The Superpower of Gentleness

“Correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2Tim 2:25).

Every hero has an enemy. Sherlock has Moriarity. Harry Potter has Voldemort. Seinfeld has Newman. Every superhero has an archenemy. Superman has Lex Luthor. Batman has the Joker. Captain America has the Red Skull.

In each and every case, the enemy MUST be defeated. A fight is inevitable. The only way to win is beat them in battle. And it’s going to take every bit of our hero’s amazing abilities or superpowers to come out on top.

According to Paul, someone who follows Jesus is going to run into enemies but must have a totally different method in mind. Instead of an all-out war against their rival, the Lord’s servant should be “correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (v25). Well that’s not exactly the kind of storyline you see in the Marvel Comic Universe! The apostle tells Timothy that every believer has a superpower and it’s kindness. When used correctly on the enemy, God may not only give them the gift of changing their mind but may also be giving you a teammate in the process.

Now don’t get the idea that Paul is some comic book fan boy living in his parents’ basement. Not even close. The apostle is doing hard time on Death Row in a Roman prison (2Tim 1:16; 2:9) and his execution date is right around the corner (2Tim 4:6-7). So he’s not writing to some random guy he met at Comic-Con but to the young pastor he sees as his spiritual son (1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2). In this epistle, Paul pleads for one last visit from Timothy (2Tim 4:9, 21) in order to pass the baton of spreading the message of Jesus (2Tim 2:1-4:5).

The apostle tells Tim that a mega-theme in ministry is dealing with folks outside the faith who may actually weasel their way into the church. He wrote to him about it in his first letter (1Tim 1:3-7, 20; 4:1-3; 6:2-10, 20-21). Three times here in chapter two of this epistle he tells his protege not to get sucked into a word war with these knuckleheads (2Tim 2:14, 16-17, 23-24). It’s time to grow up and put on your big boy pants and start chasing the things of God (2Tim 2:22).

A huge part of that chase is dealing with people who aren’t on Team Jesus. Paul calls them “opponents” and uses a word (Gr. αντιδιατιθημι/antidiatithemi) that literally describes a person intentionally setting themselves against something or someone. Picture a nose tackle digging his cleats in the turf right across the line from offense. It describes someone who is not only headed in the opposite direction but who’s openly hostile to what you’re trying to do. They’ll do anything necessary to stop you.

But here’s the deal. They may look like the enemy. They may act like the enemy. They may talk like the enemy. But they’re NOT who we’re really fighting. In a previous letter to his Ephesian friends, Paul provides a detailed scouting report on our foe. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). In other words, the REAL enemy is Satan and his unholy horde. Jesus wants us to realize that the person who appears to be our opponent may actually be a future teammate!

Once we understand who we’re really fighting, our strategy changes when dealing with human opposition. The idea isn’t to pound them into submission. Instead we should be “correcting his opponents with gentleness” (v25). We shouldn’t destroy but instruct. The goal isn’t to eradicate but educate. A servant of Jesus is to school an enemy but not embarrass them. You don’t beat them over the head with a ten-pound Bible. You don’t rub their nose in it. You don’t run up the score.

We do it with “gentleness” (v25). Paul drops a Greek word here (Gr. πραοτης/praotes) that can be translate as meekness and mildness. Now before you think we’re to wimp out and wave the white flag when challenged, that’s NOT what’s going on. This is the idea of strength that accommodates the weakness of another. It’s the opposite of acting harshly. We’re to be like Jesus. Instead dropping onto our planet on His first visit as the Lion of Judah (Gen 49:9-10; Rev 5:5) He came as the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29). Don’t bulldoze someone weaker than you. Overpower them with strength under control. Defeat them with gentleness.

Did you know God gives all His followers the superpower of “gentleness” (v25)? Okay, the Bible doesn’t exactly call them superpowers per se. Paul describes this package of supernatural abilities as the “fruit of the Spirit”. One of the awesome things that happens when Jesus comes to our rescue is that the Spirit of God makes His home in us. When He does, things change in a BIG way from the inside out. We begin exhibiting “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness(Gr. πραοτης/praotes), self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). I’ll take that over gamma rays or a bite from a radioactive spider.

