Lexical Summary épios: Gentle, kind Original Word: ἤπιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gentle. Probably from epos; properly, affable, i.e. Mild or kind -- gentle. see GREEK epos HELPS Word-studies 2261 ḗpios (an adjective derived from 2031 /épos, "to speak," J. Thayer) – properly, gentle (affable, mild), referring to calming words that bring God's order to a situation. 2261 (ḗpios) is used only in 2 Tim 2:24. 2261 /ḗpios ("gentle faith-speaking") happens as we yield to God – i.e. are committed to handling matters according to His preferred-will (2307 /thélēma). It describes the believer acting even-handedly, avoiding unnecessary harshness or excess by speaking into a situation that God reveals. Demonstrating such a congenial disposition means forthrightly speaking God's Word into people's lives as He reveals it through faith. Accordingly, 2261 (ḗpios) and faith (4102 /pístis) are directly connected in the NT (see 2 Tim 2:22-24). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition gentle, mild NASB Translation gentle (1), kind (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2261: ἤπιοςἤπιος, ἠπια, ἤπιον, rarely of two terminations, (apparently derived from ἔπος, εἰπεῖν, so that it properly means affable (so Etym. Magn. 434, 20; but cf. Vanicek, p. 32)); from Homer down; mild, gentle: 1 Thessalonians 2:7 (where L WH νήπιος, which see at the end); πρός τινα, 2 Timothy 2:24. Topical Lexicon Textual Focus: 2 Timothy 2:24 “And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.” The single New Testament occurrence of ἤπιον underscores the pastoral mandate Paul delivers to Timothy: ministry that is untainted by contentiousness and distinguished by a gentle, patient spirit. Gentleness in Apostolic Ministry • Mode of instruction – Paul links gentleness with the ability to teach. Sound doctrine is preserved not only by accuracy but by a demeanor that invites reception (compare Titus 1:9). Rooted in the Character of God Psalm 18:35: “Your gentleness exalts me.” God’s own condescension supplies the pattern: He stoops in kindness to lift the humble, a theme echoed in Isaiah 40:11 and Hosea 11:4. The gentleness required of leaders flows from God’s treatment of His people. Manifested in Christ Matthew 11:29: “I am gentle and humble in heart.” Jesus embodies the virtue Paul commends. His triumphal entry on a colt (Matthew 21:5; Zechariah 9:9) displays power restrained in meekness, providing the definitive template for Christian leadership (1 Peter 2:21–23). Empowered by the Spirit Galatians 5:22–23 lists gentleness among the fruit of the Spirit. What Paul commands in 2 Timothy 2:24 is ultimately Spirit-produced, guarding the church from both authoritarianism and passivity. Broader Scriptural Web • Interpersonal restoration – Galatians 6:1 instructs those who are spiritual to restore the fallen “in a spirit of gentleness,” safeguarding against pride. Historical and Cultural Setting In Greco-Roman ethics, mildness (praotēs, epieikeia) was prized yet rarely practiced in power structures. Paul reorients the ideal around the crucified and risen Christ, making gentleness not a social concession but a divine imperative. Within the first-century house-church, where personal conflicts could fracture fellowship, gentleness served as social glue. Practices for Today’s Church 1. Instructional tone – Teaching that marries conviction with warmth preserves truth without alienating hearers. Summary Strong’s Greek 2261 signals more than kindness; it encapsulates the Christlike strength that refuses to advance truth by force. In 2 Timothy 2:24 Paul crystallizes the principle: the Lord’s servant, whether in first-century Ephesus or the modern congregation, wields gentleness as a powerful instrument for teaching, correction, and witness, perpetuating the gracious character of the God who saves. Forms and Transliterations ήπιοι ηπιον ἤπιον ήτιον epion ēpion ḗpionLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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