The word for this week is "gentle". There are two different Greek words translated gentle in the New Testament. The first is found in 2 Timothy 2:24-26:
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. KJV
This is the Greek word "epios". Strong's Concordance says: affable, i.e. mild or kind. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: mild, gentle, was frequently used by Greek writers as characterizing a nurse with trying children or a teacher with refractory (obstinately resistant to authority or control) scholars, or parents toward their children. This is instructing those who teach the Word of God to treat unbelievers and believers who don't yet know and understand the Word of God with great patience, as you would your own child. Here are these verses from the Amplified Bible:
24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. 25 He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it], 26 And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will. AMP
We all started out knowing nothing about the Word and someone had to patiently teach and train us. We are to have the same patience with others! Having young children is great practice for patience! I have seen you and Kristine with your daughters and I know that you are excellent at this! The next word is found in James 3:17:
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. KJV
This is the Greek word "epiekes". Strong's Concordance says: Appropriate, i.e. mild. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: seemly, suitable, equitable, fair, mild, gentle. The Theological Dictionary says: what is right or fitting; what is serviceable; equable, moderate, reasonable, gentle. Realizing that the Word that we see and hear, and what the Holy Spirit is telling us about it, is appropriate for our lives and right and fitting for each situation should help us to be quicker to obey that Word, even when it appears to be hard to do! The end results are ALWAYS worth it! THIS "Father" (God) really DOES know best! Here is a really old worship song by Hillsong called "I Live To Know You":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
