Calvary Road Baptist Church
“GENTLENESS”
In Galatians 5.22-23, the Apostle Paul lists a group of character and personality traits that he refers to as “the fruit of the Spirit.” Often these personality and character traits are individually termed fruit of the Spirit and collectively termed the fruits of the Spirit.
Taken by themselves, these discreet personality and character traits should not be considered fruits of the Spirit. However, a quick look at the Greek word translated fruit reveals an interesting fact. The word fruit, karpá½¹s, is singular.
Instead, it must be recognized that these traits combined are the fruit of the Spirit, taken collectively. Imagine an orange. If you’ve ever peeled an orange and eaten a wedge at a time, you can understand how a single wedge does not the fruit called orange make. All the wedges taken together comprise a fruit called an orange. The wedge of fruit that we are examining is “gentleness,” chrestotes. Some interesting observations can be made about the word that Paul uses here.
First, observe that only the Apostle Paul uses this particular word in his writings throughout the New Testament. Though other writers use a word that differs only slightly from our word, the difference of only a single letter makes a different word. Amen?
Next, the word “gentleness,” chrestotes, is used only nine times in seven New Testament verses.
Finally, the word does not mean what most Christians think the word means in the Bible. Whereas most people believe that gentleness has to do with softness, softness is not a necessary attribute of the Greek word translated gentleness.
The aspect of gentleness that most closely agrees with its meaning in the Bible is this: Gentleness is kindness useful to meet the need. It is practical beneficence that supplies the need. Commenting on this word, one man said, “It’s one thing to have a kind attitude. It’s quite another thing to do something that helps.” The second comment describes a person who possesses our character trait called gentleness.
Looking for a Biblical example of the concept of gentleness, one might suggest the example of Boaz, who instructed his young field harvesters to intentionally drop grain in the path of the Moabitess Ruth so that she might more easily gather food for herself and her mother-in-law. When giving his instructions, Boaz showed gentleness.[1]
You might also remember Christ’s lesson on loving your neighbor, in which He told the story of the good Samaritan who met the needs of the man who had been beaten by thieves and robbed. When the Samaritan bound up the injured man’s wounds, when the Samaritan took him to an inn, and when the Samaritan paid for his room and board while he mended, in each of those acts of meeting the man’s needs, the Samaritan demonstrated gentleness.[2]
So, with a proper understanding of gentleness under our belt and with some illustrations of the concept to ensure our understanding, let’s look at the gentleness of God, the gentleness of man, and the gentleness of God in man.
First, THE GENTLENESS OF GOD
As we deal with each of these main points, I want to take the same approach. We will examine the facts, both Biblical and observable, after which we will interpret, and then we will make an application.
We begin with facts concerning the gentleness of God. Since we already know the basic meaning of the word Paul uses, let’s examine passages in which the word is used:
Romans 2.4:
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
The first instance we find the English word goodness is our Greek word chrestotes, gentleness.
Romans 11.22:
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
Here our word is found three times.
Ephesians 2.7:
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
The word is translated as kindness in this verse.
Titus 3.4:
“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.”
Our word, chrestotes translated “goodness” in Paul’s Roman letter, is translated “kindness” in his letters to the Ephesian Church and Titus. Again, the word is translated as kindness. Why the difference? I do not know. However, observe that in each of the four passages, God responds to meet the need by providing useful help. Useful help is key to a proper understanding of gentleness.
Next, interpreting the gentleness of God.
Romans 2.4:
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Remembering that “goodness” refers to providing useful help, the last phrase of this verse indicates that repentance, which is inseparable from real conversion, is something which the lost man is led to by the word translated in this verse “goodness” of God.
Romans 11.22:
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
Speaking to primarily Gentile believers about God’s offer of saving help to the nation of Israel and His subsequent severity when they rejected His help, Paul points out that the same principle applies to the Gentiles; accept God’s help or face God’s severity.
Ephesians 2.7:
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
Here Paul is writing from a Roman prison to the Ephesian Christians, telling them about their glorious salvation. Explaining some significant facts about their salvation experience, Paul informs them in verse 7 that God’s “kindness,” God’s usefulness to them in meeting their need that they might be saved, is “through Christ Jesus.”
Titus 3.4-7:
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Notice how Paul goes on about the “kindness” of God toward man and how closely linked to God’s love it is. It was the “kindness” of God. It was the “gentleness” of God that procured our salvation for us. Love may have motivated Him to save us, but the real practical help that met our spiritual need for salvation was a manifestation of God’s gentleness.
