GENTLENESS

The Greek word for “gentleness” is “prautes”. It describes the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of self importance. “Prautes” is a quality of gentle friendliness, gentleness, meekness, as strength that accommodates to another’s weakness, consideration, restrained patience, patient trust in the midst of difficult circumstances.

“Prautes” denotes the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself, in particular in a patient submissiveness to offense, free from malice and desire for revenge; controlled strength; the ability to bear reproaches and slights without bitterness and resentment; the ability to provide a soothing influence on someone who is in a state of anger, bitterness and resentment against life; the word indicates an obedient submissiveness to God and His will, with unwavering faith and enduring patience displaying itself in a gently attitude and kind acts toward others, and this often in the face of opposition. It is the restrained and obedient powers of the personality brought into subjection to God’s will by the Holy Spirit. It is the opposite of arrogance. The word stands in contrast to the term orge, wrath, anger as a state of mind. It denotes the humble and gently attitude which expresses itself, in particular, in a patient submissiveness to offense, a freedom from malice and desire for revenge, mildness, patient trust in the midst of difficult circumstances.

C Norman Bartlett says that gentleness, or meekness, cannot be too strongly insisted upon that meekness is not weakness. It is strength held under control, power kept in reserve. Steam does the most work when it makes the least noise. Not a few of us need less noise and more poise. Things need not shatter to matter. There is more might in sunlight falling silently upon a small patch of earth that in the crashing thunder and flashing of lightning in a terrific storm. We do well to store up the capital of quietude against the day of need.

John Eadie writes that this Christian grace in universal in its operation, submission Godward, meekness manward, which seems to be it special reference.

William Barclay comments that gentleness is an attempt to translate the untranslatable word “prautes”. This is a great Greek word which has no precise English equivalent. Aristotle defined it as the mean between excessive anger and excessive angerlessness; it is the quality of the man whose feelings and emotions are under perfect control. Andronicus Rhodius, commenting on Aristotle, writes, “Prautes” is moderation in regard to anger. You might define “prautes” as serenity and the power, not be led away by emotion, but to control emotion as right reason dictates. The Platonic definitions say that “prautes” is the regulation of the movement of the soul cause by anger. It is the temperament of a soul in which everything is mixed with the right proportions. No one can ever find one English word to translate what is a one-word summary of the truly teachable spirit. The teachable spirit is docile and tractable, and therefore humble enough to learn. The teachable spirit is without resentment and without anger and is, therefore, able to face the truth, even when it hurts and condemns. The teachable spirit is not blinded by its own overmastering prejudices but is clear eye to the truth. The teachable spirit is not seduced by laziness but is so self controlled that it can willingly and faithfully accept the discipline of learning. “Prautes” describes the perfect conquest and control of everything in a man’s nature which would be a hindrance to his seeing learning and obey the truth.

Barclay adds that “prautes” describes the man whose temper is always under control. He knows when to be angry and when not to be angry. He patiently bears wrongs done to himself but is every chivalrously ready to spring to the help of others who are wronged.

Barclay says the best illustration of “prautes” is the watchdog who is bravely hostile to strangers and gently friendly with familiars whom he knows and loves.

Thomas Constable in his note on “prautes” adds that the Greek word occurs in non-biblical literature to describe a horse that someone has broken and had trained to submit to a bridle. It pictures strength under control, specifically the Holy Spirit’s control. The evidence of this attitude is a deliberate placing of oneself under divine authority. The only way to control the tongue is to place one’s mind deliberately under the authority of God and let Him control it.

Ray Stedman describes meekness as “strength under control” adding that it is real strength, but it does not have to display itself of show off how strong it is. This what our Lord beautifully displayed. He described Himself as “meek and lowly in heart.” The first curriculum of the Holy Spirit is that we must do what Jesus said, “take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.”

Trench adds that “prautes” is closely linked with humility, and follows upon it because it is only the humble in heart which is also the meek; and which, as such, does not fight against God, and more or less struggle and contend with Him. This meekness, however, being first of all meekness before God, is also such in the face of me, even of evil me, out of a sense that these with the insults and injuries which they may inflict, are permitted and employed by Him for the chastening and purifying of His elect. This was the root of David’s meekness when Shemei cursed and flung stones at him, the consideration that the lord had bidden him (2 Samuel 16:11), that it was just for him to suffer these things, however unjustly the other might inflict them; and out of like convictions all true Christian meekness must spring. He that is meek will know himself a sinner among sinners, and this knowledge of his own sin will teach him to endure meekly the provocations with which they may provoke him, and not withdraw himself from the burdens which their sin may impose.

