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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

IntroIndex©

GENTLENESS

In the OT an attitude of humility or bending low (2 Sm 22:36, KJB; cf. Ps 18:35, KJB). Its adjectival and adverbial forms (“gentle,” “gently”) can mean courteous and unpretentious (Prv 15:4), quiet and tender (Dt 32:2; Is 8:6), or unharsh (2 Sm 18:5; Jb 15:11).

In the NT several words are translated “gentleness,” “gentle,” or “gently.” Shades of meaning include (1) mildness, meekness, forbearance (Mt 11:29; 1 Cor 4:21; 2 Cor 10:1; Gal 5:23; 1 Tm 6:11; 1 Pt 3:4, 15), or a courteous and unassuming attitude (2 Tm 2:25); (2) kindness expressed toward others (1 Thes 2:7; 2 Tm 2:24, KJB); and (3) fitting, fair, or seemly (1 Tm 3:3; Ti 3:2; 1 Pt 2:18). Church leaders and other believers are instructed to deal gently with those who stumble (Gal 6:1), oppose the faith (2 Tm 2:25), or are ignorant and wayward (Heb 5:2).