This supernatural strength under control comes in handy as a follower of Christ. Paul says anytime someone sins we should always try to “restore him in a spirit of gentleness(Gr. πραοτης/praotes)” (Gal 6:1). The apostle makes a point to Titus how those who trust in Jesus are “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy (Gr. πραοτης/praotes) to all people” (Titus 3:2). Paul’s buddy Peter writes that every believer should be ready to tell others about our Savior, “yet do it with gentleness (Gr. πραοτης/praotes) and respect” (1Pet 3:15). God gives us the ability to overpower our opponents with strength under control.

Just as this supernatural gentleness comes from God, so does any change in our opponent. If we approach them with love and humility, “God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (v25). What?!? Repentance is a gift? You got it. Not only does the Lord provide us with the ability to be gentle, He gives our opponents the ability to turn from their sin and rebellion.

This isn’t the only place we see this idea of repentance as a gift. When Peter describes to the guys at the home office in Jerusalem how God is doing His patented crazy saving thing among non-Jews too, church leaders realized, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance (Gr. μετανοια/metanoia) that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). In the same way God’s Spirit gives believers the power of gentleness, He also gives us the power of repentance. Think of it this way. We can’t turn from our mess and turn to God without His divine help.

So what exactly is repentance, anyhoo? For most of us who grew up in traditional or fundamental churches, it conjures up images of red-faced preachers trying to scare us into heaven with sermons of hell’s fire and brimstone. “Turn or burn!” While purchasing eternal fire insurance certainly should be at the top of our spiritual to-do list, that’s not exactly a true understanding of the idea.

A closer look at the word “repentance” in the original language reveals the compound word μετανοια (metanoia). It literally means “after (μετα-/meta-) thinking (-νοια/-noia).” Repentance is a change of mind. It’s thinking again about something and coming to a new conclusion. Once God opens my eyes to His truth and my sin, I come to a new conclusion. I now see me as He does. I desperately need help. I desperately need a Savior. The result is a 180. I spin from my own hot mess to the holy Son of God. And it’s all a gift from God.

Jesus doesn’t bully anybody into belief. Sure, He does have a habit of blindsiding folks. Just ask Paul (more on that in a moment). But instead using threats and intimidation, He loves to overwhelm us with His overflowing goodness. It’s “God’s kindness that is meant to lead you to repentance(Gr. μετανοια/metanoia)” (Rom 2:4). In other words, Jesus is so incredibly wonderful to us that we have a massive change of heart and mind. It’s what inspired John Newton to write the famous line in his hit tune Amazing Grace: “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear.” God’s grace is SO amazing that we turn from the counterfeits we’ve been chasing and make a beeline to our Savior!

The apostle knows this is the reality of repentance because it is HIS reality! Before he was missionary Paul, he was known as murderer Saul. The man from Tarsus absolutely hated the followers of Jesus and made it his life’s purpose to wipe them off the face of the planet. He hunted them down. He tortured them. He dragged many to prison (Acts 8:3). He murdered others. The dude was so ruthless toward what was known as the Way that he happily ran the coatcheck table at Stephen’s stoning (Acts 7:58; 8:1). Paul openly admits every bit of it (1Cor 15:9; Gal 1:13; Phil 3:6; 1Tim 1:13).

But before Saul could execute his next black ops search-and-destroy mission in Damascus, the resurrected Jesus blinded the young Pharisee in order to open his eyes (Acts 9:1-6). In an incredible act of divine kindness, our Savior gave him the gift of repentance. He graciously allowed the man devoted to terrorizing the church the chance to think again about what he was doing from God’s perspective. The result led to his “knowledge of the truth” (v25) about who Jesus is and what He has done. In this case, Jesus’ gentleness transformed an assassin into an apostle!