Now let’s make an application concerning the gentleness of God. Consider Christ’s famous parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10.30-37:
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Focusing on the single concept of the Samaritan meeting the need of the injured and helpless man practically, we have a great example of “gentleness.” I might draw a parallel to make an application. The lost man, dead in his trespasses and sins, totally helpless, lay beside the road, having been ravaged by sin. He is stripped and naked before God. Those who represent the Law and works righteousness pass by on the other side, unable to do the sinner any good. But God in Christ comes along the way, shows a kindness that is useful to meet the need, gentleness, and delivers the sinner. Why does God do this? The adjective form of our word “gentleness” is found in Luke 6.35 and First Peter 2.3, where we read,
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
and
“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
Recognizing “gentleness” as the word “kind” and “gracious” in these two verses, we see that God does what He does because that’s just the way He is. He meets the needs of those in need, even though we do not deserve it.
Next, THE GENTLENESS OF MAN
Turn now to facts concerning the gentleness of Man. Media preachers and teachers say much about the essential goodness of the human race and how wonderful we are. But I find something very interesting amidst all the high-sounding words about how great we are. I find that there is only one verse in the entire Bible in which our word, translated as “gentleness,” is used to describe human beings. I direct you to Romans 3.12, where we see God’s commentary on the “gentleness,” the “goodness” if you will, of mankind:
“They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
Our Greek word is here translated as “doeth good.” “But pastor, there must be some mistake! If “gentleness” is the meeting of needs practically, what about when Jerry Lewis used to conduct his annual telethon for multiple sclerosis? What about the March of Dimes? What about Green Peace? What about Amnesty International?” The Bible facts concerning the “goodness” of man, the “gentleness” of man, is forthrightly stated in Romans 3.12. If the observable “facts” seem to conflict with the declaration of Scripture, then some careful interpretation is needed. Would you not agree? But before we interpret the facts concerning humanity’s useful meeting of needs, let’s recall some other vital facts:
#1 Since Scripture is God-breathed, according to Second Timothy 3.16, and since the Word of God is “perfect, converting the soul,” Psalm 19.7, any conflict that arises must be settled in favor of the Bible. Correct?
#2 Since this is an important issue; other Scripture should be consulted to make sure there is no error. Also true?
Other Scriptures to consider are:
Jeremiah 17.9:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
This verse suggests human beings are unwilling to be gentle, being desperately wicked.
Romans 5.6:
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
This verse suggests an inability to be gentle if gentleness refers to the helpful meeting of others’ needs.
Next, interpreting the gentleness of Man. There is really very little to interpret when you think about it. Since there is no portion of the Word of God that, when rightly understood, conflicts with any other part of the Word of God, the issue is settled. Considering the context, Paul was writing to Christians in Romans and describing the condition of unsaved men. Paul made some sweeping Holy Spirit-inspired statements in that description of Christ-rejecting men. In the middle of those sweeping and general comments about the condition of all unsaved people, Paul writes that “there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” That is, there is no single human being who renders useful and helpful aid to his or her fellow man to meet a fellow human being’s actual need.
When you consider that all of this is written about the spiritual condition of humanity, you must admit that Paul has dropped a bomb. Because of the heart condition of every person, as described in Jeremiah, and because of the spiritual weakness of every person, as described in Romans 5.6, members of the human race not only do not want to meet the spiritual need of their fellows but would be unable to meet the spiritual needs of their fellows if they did want to help. Using the terminology of Galatians 5.22, unsaved people do not want to be gentle, and if any wanted to be gentle, they would be unable to be gentle. There is a theological term that encompasses this truth about our species. It’s called depravity. We are depraved ... an absolute zero in the spiritual realm.
Now let us make an application concerning the gentleness of Man. It is essential to understand what we’re talking about. Paul indicates that “none doeth good, no, not one,” but he does not mean that no one ever tries to do good. He points out that no one ever actually succeeds in doing good in the spiritual realm. Let me give you an example: Let’s say you are depressed about the failure of your marriage. You want help, so you go to a marriage counselor for advice. The counselor gives you direction. “Do this. Do that.” Will such advice help you? Not if the problem in your marriage is spiritual. Not if the problem in your marriage is a sin problem. Why not? Because unsaved people do not do “good.” They are unable to provide timely and valuable help concerning spiritual things.
