Gentleness of Christ
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The gentleness of Christ is a profound attribute that is consistently demonstrated throughout the New Testament. This characteristic is not merely a passive trait but an active expression of His love, compassion, and humility. The gentleness of Christ is a model for believers, illustrating how they are to interact with others and embody the teachings of the Gospel.

Biblical References

One of the most direct references to the gentleness of Christ is found in Matthew 11:29, where Jesus invites His followers, saying, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Here, Christ's gentleness is linked with humility and is presented as a source of rest and peace for those who follow Him.

In 2 Corinthians 10:1, the Apostle Paul appeals to the Corinthians "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ." This appeal underscores the importance of Christ's gentle nature as a guiding principle for Christian conduct and leadership. Paul uses Christ's gentleness as a standard for addressing conflicts and encouraging unity within the church.

The prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 42:3, which is fulfilled in Christ, also highlights His gentle nature: "A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; in faithfulness He will bring forth justice." This imagery conveys the tender care and patience of Christ, who nurtures and restores rather than crushes or extinguishes.

Christ's Ministry

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus exemplified gentleness in His interactions with individuals. In John 8:1-11, the account of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus demonstrates gentleness by refusing to condemn her, instead offering her grace and the opportunity for repentance. His response is both firm in upholding righteousness and gentle in extending mercy.

Similarly, in His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-26), Jesus engages her with respect and understanding, breaking social norms to reveal profound spiritual truths. His gentle approach opens her heart to the message of salvation, illustrating the transformative power of His kindness.

Teaching and Parables

Christ's teachings and parables often reflect His gentle nature. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus emphasizes compassion and mercy, encouraging His followers to act with kindness and care towards others, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries. This parable serves as a call to embody the gentleness of Christ in practical ways.

In Matthew 18:21-35, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus teaches about forgiveness, urging His disciples to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God. This teaching underscores the gentle and forgiving nature of Christ, who calls His followers to extend the same grace to others.

The Fruit of the Spirit

The gentleness of Christ is also reflected in the fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." As believers are transformed by the Holy Spirit, they are called to exhibit these qualities, with gentleness being a key aspect of Christlike character.

Application for Believers

Believers are encouraged to emulate the gentleness of Christ in their own lives. In Ephesians 4:2, Paul exhorts the church to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." This call to gentleness is integral to maintaining unity and fostering a spirit of love within the Christian community.

Furthermore, in 1 Peter 3:15, believers are instructed to defend their faith "with gentleness and respect," highlighting the importance of a gentle demeanor in witnessing and engaging with others about the hope found in Christ.

The gentleness of Christ is a defining attribute that permeates His life and teachings, offering a model for believers to follow as they seek to live out their faith in a manner that reflects His love and grace.
Nave's Topical Index
Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
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2 Corinthians 10:1
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
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Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.
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Greek
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... patience, kindness, goodness, (4102), 23 gentleness,. ... cannot produce faith ourselves,
nor can we "drum it up at will." Rather, faith comes as Christ speaks His ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k
Library

Impossible that Marcion's Christ Should Reprove the Faithless ...
... Samaritans. [4402] The heretic, too, may discover that this gentleness
of Christ was promised by the selfsame severest Judge. "He ...
/.../chapter xxiii impossible that marcions christ.htm

2 Cor. x. 1, 2
... Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in
your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxi 2 cor x.htm

Gentleness.
... Gentleness is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal.5: 22). If we have the
Spirit of Christ, we bear this fruit. "Well," says one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/gentleness.htm

May 1. "The Fruit of the Spirit is Gentleness" (Gal. v. 22).
... Beloved, let us receive and reflect the gentleness of Christ, the spirit of the
holy babe, until the world will say of us, as the polished and infidel ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /may 1 the fruit of.htm

The Servant's Inflexible Resolve
... with it. The gentleness of Christ is so obvious in His character that
little needs to be said to point it out. To the influence ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the servants inflexible resolve.htm

