opposite of gentleness in the bible opposite of gentleness in the bible

opposite of gentleness in the bible. The law cannot give us the strength to be gentle. The opposite is "unbridled anger, harshness, brutality, and self-expression." ("Self-expression" is the picture of someone who struts and shows off.) In fact, the Bible tells us that we are to follow Gods example of gentleness (Ephesians 5:1). Isa 53:7 ). "We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children."1 Thessalonians 2:7 What is the opposite of gentleness? Even in our sin, He continues to love us. The Bible teaches us that we should be gentle in all our relationshipseven with our enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27-28). Bible Verses About Protecting The Environment, Bible Verses About Protecting The Innocent, Bible Verses About Protecting The Vulnerable, Bible Verses About Pretending To Be Someone Else, Bible Verses About Proclaiming The Word Of God, Bible Verses About Praying For Lost Souls, Bible Verses About Premarital Relationships, Bible Verses About Practicing What You Preach, Bible Verses About Praising God In Hard Times, Bible Verses About Praising God With Music, Bible Verses About Poverty And Homelessness, Bible Verses About Power In The Name Of Jesus, Bible Verses About Practice Makes Perfect, Bible Verses About Plagues In The Last Days KJV, Bible Verses About Plagues In The Last Days, Bible Verses About Physical Pain And Healing. Gentleness is closely related to humility and meekness. Beauty and Ugliness Beauty and ugliness are . Listen to this story in the Bible about a not-very-gentle king: Tell story from 1 Kings 12:1-15. It requires great strength and self-control. He emphasizes the gentle aspect of meekness toward others. Paul showed kindness and gentleness toward those who persecuted him (see Acts 23). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Online Christian Articles and Information Hub. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. Gentleness is when the stronger restrain their strength for the sake of the weaker. The New Testament. Advertisement What is the value of gentleness? Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. He went peacefully to His death because He knew it was the only way to save us from our sins. Right here on Churchgists, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on examples of gentleness in the bible, goodness definition bible, bible characters who showed gentleness, and so much more. The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. The word gentleness in this context comes from the Greek word (prautes), which conveys the concepts of mildness, meekness or softness. God provides many examples of gentleness in the bible, Jesus himself being the best model. In the OT its often translated humbleas in Psalm 24:9, 33:3, 75:10, 146:6, and 149:4. The Bible is full of examples of gentleness. What is the opposite of gentleness in the Bible? This is similar to how Peter uses the word (1 Peter 3:16). And they bring the gospel of peace with gentleness and love, not harshness. We may not realize it, but we are graced a tremendous amount of power. In Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians the word is used in lists combined with things like humility as virtues and graces. Gentleness is a Christian virtue to be used in every aspect of your life. If you are looking for a more in-depth gentleness bible study, there are many bible study tools and bible dictionaries to help you. Ask God to help you see others the way He sees them as precious children made in His image. Actually, gentleness requires quite a bit of strength and self-control. The Bible has a lot to say about gentleness. People should be able to see Christ in us because we are kind and gentle to others, even when they are not to us. Believers ensnared by sin must be restored gently ( Gal 6:1 ). Antonyms: drunkenness, excess, gluttony, greed, intemperance, intoxication, reveling, revelry, self-indulgence, sensuality, wantonness Synonyms: abstemiousness, abstinence, continence, fasting, frugality, moderation, self-denial, self-restraint, sobriety, temperance Preposition: The negative side of virtue is abstinence from vice. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. It looks like Jesus: kind and compassionate to those who are struggling, yet firm and clear-eyed when addressing sin; slow to anger and quick to forgive; always calm and collected even in the midst of chaos; patient with His disciples when they were constantly asking questions and getting things wrong; gentle with sinners but uncompromising on truth. After all, he was a man who was without sin and yet he showed great compassion and mercy towards others, even those who were sinners. Is it not fitting then for believers to exude this same characteristic? opposite of gentleness in the biblehavelock wool australia. Consider what would happen if the omnipotent God was characterized by harshness with his creatures made of dust. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. of It does not mean weakness, per se. Gentleness is not just a nice thing to be; its a fruit of the Holy Spirit. So, you might be surprised to know the Bible has much to say about gentleness. It is the ability to be kind and loving even in the face of adversity. The disciple James also wrote that Christians should be gentle toward all men (James 1:27). Click here to show subject links in the text for more information. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Gentleness in the bible means showing care and respect for others in the way that you act and speak. 