F. B. Meyer writes that it is not easy to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit because it has many counterfeits. Some people are naturally easy going, devoid of energy and ambition, at heart cowardly, or in spirit mean. Many of us are characterized by a moral weakness and decrepitude that make it easy for us to yield rather than contest in the physical or intellectual arena.

But in gentleness there must be the consciousness of a considerable reserve of force. The greatness of God is combined with omnipotence. The movement of creation, in which where is neither voice nor language, proves the infinite forces which are at work. When a boy is trying to lift or carry a heave beam, as likely as not there will be a great crash when he reached the end of his task, and puts in on the ground. His strength is so nearly exhausted that he is only too glad to get rid of his burden, anyhow, and at any cost. But if a strong man shoulders the same burden, and carries it for the same distance, he put it down gently, because he has not taxed his strength and has plenty left.

It is the prerogative of great strength to be gentle. Always remember that are linked with the Infinite God, and all things are possible to you. There must be infinite pity. We must be tolerant and pitiful to those who abuse us, or have been embittered by disappointment, or have been ill-used. It must also be our aim to make allowances for such, and always to be sweetly reasonable towards any brusqueness, rudeness and bad manner of their behavior. Let us be willing to admit that much is due to congenital moroseness. Therefore, we bear gently with the erring and with those who are out of the way, because we also are encompassed with infirmity.

It is necessary also that there should be a deep humility. Thomas a Kempis says, “If thou will be borne with, bear also with another. Endeavor to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, what sort soever they be; for that thyself also hast many failings which must be borne by others.” Our resentment against others should always be tempered by our remembrance of our own sins. So shall we be God’s own gentlefolk.

How Gentle Are You?

A pastor writes that during my years as a pastor, I encountered many Christians who were anything but gentle. They have no patience for fellow believers with character flaws or who were involved in sinful practices. They also showed little or no kindness toward unbelievers. The thought that gospel messages should always include dire warnings of the torments of hell.

Recently I heard about a company that had decided to open their stores on Sunday. Because they were located in an area with many churches, the corporation received scores of condemning letters from angry Christians. Some even said they were glad there was an eternal hell for those who had made this decision. Christian and non-Christian employees were offended and embarrassed. Lack of gentleness had harmed Christ’s cause.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were quick to judge and lacked gentleness. They criticized Jesus because He ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 11:19). They were shocked because He showed concern for those people instead of harshly condemning them. He didn’t approve of what they did, but He saw them as sinners created in God’s image whom He had come to serve.

Let’s follow Christ’s example.

“O to be like Him, tender and kind,

Gentle in spirit, lowly in mind;

More like Jesus, day after day,

Filled with His Spirit, now and always.” Ellsworth

NOTHING IS SO STRONG AS GENTLENESS, NOTTHING SO GENTLE AS REAL STRENGTH. Francis de Sales

A Gentle Witness

We as followers of Christ can be tolerant of people of diverse religious beliefs without compromising our Christian convictions.

When the Apostle Paul can to Athens, he was distressed by the idolatry he saw. Yet he spoke respectfully to this pagan audience, even affirming the words of some of their poets. He didn’t denounce his hearers, nor criticize their beliefs, but began by declaring truths they would not find offensive. He spoke of God’s greatness as our Creator. He said that God is actively involved with mankind so that people might seek Him and find Him.

Paul didn’t compromise the truth. He showed the folly of worshiping idols and boldly declared that God commanded people everywhere to repent. He further stated that God had appointed a Man to judge the world and proved this by raising Him from the dead.

In global society we will come in contact with more and more people of different religious beliefs and practices. Our witness will be most effective when we avoid quarrels and arguments, and share our faith with respect, kindness, and gentleness. The Holy Spirit will bring conviction and enlightenment as people see the truth lived out in us.

“O Lord, transform my stubborn heart,

And help me always see,

That gently, kind and courteous

Is what I ought to be. Anon

A KIND WITNESS IS THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS