A YEAR-WORTHY WORD

Once again I have attached the word for a character quality to the bottom of my computer screen as a reminder of a personal, spiritual goal. While I have tried in past years (and decades) to focus on being gentle in times of stress and personal attacks, it just felt “right” to again have that reminder of a godly trait.

So, “gentle.” The verse I hang on it is Philippians 4:5 (NIV): “Let your gentleness be known to all.” In the original Greek, what's rendered “gentleness” in the NIV-English translation is epieikes. It has these shades of meaning: forbearance, moderation, sweet reasonableness, willingness to give up one's own way.

Knowing the circumstances under which Philippians was written helps deepen the impact of “gentleness.” The apostle Paul had founded this church (in a city located between today's Greece and the Black Sea) during his second missionary journey about AD 50. He baptized a few believers there, revisiting the congregation twice within the next few years. Then he was arrested and imprisoned in Rome. Despite his dire circumstances, he kept that church close to his pastor's heart. The letter remembered their love and help to him. But he was also worried about false teachers contaminating their faith with heresies. He probably knew how easily divisions reared their heads in young fellowships.

Putting the historical setting on Philippians helps me apply its truths to everyday life. Like the First Century believers, we're just as vulnerable to pride and stubbornness. That's true in church life as well as our private lives (which, of course, spill over into church life). Interestingly, Paul's admonition to seek “gentleness” (v. 5) came right after his plea to two church women, Euodia and Syntyche, to try to get along. We're not told what their rift was about, but it bothered Paul enough to add it to his letter of admonitions.

I've endured situations where people who claim the name of Christ could slip into the shoes of Euodia and Syntyche. Somehow, what we call “the flesh” (typically unbelief, pride and stubbornness) erode what could be healthy, nurturing relationships. My mental picture of this is a spoiled child (or adult), arms crossed, mouth pouty, declaring, “I'll do it my way and leave me alone!” Typically, “my way” is not “Christ's way.”

Unable to deal with this in person, Paul asked someone in the congregation to help these women return to a peaceful, Christ-focused relationship. I sometimes wonder what the end of that story was. Whatever it was, the lesson for me continues: practice gentleness. Even when criticized and demeaned unfairly, be gentle. Pray for that person. Let God be at work.