5:22). I have been helped in the area of gentleness, Youre welcome glad to hear its helpful! In the 1960s, one man decided to use heavy equipment and bulldozers to move earth and get 100 feet below ground to access the treasure. This means that when gentleness exists in your life, its because God has planted it there. General Editor. For more help incorporating gentleness into your parenting, consider working with Meaghan.Learn More About Meaghan here.Enjoy this post? But why is gentleness such an important virtue? (Psalm 37:37) People of the world resolve conflict mostly by political power, forced conformity, or even brute force. 3. In doing so we will win over those who hear us. Violence, aggression, abuse, or brutality. Would you rather be around someone who is marked by a gentle spirit or one who is harsh, brutish, critical, and aggressive? Philippians 2:3). The good news is that Gentleness can be learned. Now, it's not to say that, if things are not peaceful, then war won't exist. harshness. "Paul to TimothyII Timothy 2: 2KJV, We have Ads Running on this site. Galatians 5 . Prautes is also used to translate a different Hebrew word that is often translated the poor. This is the case in Job 24:4, Isaiah 26:6, Zechariah 9:9, and Zephaniah 3:12. Here Christ makes a connection between gentleness and humility. . The opposite of peace is not war, it's fear. Fighting destroys relationships and takes so much time to repair. Churchgists.com covers prayers, spiritual meaning, bible verses and dreams interpretation. Against such things there is no law. Churchgists.com covers prayers, spiritual meaning, bible verses and dreams interpretation. How is God gentle? Here is a sample of their uses. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Instead, let us show compassion on those around us by being gentle towards themespecially those who may not be as fortunate as ourselves. We learn to make their aims our aims. brutality. It is the opposite of harshness and roughness. Church leaders are admonished to be "not violent but gentle" toward persons under their care ( 1 Tim 3:3 ); it is a quality they are avidly to pursue ( 1 Tim 6:11 ). He could have called down twelve legions of angels to rescue Him, but He didnt. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Your email address will not be published. It can only tell us what we should not do and why its wrong. Ephesians 4:1-2. The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, take a moment to ask God for his gentleness, and then extend that same grace to those around you. I use sarcasm and snap back at my childrens remarks. Matthew 18:21-35. In the New Testament epieikeia ("fairness," "moderation," in Acts 24:4 translated "clemency") is in 2Corinthians 10:1 translated "gentleness," "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Macc 2:22 "favour," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"); chrestotes, "kindness," "usefulness," is translated "gentleness" in Galatians 5:22 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "kindness"; chrestos is the word translated "kind" (to the unthankful and evil, Luke 6:35), and chrestotes seems to carry in it a similar idea of active kindness. In Galatians it is a mark of being led by the Spirit and it is shown as an example of walking in step with the Spirit in Galatians 6:1. Instead, gentleness is a strength that comes from God. The opposites of gentleness are anger, a desire for revenge, and self-aggrandizement. By showing gentleness to our spouses, we are not only making them feel loved and appreciated, but we are also setting a tone of respect and consideration that will spill over into other areas of our lives. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem entitled "The Village Blacksmith" gives us a wonderful demonstration of genuine gentleness. Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. In fact, it mentions it in several places. We see in Jesus a deeper definition of gentleness. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) "I'll believe it when I see it.". He healed the sick, preached to the masses, and showed compassion to everyone he met. True gentleness, however, is just the opposite. Check Out Amazon Educational Resources on The Spirit of Gentleness. 889 opposites of gentleness- words and phrases with opposite meaning. But the reality is that war is more of a surface behaviour, something seen, rather than exposing the deeper things taking place inside. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When correcting opponents, it should be done with gentleness. Honestly, a change in our worldview/theology would do a great deal of work here as well. Gentleness doesn't come naturally. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and . When Adam and Eve started out in the Garden of Eden, they had peace with God. In the New Testament it is the translation of epios, "mild," "gentle" (1Thessalonians 2:7; 2Timothy 2:24), and of epieikes, "fitting" "proper," etc. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone (Titus 3:1-2). Gentleness also means that we are patient with those who disagree with us, because they may have valid reasons for their position or opinion. I'm too self-centered to stop and kiss my child's scraped knee. Posted on Monday, May 17, 2021 by K-LOVE Pastors. Its a way of dealing with people, yourself, and God. It is important to Christians because it is important to God. Gentleness evidences itself in a willingness to yield, reminiscent of a lamb being led to slaughter ( Jer 11:19 ; cf. Through Christ we have been given everything we need for life and godliness. We should also work at controlling our tempers with grace, kindness, patience, forgiveness, love and respect for others. Gentleness Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary (biblestudytools.com) I was defending my need to not have my thoughts intruded upon frequently. To understand what gentleness looks like in practice, lets look at some examples from scripture: Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. If you want to make the world a better place, start by being gentle with others. 5:22). Of all the character traits which could have been part of the fruit of the Spirit, why is gentleness in that list? 94-96, 240-42; W. Bauder, NIDNTT, 2:256-64; H. Preisker, TDNT, 2:588-90; F. Hauck and S. Schulz, TDNT, 6:645-51. It seems to be synonymous with being a good person. The LORD recently spoke to me about how harsh I can be. Far from dismissing gentleness, the Scriptures speak of gentleness as the way the kingdom of God "gets things done.". It is the opposite of harshness and violence. This is similar language to what Paul used in 1 Corinthians 4:21, when he contrasts gentleness with coming to them with a rod.. That is the biblical picture of gentleness. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). As parents and caregivers, let us always remember the power of gentleness in shaping the hearts and minds of our children. Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. But the Holy Spirit gives us a new quality for living, which is gentleness (1 Peter 3:4). Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Fashion designer Coco Chanel once remarked, gentleness doesnt get work done unless you happen to be a hen laying eggs., Sadly, this dismissal of gentleness is not reserved for the world. Gentleness isnt weakness; its not passive or submissive either. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a298435548fac6131ddbee45a6669aa4" );document.getElementById("e218d56cc5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. hardness docility, intentional mildness roughness docility, intentional mildness abruptness steepness harshness imperviousness docility, intentional mildness precipitousness brutality unkindness Filters Most terms are nouns Suggest Therefore, someone who lacks gentleness is often prideful and easily angered, or feels the need for revenge. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love (Ephesians 4:2). It is the opposite of pride, haughtiness, and self-exaltation. 4. We may thinkthat those who are harsh will get things done, but we have to look at the fruit. Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. Throughout history, there have been many gentle people who have made a difference in the world. It takes a strong person to be truly gentle. Gentleness is a virtue that is described in the Bible as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Meekness however may be distinguished from gentleness in that meekness is the way one regards oneself, and is therefore described in the Scriptures as 'lowliness of mind.' (e.g. We grow in gentleness much in the way that we grow in every fruitwe abide in Jesus. "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". It's a beauty that cannot fade away. Heres everything you need to know about this virtue and how you can use it in your life! The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is patience? Gentleness is something Christians must learn. It can only tell us what we should not do and why its wrong. Not only does it mean being kind to people who are kind to you, but also it means being kind even when someone isnt nice back! Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. And it is to those who are gentle and meek who will inherit the earththe gentle are the ones who receive Gods rescue. As a result, our children learn to trust us and to respond to us with respect. In the Greek written long before the NT came about, the noun meant "gentleness, mild friendliness" (DNTT). There are two other types of peace. and pushy. (1Timothy 3:3 the Revised Version (British and American); Titus 3:2; James 3:17; 1Peter 2:18); also, with article, Philippians 4:5 (the King James Version "moderation," the Revised Version (British and American) "forbearance"). You can prevent inciting anger by choosing to respond with gentleness. Gentleness is a virtue that is praised in the Bible and throughout history. 6. 1. Proud member The Spirit-Filled Life: Discovering the Joy of Surrendering to the Holy Spirit by Charles Stanley. It's about how we treat others, even when they don't treat us well. It is power over one's Spirit that exudes a meek and mild person like Jesus. As a parent, I see gentleness as one of the most important character qualities we need to focus on in our family. 1915. . But the more I study, the more I find that gentleness is one of the chief Christian virtues. He cares tenderly for the flock under his care, and "gently leads those that have young" ( Isa 40:11 ). But what is gentleness? Pray for God to help you forgive those who have hurt you. The Holy Spirit wants us to cultivate this fruit of gentleness in our lives. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. It is related to another Greek word often used in the New Testament, (tapeinophrosyne), which speaks of humility or lowliness of mind. Why is it important for us to follow Gods example of gentleness? Copyrights 2021 Gentle Christian Parenting. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. The Greek word describes someone who has power but chooses not to use it harshly or selfishly. Therefore, as followers of Jesus we are called to exhibit this character trait in our own lives. By modeling Gods character in our own lives, we give our children the best possible foundation for a happy and successful future. Gentleness is a value and quality in one's character. How different things would have been if Paul had not shown such gentleness! W. Barclay, New Testament Words, pp. Gentleness on the other hand, deals with the way that one regards others. The fruit of the Spirit is essentially the character of Jesus. However, there are many situations for which it requires great strength of character and self-control to be gentle. