Paul said, “Let your gentleness be known to all.” (Philippians 4:5)
Think about that for a moment. And think about the many things he didn’t say. Such as:
Let your opinions be known to all.
Let your accomplishments be known to all.
Let your random irritations be known to all.
These might be our favorites, but apparently gentleness matters more.
What is gentleness?
The Greek word Paul uses here is epieikēs. Classical Greek describes it as someone who is fair-minded and flexible. In the New Testament, it often carries the tone of humility, of one who is reasonable and considerate.
Paul even uses it to describe Jesus in 2 Corinthians 10, appealing to his readers by the “meekness and gentleness of Christ.”
It would be wrong to mistake this gentleness for passivity, or to consider it the opposite of strength. In the kingdom of God, these two qualities — strength and gentleness — walk side by side.
In the pursuit of proving our point, standing our ground, or getting our way, gentleness can be easy to overlook. Yet Scripture keeps coming back to it. It’s a characteristic of Christ. It’s a fruit of the Spirit. It’s the standard of leadership.
So today, as you seek to make your mark, let your gentleness be known to all.
