2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you… Gentleness is not so much the essence of goodness as it is its exquisite setting; it is a kind way of being good. It is not the tree itself, but the blossom upon its boughs; but the tree of which it is the blossom is the tree of life. There is none so gentle as "the Lord God omnipotent." We see and feel His gentleness in the way in which He is daily conferring His bounties. I. THE WAY IN WHICH HE EXERCISED HIS POWER. We are almost afraid of power in the possession of man. When we think of the Pharaohs, the Herods, the Caesars, the Napoleons, we shrink from the committal of power to any human arm. He laid a gentle hand upon the sick; He spoke gentle words to those who appealed for His succour, quietly and graciously. II. THE WAY IN WHICH HE TAUGHT DIVINE TRUTH. Men of brilliant powers often like to flash them upon society; genius often drizzles and bewilders. But the Great Teacher, not neglecting the opportunity that offered, went quietly and meekly to His work of utterance, He chose the humble wayside, the upper room, the shaded garden, where He could teach His disciples. III. THE WAY IN WHICH HE TREATED ERROR AND FAILURE AND SIN. 1. Gently He excused the extravagant zeal of one of His disciples, discovering for her a justification she would never have found for herself. "She has done it for My burial" (Matthew 26:12). 2. Gently He bore with infirm discipleship; correcting their misunderstanding, enlightening them in their darkness, and on one occasion most graciously accepting their intended but halting service (Matthew 26:41). 3. Gently He rebuked and restored failure and fall (Luke 22:61; John 21:15-19). 4. Gently He dealt with those who rejected Him. 5. Gently He dealt with those whom all others spurned; admitting the publican into His kingdom. 6. Gently He bore Himself at the last sad scenes. We may beseech men by the gentleness of Christ — (1) To have their own character and conduct clothed with this grace; that themselves and their life may be beautiful and attractive like their Lord's. (2) To yield their hearts to Him who is the rightful object not only of high regard, but of a true affection; this gentle Lord of truth and grace is one whom we can love and therefore serve. (3) To shrink from the condemnation of Christ. We can afford to disregard the threatenings of the violent, but we may not despise the earnest warnings of the calm and true. (W. Clarkson, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: |
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