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus' words mirror those spoken by David: Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. What is gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit? Opposite of the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered brutality unkindness hardness harshness imperviousness roughness cruelty savagery inhumanity barbarity viciousness atrocity sadism heartlessness ruthlessness barbarousness savageness fiendishness bestiality atrociousness barbarism brutishness mercilessness wickedness bloodthirstiness How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. The Bible says that Moses was a meek man; in fact, God's word in Numbers 12:3 says . He was always willing to forgive those who had sinned against him and he always treated others with respect, no matter who they were. By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. While many view meekness as a weakness, it is actually strength under control. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is kindness? It is amazing how ONE small act of kindness shown to our spouses can change the atmosphere of an entire day. Teach Them Obedience. In many languages, gentleness and meekness are equated with gentle speech. Thank God for His forgiveness and grace extended to you, no matter how much you may deserve it.. Be encouraged that He will help you extend that same grace to others, even when its difficult. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. His laws are also reasonable and easy to obey; neither He nor they enslave. It's the opposite of anger and harshness. Often our harshness comes from a place of fear. The Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek NT defines it this way: Prautes denotes the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself, in particular, in a patient submissiveness to offense, free from malice and desire for revenge controlled strength, the ability to bear reproaches and slights without bitterness and resentment; the ability to provide a soothing influence on someone who is in a state of anger, bitterness and resentment against life the word indicates an obedient submissiveness to God and His will, with unwavering faith and enduring patience displaying itself in a gentle attitude and kind acts toward others, and this often in the face of opposition.. If you want to see real, biblical gentleness, open your bible to one of the gospels, and reflect on Jesus's words and actions. Paul then continues to model gentleness in the way he preaches (1 Thes 2:7 and 1 Cor 4:21). Gentleness has been a topic of discussion since the beginning of time. But for me, it was quite revelatory. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is faithfulness? When we are gentle with our children, we send the message that they are safe and loved. Gentleness comes from a state of humility. 4.) There are many benefits to being gentle, including happiness, better relationships, and less stress. When we receive a . We live in a broken world, and it can be easy to become jaded and hardened by the pain we see around us. But thats ignorant of Roman history and the state of corruption within the religious leaders in his day. True gentleness, however, is just the opposite. Gentleness remembers that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), and we are all trying to find our way through this ungentle world. And does it accomplish things? That king, now come in the flesh, is "gentle and humble in heart" ( Matt 11:29 ). And he is calling upon us to exude that same characteristic in our interaction with others. People who are gentle usually have a lot of inner peace and self-control. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream ( Isa 8:6 ) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth ( So 7:9 ). considerateness.5 The Interpreter's Bible says it is the opposite of hubris, the Greek word for haughty, boastful inso-lence.6 To try to understand gentleness further, let us go through the passages in the Bible where the Greek word prautes is used. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus takes upon himself this descriptor: I am gentle and lowly in heart., And when Jesus tells us what animates him most deeply, what is most true of himwhen he exposes the innermost recesses of his beingwhat we find there is: gentle and lowly. (Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, 19). The world is full of harshness and rudeness. 13:5) That means we need to recognize when our anger has run out of control and learn how to stop it before it gets out of hand. The Old Testament. Your email address will not be published. . This means that when we see someone in need, we can no longer ignore them or pass them off as someone elses problem. Harshness is usually the response of someone with little power trying to attain it through violence. He is slow to anger and forgiving of sinners. The opposite of gentleness is: Rudeness, manipulation, or disrespect. Required fields are marked *. When we develop lazy attitudes in some areas, that laziness tends to spread to other areas as well. Gentleness also means that we are patient with those who disagree with us, because they may have valid reasons for their position or opinion. Its a quality that we should all strive to embody, especially in our relationships with others. Consider how you talk to yourself. You can dramatize the king's voice, especially on the repetition of the young men's council. Gentleness is one of the most important virtues in the Bible. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? To me, its important to raise my children with gentleness and tenderness. I think about what Paul said in Philippians on shining like stars in a crooked and perverse generation. By practicing gentleness, we show others the love and kindness of God. In order to be gentle, we must not view ourselves as better than someone else. What the Bible is . Consider Galatians 5:23 which says that gentleness is part of the fruit (or evidence) of the Holy Spirit within us. Always be humble andgentle. Heres everything you need to know about this virtue and how you can use it in your life! The world without Christ considers gentle people to be weak people, losers, doormats. It can be described with one word from the Book of Books. One commentator described our culture in North America as "restless, rootless, and ruthless." Gentleness is the opposite . Furthermore, when we are gentle with our children, we help them to develop into well-rounded individuals who are able to navigate the challenges of life with grace and strength. Listen more than you speak or act (James 1:19). 