Gentleness ...

"Gentleness as a Christian virtue is often closely related to kindness 
and is the opposite of being intrusive and obnoxious. 
It is exhibited in tenderness, softness, and the conscious exercise of loving caution in dealing with people. 
It is very concerned about “where other people are at” and seeks to befriend and come along side to help. 
It is not cowardly, however, but strong and caring. 
It shares the truth, listens attentively, and asks permission before blindly speaking into someone’s life."


- definition posted by Katherine Ruonala on facebook.


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" No longer do we stand on street corners, condemning people, 
being religious by pointing out how disappointed God is in them.
Now we can stand on those same corners blessing those same people 
with how much Jesus is for them, 
how much He loves them 
and how much He wants to heal their lives." 
- Katherine Ruonala


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I have been suspicious of the "self" part in self-control

interpretation for temperance (a fruit and virtue of the Spirit}.

The sobriety emphasis is an unsatisfactory meaning, as well.

In Katherine Ruonala's recent teaching on virtues, 

she illuminated from the Greek word a far better translation.

Egkrateia is used 3 times in the New Testament.

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, 
faith,meekness, temperance: 
against such there is no law. (G5:23) KJV


But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: 
love, joy, peace, 
patience, kindness, goodness, 
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. NLT


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... add to your faith virtue; 
and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; 
and to temperance patience; 
and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; 
and to brotherly kindness charity. (1P6) KJV


Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, 
and moral excellence with knowledge,
and knowledge with self-control, 
and self-control with patient endurance, 
and patient endurance with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection, 
and brotherly affection with love for everyone. NLT


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And as [Paul] reasoned of righteousness, temperance, 

and judgment to come, Felix trembled, (A24:25) KJV

As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control 

and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. NLT

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Egkrateia is a synthesis of
ejn = a position in; a relation of rest in.
kratos = strength, power, might, dominion.


So this fruit and virtue, that Holy Spirit allows us to move in,
gives us a position of rest in His power and dominion.
By it we use His power without being aggressive.


We have the might of Jesus, 
when we use our dominion in a peaceful way.


Faced with righteousness by trusting resurrected Jesus,
a strong position of power and might to believers in rest,
and a judgment by Jesus to come,
it is now wonder Felix became frightened
in the presence of Spiritfilled Paul !


I love how this meaning takes away the "self" part of power
and the doing part of being sober minded.


It rightfully highlights the All Powerful one working through us.


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