Back in Paul’s letter to Timothy, the apostle tells the young pastor how God’s gift of gentleness to us combined with His gift of repentance to our opponents may eventually be “leading to a knowledge of the truth” (v25). When the apostle uses this phrase, he’s talking about understanding truth with capital T. He’s talking about a relationship with Jesus, the embodiment of the ultimate truth (Jn 14:6). “Knowledge of the truth” is one of Paul’s ways of describing a relationship with Jesus.

The apostle’s talking about salvation. In his previous letter, he describes how God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim 2:4). Later Paul uses a very similar idea when talking about how false teachers love to target certain women in fragile situations who are “never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2Tim 3:7). In other words, they find easy marks and distract them from true salvation in Jesus with all sorts of religious mumbo jumbo.

The Lord certainly calls us to take on our opponents but not in the way you would expect. We’re to use the supernatural superpower of gentleness He’s given us. What we don’t see is what He may be giving them as well: the superpower of repentance. Instead of a very predictable knock down, drag out battle between good and evil, the enemy may well have a change of heart and mind. They may come to their senses and come to Christ. If that happens, our opponent may suddenly become our teammate. 

But that only happens when we unleash our superpower of gentleness.

Hot Pursuit

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1Tim 6:11).

A police cruiser races down the interstate with siren blaring and blue lights flashing. A linebacker sprints toward the ballcarrier breaking down the field. A hungry cheetah flies across the savannah toward its prey. Each one of them totally focused. Each one undistracted. Each one in hot pursuit.

In this letter to the young pastor of the Ephesian church, Paul encourages Timothy to stop chasing stuff that tears you down and start chasing stuff that builds you up! “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (v11). Quit wasting your time with things that waste your life. Start chasing after things that really matter. Put the hammer down! Be in hot pursuit!

Getting the church of Ephesus back on track is priority one for Pastor Tim. A team of spiritual con artists weaseled their way into the congregation and done all sorts of damage (1Tim 1:3-7; 4:1-3). Paul did what he could to straighten things out at this once proud church, kicking two of the ringleaders to the curb (1Tim 1:20). Now on divine assignment up the road in Macedonia, he’s handed the keys to his protege Timothy (1Tim 1:3). A key to getting the church out of the ditch and back on the road is for Tim to be personally in hot pursuit of the things of God.

It’s at this point that Paul gets personal. “But as for you, O man of God” (v11). I’m talking to you, Tim. Yes, you. Not the entire church. Just you. Y. O. U. It’s as if the apostle wants his spiritual son to look him in right the eyes and pay full attention. By the way, the phrase “man of God” only appears twice in the entire New Testament. Both are by Paul and both are in his letters to Tim. In the sequel to this epistle, the apostle writes how God personally inspires Scripture so “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (1Tim 3:16-17). There are times in our relationships when we need someone’s total attention. Are you listening? I mean REALLY listening? Get it. Got it. Good.

Step one is to stop doing stuff that does damage. “Flee these things” (v11). Paul uses a a Greek word (Gr. pheugo) which means to quickly escape danger, run away, or take flight to seek safety. An angel tipped off Jesus’ dad Joe that King Herod had put a hit on his Son and told the carpenter to “flee (Gr. pheugo) to Egypt until I tell you” (Mt 2:13). Remember when Christ chased the demons out two dudes living in the graveyard and puts them in a herd of pigs and how the pig farmers “fled (Gr. pheugo)” and beat feet for the village (Mt 8:33)? 

Just what exactly are “these things” we’re to escape? A quick review. “Conceit” and “an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth” (1Tim 6:4-5). It’s thinking that religion is a get-rich-quick scheme (1Tim 6:5). Specifically, it’s “the love of money” which causes all sorts of human root rot and can draw people further away from Jesus (1Tim 6:10).

A follower of Jesus makes sure to put all of this garbage in his rearview mirror. When folks in Corinth thought they could play fast and loose with their libidos, Paul told them, “Flee (Gr. pheugo) sexual immorality” (1Cor 6:18). Can we talk? We can’t simply manage our destructive desires. I can’t store my harmful habits in the closet, use them occasionally and expect to truly grow in Christ. I can’t play footsie with sin. I’ve got hate it, kill it, and run from it…as fast as my little tootsies will carry me! Take a lesson from Joseph. When his boss’ desperate housewife put the move on him, he hightailed it out of the house in his tighty whities (Gen 39:12). Now THAT’S what I call some serious fleeing!

