Gentleness
Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love.
The Old Testament. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream (Isa 8:6) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth (So 7:9). It stands in contrast to baseness (Deuteronomy 28:54, 28:56), harshness (2 Sam 18:5), and wildness (Job 41:3). Gentle words wield great power (Prov 15:1 ; 25:15). Job’s counsels were well received, because he spoke them gently (Job 29:22). Gentleness evidences itself in a willingness to yield, reminiscent of a lamb being led to slaughter (Jer 11:19 ; cf. Isa 53:7). The supreme exemplar of gentleness is Israel’s God. He cares tenderly for the flock under his care, and “gently leads those that have young” (Isa 40:11). He discloses himself not just in wind and earthquake and fire, but in “a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:11-13). His consolations are spoken gently (Job 15:11). As Yahweh’s representative, the messianic king comes in humility and gentleness (Zec 9:9).
The New Testament. That king, now come in the flesh, is “gentle and humble in heart” (Matt 11:29). In accord with the prophecy, he enters Jerusalem in gentleness and lowliness (Matt 21:5). Paul appeals to believers “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Cor 10:1). By his Spirit, Christ cultivates the same quality in his people (Gal 5:23). Following Jesus’ example, Paul treats his people gently, “like a mother caring for her little children” (1 Thess 2:7). He comes to them not “with a whip [but] in love and with a gentle spirit” (1 Cor 4:21). Church leaders are admonished to be “not violent but gentle” toward persons under their care (1 Tim 3:3); it is a quality they are avidly to pursue (1 Tim 6:11). Knowing themselves to be subject to weakness, they can more readily deal gently with the ignorant and the erring. Believers ensnared by sin must be restored gently (Gal 6:1). A witness to Christian truth is the more effective for being made “with gentleness and respect, ” especially toward a hostile or an unbelieving listener (2 Tim 2:25 ; 1 Peter 3:15). The qualities to which gentleness is joined elucidate its setting and character. Wives should seek “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, ” exhorts Paul (Eph 4:2). Let believers clothe themselves “with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col 3:12). “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23), a cluster of qualities each of which reinforces and finds expression in the others.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/gentleness/
While meditating on Philippians 4, I was taken by the two instructions Paul gave: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.” The call to joy, with all the exclamation marks catches attention, and rightly so. But like the very nature of gentleness, the call to be noticed for gentleness is obscured by by the following verses on not responding with anxiety to anxious situations, but responding with prayer.
It seems clear to me that these remarks that follow the call to be disciples marked by gentleness are related. Let people see, notice, your gentleness because the Lord is near. You don’t have to, shouldn’t, be anxious about anything (the Lord is near!) but instead (calmly) pray.
Anxiety grips us and pushes us to act to deal with the problem. But our helplessness and powerlessness accentuates our anxiety and all our sharp edges come on full display. Gentleness is marked by calm, softness, confidence (but not arrogant). The gentle person acts rationally, deliberately and constructively. Gentleness brings peace that is only possible because it has found peace.
This is very instructive to me because I see in the Bible that God specifically identifies Himself as gentle. In that dramatic scene where He deals with Elijah’s despondence, God clearly tells him that He is a gentle whisper, not a shattering wind nor an earthquake that shakes the foundations.
Jesus, in his call to the weary and burdened to come to him describes himself as “gentle and humble in heart”. The rest of what he said is revealing: “… and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jesus is gentle and when we come to him we will find rest for our souls. In turn we become gentle and others will too find peace and rest, and ultimately find our source of peace and rest themselves.
Paul’s call to joy and gentleness is one and the same. They are the result of our nearness to our Lord. The Lord is near, but we gain the fruit of his nearness only when we draw near to him.