5. Its the opposite of harshness, and it means that we dont try to force our beliefs or ideas on others. In other words, its not weakness; its strength under control. I'm Christina, a mom of three who is passionate about helping Christian parents and caregivers tend to their children with the full character of Jesus, including his gentleness. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" ( Gal 5:22-23 ), a cluster of qualities each of which reinforces and finds expression in the others. 11:29 NIV). In the Bible, gentleness is also called meekness, and it is a prominent virtue in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. What does this look like? It is described as a quiet spirit, will not harm a bruised reed the shield of your salvation. But the more we come to know the God who holds our future, as well as where God is taking us, the less prone we will be to carry around a harsh and bitter spirit within our hearts. In Matthew 11:29, Christ said, " Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (emphasis added throughout). He can exercise each office concurrently while at the same time not neglecting any of the other attributes . It's a way of life. Galatians 5:22-23. In this verse, Paul makes it clear that gentleness is not something from the Law or from human effort or will power; rather, it comes from Gods grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Gentleness extends grace (undeserved favor), love, and kindness to even the most difficult-to-like people. Its a quality of character. When we attempt to restore someone caught in sin, we are to do it in a spirit of gentleness. In 2 Timothy and in Titus, gentleness is to mark the Christian leader. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees told Jesus that the Law of Moses commanded them to stone such a woman, to which Jesus responds, Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her (John 8:7). According to that definition, one could say that gentleness isnt doing, it is being done to. Cognate: 4240 prats (compare 4236 /prats, another feminine noun which is also derived from the root pra-, emphasizing the divine origin of the meekness) - meekness ("gentle strength") which expresses power with reserve and gentleness. When a Christian leader falls, it is almost always due to a lack of self-control and personal discipline. Rather than asserting superiority, someone who is gentle wants to help others, even when they have been done wrong. I am a huge fan of the show The Curse of Oak Island. Its about a couple of brothers and their friends searching for a treasure on an island in Nova Scotia. Bibliography. This is because gentleness doesn't come very naturally to me. brutality. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, " exhorts Paul ( Eph 4:2 ). Through prayer, we can ask God to give us a spirit of gentleness and take away any feelings of self-righteousness. Gentleness. Gentleness is an attitude or disposition that involves treating others with care and courtesy (1 Pet 3:8). Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. This verse tells us that we should not only be kind toward others but also put their needs before our own. In the Bible, gentleness is a virtue that many people are encouraged to develop. This is why someone like Coco Chanel could say that gentleness doesnt get things done. It should not be seen as a weakness, but rather as a strength. He was said to have been cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer. In this verse, Paul makes it clear that gentleness is not something from the Law or from human effort or will power; rather, it comes from Gods grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Welcome to our Family. When someone considers someone to have the quality of epiekes, they would say that this is a pleasurable person to be around. You can be gentle in him thanks for sharing and encouraging . unkindness. Jesus was gentle in his interactions with people when he preached about love or healed someone who was sick (see Matthew 9). Gentleness is the quality of being kind and considerate. As a Christian, you demonstrate the Spirit at work in your life when you show gentleness. When you do this you can then look for ways to meet those needs and truly help work through those feelings. About 5 years ago, Robert Ringer wrote the book Looking Out For Number One. Sometimes gentleness is used interchangeably with "meekness" in the Bible. Gentleness is a marker of power used and handled properly. Look at how he led the Philippian jailer to Christ. I am not affectionate, and I fail to give loving hugs. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. God is gentle with us, and we are called to be gentle with others. Gentle Like a Shepherd. The quality of gentleness is the opposite of harshness with others. So now that we understand the call to gentleness and its many benefits, how do we put it into practice?Here are 10 ways you can show gentleness: Here are some bible verses on gentleness to encourage and build you up. Let believers clothe themselves "with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" ( Col 3:12 ). Following Jesus' example, Paul treats his people gently, "like a mother caring for her little children" ( 1 Thess 2:7 ). Great damage has been done by Christians who have wielded God-given authority for their own ends instead of for the kingdom. Gentleness is opposed to all forms of prideful anger: "quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility" ( 2 Corinthians 12:20 ). Sharpness, coldness, or evil.