The fruit of the Spirit · 8 of 9
Gentleness
Greek prautēs · “meekness” in the King James Bible
Strength yielded to God: a humble, teachable spirit that does not insist on its own way.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”Matthew 11:28–29 (King James Version)
The word
Paul's word is prautēs. The King James Bible calls it meekness, and most modern Bibles say gentleness. Greek writers could use the related word praus for an animal that had been tamed: strength that had learned to answer to another.
Meek is not weak
“Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.”Numbers 12:3 (King James Version)
Moses led a nation out of slavery and stood before Pharaoh. Jesus overturned the tables in the Temple. Both are called meek. Meekness is not a lack of strength. It is strength placed in God's hands.
Blessed are the meek
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”Matthew 5:5 (King James Version)
Gentleness shows most when someone has failed. Paul tells the church to restore such a person “in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). St. Francis of Assisi, gentle with the poor, the sick, and even the animals, is remembered for this kind of strength.
Three simple practices
- Lower your voice. In the next tense conversation, speak more softly than you feel like speaking.
- Restore, don't shame. When someone gets it wrong, correct them privately and kindly (Galatians 6:1).
- Take his yoke. Read Matthew 11:28–30 slowly each morning this week, and hand him one burden each time.
A closing prayer
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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