First Thessalonians 2:3-8: Qualities of Paul's Ministry Pt. 2

Yesterday, we looked at part one of the qualities of Paul’s ministry in his apostolic defense. We highlighted that Paul came with a desire to please God and not man, and with humility. Today we continue this mini-series, camping out on just one quality.

With Gentleness

⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

If you’ve had the picture of Paul as an ivory tower theologian who writes theological treatises and remains distant from the people, this should help you see him in a different light. He likens himself to a nursing mother.

Anyone who has held a newborn feels their fragility. As you hold the child, you are trying to make them as comfortable as possible, not only to keep them from crying, but because you don’t want to hurt them and you want them to know they are safe and loved. And you can see the mother’s gentleness in her willingness to provide for her child’s every need at her own expense.

Paul was soft and slow with the Thessalonians. He wanted them to feel loved and know that it is their good he is after. Also, as we have already seen, he demonstrated to them his willingness to provide for them at his own expense.

I want to do something a little bit different today in this devotion. I want us to look at how prevalent the the concept of gentleness is in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament. My hope is that we grow in our desire to be gentle with each other. But first a definition.

A quick internet search defines gentle as, “having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character; not harsh or severe.” The words that stand out to me here are kind and tender. You can see why the picture of a nursing mother fits the word for gentle so well. Opposite that is harsh or severe. Could you imagine a mother being harsh with her newborn?

So now, let’s look at gentle and gentleness throughout the NT. I’m simply going to list these and then give some summary comments at the end.

Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

Gentleness comes from above: But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)

Gentleness is something we are to pursue: But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. (1 Tim 6:11)

Gentleness is a qualification for leadership in the Church: Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. (1 Tim 3:2-3)

With gentleness, we correct and restore brothers and sisters: Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. (Gal 6:1)

With gentleness, we defend our faith: But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Pet 3:15-16)

As you can see, gentleness is a gift from God that we are to pursue, which is to be manifested in our words and actions. Perhaps one way to help us consider what gentleness looks and sounds like is to remember Paul’s illustration: a nursing mother. What if we sought to treat everyone else like newborn children? How would that shape our interactions?

Some of us perhaps are by nature more gentle than others for various reasons. We could say that, for some, it’s easier to be gentle because of their personality or history, but it is not good enough for us to make the excuse, “Well, I’m just not a gentle person.” What we need to recognize is that lack of gentleness is lack of Christ-like-ness, and when we see gentleness lacking in us, it should cause us to lament, repent and ask the Lord to grant it to us.

May the Lord grant his gift of gentleness in a greater measure to each of us.

Anticipating the conclusion to this mini-series, let this song remind you of who Christ is and how he is gentle with you.