Meekness and Gentleness of Christ
True Strength Looks a Lot Like Gentleness
SCRIPTURE:
2 Corinthians 10:1 NKJV - Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
OBSERVATION:
2 Corinthians 10:1 NKJV - Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
OBSERVATION:
Paul’s humility and complete reliance on the power of God instead of the power of his own personality, coupled with his strong letters, were being used against him. They said Paul was like a dog that barks like crazy at a safe distance, but is a coward when confronted face to face. – David Guzik.
2 Corinthians 10:10 NKJV – “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”
What the Corinthians had neglected to see was a changed man. They had either forgotten or not known of Paul, formerly known as Saul, the great persecutor of the Church. He was a very powerful and influential man who was taught by the greatest of Rabbis and excelled them all. It was believed that Gamaliel (his teacher) said, “he could not teach him anything else.” Paul was such a voracious reader that he read everything and studied until he said, “He was a Pharisee of Pharisees.”
What the Corinthians had seen was the changed Paul, the Paul who took on the same character and nature of Jesus, the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
Would you say of Jesus what the Corinthians said of Paul? No!
What the Corinthians had neglected to see was a changed man. They had either forgotten or not known of Paul, formerly known as Saul, the great persecutor of the Church. He was a very powerful and influential man who was taught by the greatest of Rabbis and excelled them all. It was believed that Gamaliel (his teacher) said, “he could not teach him anything else.” Paul was such a voracious reader that he read everything and studied until he said, “He was a Pharisee of Pharisees.”
What the Corinthians had seen was the changed Paul, the Paul who took on the same character and nature of Jesus, the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
Would you say of Jesus what the Corinthians said of Paul? No!
Those who can’t see that boldness and lowliness can be found in the same person don’t know the life of Jesus very well. – David Guzik.
Let’s take a moment to define the two words used to describe Jesus.
Meekness – Not to be confused with weakness. In its truest form, it means strength or power under control, humility, and gentleness.
Gentleness - A humble, meek, and compassionate attitude, marked by kindness, patience, and a willingness to yield rather than assert oneself.
Certainly, we see Jesus in these definitions, and we can see (for those who know Paul) Paul in this way. The Corinthians were only interested in those who came with power, displayed great wisdom, and spoke with excellence. Yet this is the opposite of what Paul was, for he took the form of a servant.
Romans 1:1 NKJV - Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.
APPLICATION:
At the end of this chapter, Paul would say that he did not need the Corinthians’ commendation, for he had God’s. He would continue to live his life in the same manner as Jesus, in the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
For you and me today, let us adopt the same characteristics of Jesus. Let us be like Paul, who became a servant and served others with humility of heart and attitude.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV - Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.
Meekness – Not to be confused with weakness. In its truest form, it means strength or power under control, humility, and gentleness.
Gentleness - A humble, meek, and compassionate attitude, marked by kindness, patience, and a willingness to yield rather than assert oneself.
Certainly, we see Jesus in these definitions, and we can see (for those who know Paul) Paul in this way. The Corinthians were only interested in those who came with power, displayed great wisdom, and spoke with excellence. Yet this is the opposite of what Paul was, for he took the form of a servant.
Romans 1:1 NKJV - Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.
APPLICATION:
At the end of this chapter, Paul would say that he did not need the Corinthians’ commendation, for he had God’s. He would continue to live his life in the same manner as Jesus, in the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
For you and me today, let us adopt the same characteristics of Jesus. Let us be like Paul, who became a servant and served others with humility of heart and attitude.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV - Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.
In the Christian Church, indeed, self-commendation should be viewed with suspicion as a mark of disqualification. – R. Kent Hughes.
PRAYER:
Jesus, the world does not need another assertive, outspoken, unloving, and prideful man. It needs a Savior who embodies meekness and gentleness. The world needs us to be more like You. Apart from Your Spirit and the transformation within us, it is impossible. But we know You changed Saul into Paul. You can change us more into Your image and character.
Jesus, the world does not need another assertive, outspoken, unloving, and prideful man. It needs a Savior who embodies meekness and gentleness. The world needs us to be more like You. Apart from Your Spirit and the transformation within us, it is impossible. But we know You changed Saul into Paul. You can change us more into Your image and character.
Meekness isn't weakness — it's power under control, and the world doesn't need more impressive people; it needs more people who look like Jesus.
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