especially if it is not wallpapered on a social media platform. We may be quick to let others know our value and importance, but to praise and uphold someone else is undesirable. This can often lead us to be impatient with the perceived shortcomings of people that annoy us and put us out. How many do not know or have forgotten these words, that “pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth” God hates (Prov. 8:13).

In contrast, consider a statement Jesus makes about Himself and a similar statement Paul makes about Jesus. First, think about Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:29: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Look especially at the words “gentle” and “humble.” Gentle, quoting the NASB, is “meek” in the KJV. It is an adjective here, and Paul uses the noun form in 2 Corinthians 10:1. “It is a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness, not in weakness, but in power. It is a balance born in strength of character” (Zodhiates, WSNTDICT, np). This is one of the beatitudes Jesus calls on us to have (Mat. 5:5; 1 Pet. 3:4). He exhibits it Himself as He enters Jerusalem the last week of His life (Mat. 21:5). Both times it is used of disciples, it is either rewarded or highly esteemed by God. The noun form (gentleness/meekness) gives us a fuller understanding. It is a “gentleness of attitude and behavior, in contrast with harshness in one’s dealings with others” (Louw-Nida, 748).

The second word there in Matthew 11:28 is “humble,” which when used literally spoke of a person who was short in stature. It was the word for the lowly and the poor, one with no social standing. It speaks of insignificance. But, Jesus combines this word with gentle to say that this is how He saw Himself. Paul uses the same word in 2 Corinthians 10:1, when he says he is “meek” when face to face with those Christians.  He was unpretentious in behavior (TDNT). 

The last word, the one Paul uses in 2 Corinthians 10:1 along with Jesus’ word meek (gentle), is “gentleness.” The word suggests “the harmonious disposition of character and frame of mind…” that “becomes, in relation with neighbors, an accommodating attitude, a happy harmony” (Spicq and Ernest, TLNT, np). Consider this explanation of the word. Trench ties this word to God’s grace, retreating from strictness against sinful men, making allowances for our imperfect righteousness, and His refusal to exact extreme penalties when He has every right (cf. Synonyms, 155). It is gracious forbearance, granting clemency or pardon. Paul urged Corinth “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.”

Let’s put all this together. What Jesus possessed and demonstrated, what we are called to imitate, is a gentleness in attitude and action when dealing with others. This comes from not thinking too highly of ourselves and our talents, intelligence, and influence (Rom. 12:3,16). Out of this we cut people slack and give them the benefit of the doubt. If the perfect Son of God was characterized this way, I need to walk in His footsteps. This will help me when someone corrects me or if I need to correct someone else (2 Tim. 2:24). I look honestly at myself, knowing that I have strengths but I also have weaknesses–just like those I deal with each day. Gentle, humble, meek, and forbearing. That was Jesus. That should be me, too.