Finally, THE GENTLENESS OF GOD IN MAN
We’ve seen that God is gentle. That is, He does respond to our race’s needs and meets our needs. His love for humanity motivates Him, but His gentleness accomplishes the meeting of our need for salvation. We then considered unregenerate people as unable to be helpful in the spiritual realm, helpful to ourselves or others. Now, we examine the case of the believer in Christ, those about whom it can be reported that “God is in you of a truth.”
What are the facts concerning the gentleness of God in Man? Since God has the characteristic, the attribute, of gentleness and we do not have the characteristic of gentleness, what happens when God, Who has gentleness, who is gentle, indwells a person, who has not gentleness and is not gentle? Consider some pertinent verses:
Second Corinthians 6.6-7:
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.
Galatians 5.22:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.”
Colossians 3.12:
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”
Having seen that there does not exist a single human being who demonstrates “gentleness” or is capable of providing useful help in the spiritual arena, we now read of a man who describes his ministry as one in which “kindness,” read “gentleness” here, was an earmark. This is the same man who penned words so categorically denying the “kindness” of mankind. The difference in this man’s life from all other lives? “...by kindness, by the Holy Ghost....” The difference was the ministry of the Holy Spirit of God in his life.
Again, Galatians 5.22:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.”
Observe that which makes the difference, which produces “gentleness” in a believer’s life. It’s the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only here, Paul refers not to himself alone but all believers. Anyone who the Holy Spirit indwells will come to exhibit “gentleness.”
Colossians 3.12:
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”
This verse reveals that the elect of God is literally to “put on,” among other things, this characteristic and trait called “kindness.”
Romans 6.19:
“I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”
Notice that Paul, writing to believers about the behavior of Christians, indicates that even after a person has come to know Christ as personal Lord and Savior, there is still no capacity to function in the spiritual realm. Those are the facts related to the “gentleness” of God in man.
Next, interpreting the gentleness of God in Man. Suppose we observe that “gentleness” is found in the life of a person indwelt by the Spirit of God, and we find that the same spiritual impotency possessed by unsaved people is also possessed by saved people. In that case, there can be only one way to understand the appearance of this thing called “gentleness” in the life of a Christian. Simple as it may sound, what I am about to say is of such a profound nature that many Christians have never grappled with the implications of what I am about to say: Only the Holy Spirit of God can produce that character trait and attribute of personality called “gentleness.” That means, if you ever expect to be a person who is used of God to provide help to others in the spiritual arena, if you ever expect to bear spiritual fruit, if you ever expect to find and develop your spiritual gifts to minister to others, if you ever expect to live a life that is used and usable by the Holy Spirit, you must submit to the Spirit of God.
Now, let’s make an application concerning the gentleness of God in Man. Remember that marriage counselor the brokenhearted husband went to because his wife left him? Remember the conclusion we came to, based upon what the Bible said, that the counselor would not be able to help him resolve a sin or spiritual problem? What about that same brokenhearted man going to a friend of his at work who happens to be a Christian? When he explained his problem to his Christian friend, the Holy Spirit used that believer to minister to the man’s need. As the Christian is used by the Holy Spirit, the first need to be met will be the troubled man’s need of Christ. Once the man comes to know Christ, the Holy Spirit will minister to the new Christian’s other needs one step at a time. Was the believer exhibiting “gentleness” in providing a useful solution to the man’s spiritual problem? Sure, he was. But was it the believer? Not really. He was just a tool. What was demonstrated was actually the “gentleness” of God in that man.
Understanding this thing called “gentleness” is quite simple for the child of God who realizes that it has to do with meeting needs in a practical way. There are lots of unsaved folks who will help you work on your car, or roof your house, or watch your kids while you run to the store. That’s nice, and Christians ought to be tops at doing that kind of stuff, but that stuff doesn’t help Hell-bound people get heaven bound.
There is nothing that can ever happen that will render any of us really “gentle” to the meeting of other’s spiritual needs on our own. But there is something that can happen that makes it possible for God to meet others’ needs through us.
What does it take? First, you have to be born again. You have to have the Holy Spirit in your life, so He can work in your life to be a blessing to others. Second, there mustn’t be rebellion in your life. A believer is hardly usable in the meeting of others’ needs when he is interfering with the Holy Spirit’s work to meet his own spiritual needs. Amen?
Are you saved? If not, yield to the wooing of the Holy Spirit. Respond to the Gospel command to come to Christ. If you are saved, you need to be baptized, join a Church, and present yourself to God to be used to minister to others and provide useful help to others.
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[1] Ruth 2.8, 15-16
[2] Luke 10.33-35
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