Lexical Summary prautés: Gentleness, meekness Original Word: πραΰτης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance meekness. From praus; mildness, i.e. (by implication) humility -- meekness. see GREEK praus HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4240 praýtēs (compare 4236 /praótēs, 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. See 4236 (praotes). For the believer, meekness (4240 /praýtēs, "gentle-force") begins with the Lord's inspiration and finishes by His direction and empowerment. It is a divinely-balanced virtue that can only operate through faith (cf. 1 Tim 6:11; 2 Tim 2:22-25). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom praus Definition gentleness NASB Translation consideration (1), gentleness (8), humility (1), meekness (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4240: πραΰτηςπραΰτης, see πραότης. Topical Lexicon Concept and Spiritual Texture Gentleness or meekness (Strong’s 4240) expresses interior strength under Holy Spirit control. Far from timidity, it is the poised disposition that gladly submits to God’s will and channels power for another’s good. It therefore belongs to the cluster of virtues labeled “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:23), standing in needed contrast to human anger, rivalry, and self-assertion. Old Testament Roots Although the exact Greek term does not occur in the Septuagint, the quality is anticipated in the Hebrew עֲנָו/עָנָוָה (ʿānāw / ʿănāwâ). Moses is called “very meek, more than any man on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). The Servant-Messiah is foretold as One who “will not cry out, nor raise His voice” (Isaiah 42:2). These portraits prepare for Jesus, in whom gentleness finds its fullest embodiment. Revelation in Christ Jesus describes His own heart: “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). The quality is not merely taught but personified in the incarnate Son, who can wield a whip in the temple yet tenderly welcome children. His meek entry on a colt (Zechariah 9:9 fulfilled in Matthew 21:5) shows that gentleness is compatible with messianic royal authority. Occurrences in the New Testament Epistles 1. Paul confronts the proud Corinthians “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:1). Apostolic authority functions in the same spirit manifested by the Lord it represents. Theological Significance Gentleness is grounded in God’s own character. The Almighty stoops to save, and His might is perfectly ordered toward mercy. Believers share this moral likeness through union with Christ and the sanctifying work of the Spirit. Gentleness therefore testifies both to the saving power of grace and to the coming kingdom where weapons are beaten into plowshares. Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Shepherding: Correction administered in gentleness guards against embittering the flock and preserves the credibility of the shepherd. Cultivation in the Believer Gentleness is not self-manufactured but Spirit-produced. Practices that foster it include: – Surrendered prayer, yielding personal rights to God. – Meditation on the gentleness of Christ in the Gospels. – Deliberate speech that aims to build up rather than win arguments. – Service that prefers others, subduing the ego by acts of hidden love. Eschatological Outlook “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Gentleness is not merely a temporary strategy for hostile times; it is the very posture that fits believers to reign with Christ in the age to come. What seems weak now will prove strong when the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of our Lord. Forms and Transliterations πρα=τητι πρα=τητος πραυπαθιαν πραϋπαθίαν πραυτης πραΰτης πραυτητα πραΰτητα πραυτητι πραΰτητι πραυτητος πραΰτητος praupathian praüpathían prautes prautēs praǘtes praǘtēs prauteta prautēta praǘteta praǘtēta prauteti prautēti praǘteti praǘtēti prautetos prautētos praǘtetos praǘtētosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 4:21 N-GFSGRK: πνεύματί τε πραΰτητος NAS: with love and a spirit of gentleness? INT: spirit moreover of gentleness 2 Corinthians 10:1 N-GFS Galatians 5:23 N-NFS Galatians 6:1 N-GFS Ephesians 4:2 N-GFS Colossians 3:12 N-AFS 1 Timothy 6:11 N-AFS 2 Timothy 2:25 N-DFS Titus 3:2 N-AFS James 1:21 N-DFS James 3:13 N-DFS 1 Peter 3:15 N-GFS Strong's Greek 4240 |
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