The Answer that Christ Looks not Only at the Action but Also at ...
... The answer that Christ looks not only at the action but also at the will. ... it proceeds,
you will see that the virtue of patience and gentleness cannot possibly ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxii the answer that.htm

That Gentleness must be Added to Severity, as is Shown in the Case ...
... That gentleness must be added to severity, as is shown in the case of St ... I forgive
also, for I also have forgiven for your sakes in the person of Christ, for we ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvii that gentleness must.htm

The Beast
... the saints. The "Lamb" calls attention to the gentleness of Christ; the
"Beast" tells of the ferocity of the Antichrist. The "Lamb ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/4 the beast.htm

June 21 Morning
... Christ. The meekness and gentleness of Christ."In lowliness of mind let
each esteem other better than themselves. Father, forgive ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/june 21 morning.htm

Women Adorned with Good Work
... 2. Woman, as the image of the weakness of God,' the meekness and gentleness of Christ,'
is to teach man the beauty and the power of the long-suffering, self ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xvii women adorned with good.htm

Resources
What is toxic masculinity? | GotQuestions.org

What is the fruit of the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.org

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is kindness? | GotQuestions.org

Gentleness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Gentleness

Gentleness of Christ

Gentleness of God

Gentleness of God of Paul

Gentleness: Exhortations To

Related Terms

Gentle (48 Occurrences)

Moderately (1 Occurrence)

Meekness (14 Occurrences)

Offence (27 Occurrences)

Offend (24 Occurrences)

Condescending (3 Occurrences)

Clemency (1 Occurrence)

Condescension (2 Occurrences)

Stoop (10 Occurrences)

Lamb (124 Occurrences)

Victory (71 Occurrences)

Shield (65 Occurrences)

Jehovah (20094 Occurrences)

Yahweh (6653 Occurrences)

Servant (738 Occurrences)

Humility (20 Occurrences)

Kind (290 Occurrences)

Upholds (12 Occurrences)

Urge (34 Occurrences)

Offenses (23 Occurrences)

Oppose (29 Occurrences)

Outspoken (3 Occurrences)

Jaw (6 Occurrences)

Jawbone (3 Occurrences)

Lowly (29 Occurrences)

Lays (30 Occurrences)

Gentlemen (1 Occurrence)

Gently (19 Occurrences)

Goodness (83 Occurrences)

Godliness (16 Occurrences)

Gentlewoman (1 Occurrence)

Imposing (8 Occurrences)

Fearlessly (10 Occurrences)

Flee (187 Occurrences)

Flesh (468 Occurrences)

Forbearance (9 Occurrences)

Timid (8 Occurrences)

Teeth (50 Occurrences)

Tempted (25 Occurrences)

Rod (138 Occurrences)

Rough (24 Occurrences)

Restore (122 Occurrences)

Ruler's (13 Occurrences)

Dealing (36 Occurrences)

Meek (23 Occurrences)

Personal (15 Occurrences)

Bold (21 Occurrences)

Correcting (2 Occurrences)

Crookedness (1 Occurrence)

Concisely (1 Occurrence)

Allayeth (1 Occurrence)

Aim (17 Occurrences)

Allays (1 Occurrence)

Allay

Absent (15 Occurrences)

Self-forgetfulness (1 Occurrence)

Self-control (14 Occurrences)

Steadfastness (15 Occurrences)

Soft (36 Occurrences)

Shun (14 Occurrences)

Sustains (11 Occurrences)

Caught (110 Occurrences)

Longsuffering (17 Occurrences)

Eli (36 Occurrences)

Repent (74 Occurrences)

Appearance (126 Occurrences)

Beseech (85 Occurrences)

Courage (74 Occurrences)

Aren't (102 Occurrences)

Cord (47 Occurrences)

Kindness (295 Occurrences)

Trespass (101 Occurrences)

Control (88 Occurrences)

Entreat (55 Occurrences)

Evident (26 Occurrences)

Hind (4 Occurrences)

Grant (87 Occurrences)

Perhaps (89 Occurrences)

Fault (42 Occurrences)

Gentleness in Teaching
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