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Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness
August 12, 2017

We are several weeks into a study of the fruit of the spirit listed by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 and last week looked at longsuffering. Today we will consider what follows longsuffering, or patience; gentleness. Gentleness is translated from the Greek word transliterated as chrestotes, and is given the number 5544 by Strong's Biblical Concordance. Sometimes Gentleness might be translated as kindness.

Paul wrote to the Colossians how the elect of God have many characteristics, including kindness. In verse 12 of chapter 3 the word kindness is translated from the Greek word transliterated as chrestoteta, derived from chrestotes.

Colossians 3:12-15
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Paul wrote to Titus and as he was concluding his letter advised Titus to remember that it was through the kindness, the chrestotes, of God that the Holy Spirit came through Jesus Christ.

Titus 3:1-6
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he again mentioned how it was through kindness, chrestoteti, that grace comes to us through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-7
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved; And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Gentleness, or kindness as it is sometimes called, the Greek chrestoteta, extends from longsuffering, love, joy, and peace as a fruit of the holy spirit. As we live in God's love, joy, peace, and longsuffering we can see the blessing of God's kindness in our life and provide kindness to others. Next week, we will continue this study and will consider goodness.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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