The indwelling Holy Spirit (a condition true only of genuine Christians) seeks to produce in us the grace (spiritual trait) of “gentleness.”
As in: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, GENTLENESS, goodness, faith …” Galatians 5:22, plus two more to come, “meekness and temperance.”
In Greek “gentleness” is “chrestotes.”
A noun which is only found 10 times in the New Testament, always in Paul’s writings/letters!
It is variously translated (in the King James Version) as “goodness” 4 times, and “kindness” 4 more times and then simply “good” 1 time. Plus our Text here , where it is rendered as “gentleness,” but just this once!
In Romans 2:4 we are succinctly told that “The GOODNESS of God leadeth to repentance.” That’s our word, chrestotes! This is the first time it occurs in the New Testament.
Apparently, based on Romans 3:12, this “gentleness/goodness” is a “rare find” in mankind, in humanity! “There is none that doeth GOOD, no, not one.”
Wow!
Ephesians 2:7 teaches me (informs me) that God’s “gentleness/kindness” is eternal! (So growing this kind of “fruit” in our lives is, in a way, just becoming more like our God in Heaven!)
And Titus 3:4 declares that Jesus is the very “epitome” of this “kindness!” When Jesus came to earth … “kindness” came as well!
But when our noun “kindness” become an adjective, then being spelled “chrestos,” Bible writers other than Paul employ it. Peter does, for example: “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is GRACIOUS.” 1 Peter 2:3, but the very same truths are still being emphasized.
I guess you could summarize “gentleness” this way, based on the foregoing Scripture. Treating others the same way God has treated you!
In the Greek Old Testament, God’s very judgments are even declared to be “gentle” or “kind!” In Psalm 119:39 this is so. Where the Psalmist begs: “Turn away my reproach which I fear: for Thy judgments are good (chrestos).” Wow, what a prayer!
Yes, “gentleness” is bringing one of God’s most prominent attributes into our hearts and sharing it with others, from family to friends and ultimately (whenever possible) to everyone!
One Greek scholar, from many years ago, always defined our word as: “The inability to be harsh!” I guess I will never forget that “catchy” little line.
Yes, the Holy Spirit is then the Spirit of “kindness!”
And may He so endow us!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
One more quick instance please. When Jesus taught: “My yoke is EASY and My burden is light,” (Matthew 11:30) our King James translators chose “chrestos” for the English adjective “easy!”
A GENTLE Saviour, indeed!