Now that your sprinting from sin, you need a target. Don’t just run randomly away from what ruins you. “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (v11). Paul doesn’t tell Tim to swing by a few of these good things when he gets a chance. The apostle commands him to do it in a New York minute. He uses the Greek verb dioko, which paints a picture of someone press forward quickly, or running after something with great intensity. It’s a chase with the purpose of catching. The relentlessly hunt for an object. 

Writers of the NT actually use this word in a negative sense more often than not. As a matter of fact, it’s how the apostle formerly known as Saul described his search-and-destroy mission for the followers of Jesus. “I persecuted (Gr. dioko) this Way to death” (Acts 22:4). When the resurrected Jesus blindsided the man from Tarsus outside of Damascus, He wanted to know, “Saul, Saul, what are you persecuting (Gr. dioko) Me?” (Acts 22:7). Paul told King Agrippa he hunted down disciples anywhere and everywhere and “persecuted (Gr. dioko) them even to foreign cities” (Acts 26:11). He was in hot pursuit of Christ’s disciples.

Instead, let’s relentlessly run after “righteousness, godliness, faith, steadfastness, gentleness” (v11). 

So the question is, am I pursuing the things of God with the same veracity and intensity as Saul hunted and hounded first century Christians? Am I willing to let nothing get in my way in order to obtain the stuff on this list? Like a defensive end rushing the passer on third and long, it’s time to pin your ears back. Don’t worry about a screen pass. Don’t concern yourself with the draw. Just get to the QB with great prejudice. Cut it loose. Nothing else matters. Or as Paul told his friends in Philippi, “I press on (Gr. dioko) toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14). Let’s be in hot pursuit of our Savior!

Let’s take a quick look at our targets. “Righteousness” (v11) is doing what is right to both God and people. It places an emphasis on action. Next up is “godliness” (v11), a word Paul uses a grand total of eight times in this little letter alone. It’s a compound word that literally means “good worship.” It describes our reverence for God expressed in our behavior. We’re to follow hard after “faith” (v11). This is placing total trust in Jesus alone as the source of salvation. He lived the perfect life I should have lived, died the death I should have died, and rose to new life I don’t deserve. It’s what Luther called “The Great Exchange.” Our rebellion and defiance for His perfection and obedience (2Cor 5:21).

Paul calls us to run hard after “love” (v11). This isn’t just a warm fuzzy feeling but actual sacrificial love-in-action. Remember, love is a verb. Let’s sprint hard toward “steadfastness” (v11). This is hanging tough when things get hard. When the going gets tough, the tough IN CHRIST get going. God gives us the power to stand strong in tough times. Last but certainly not least is “gentleness” (v11). This is more than simply not being a grouch. We’re to pursue  composure, a calm disposition, and a soothing manner. Ancient writers used this term to describe taming wild animals. As followers of Jesus, we’re not to throw gasoline on the fire. Instead, He calls us to be firehoses of His grace and peace.

Pretty simple actually. Step one, quit jacking around with the things that jack you up. Come on. You know what they are. Is it a TV show? A website? An app? A substance? A person? Lace up your sneakers and run like the wind out of there! Now make a beeline for best God has for you. Be rapidly intentional. This is certainly no trivial pursuit. Stop chasing stuff that tears you down and start chasing stuff that builds you up! Picture yourself as a cop on a high speed chase. A linebacker bearing down on a running back. A big cat about to pounce on its prey. Let’s be in hot pursuit!

Road House

“not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (1Tim 3:3) 

I admit it. I like “Road House.” If you’re not familiar with this classic piece of American cinema, shame on you. The late Patrick Swayze plays Dalton, a cooler that Sam Elliot brings in to clean up his biker bar called the Double Deuce. He regularly goes all Billy Jack on the drunken patrons of this rather dubious establishment. 

How nasty is this motion picture honky tonk? Dalton says it has “too many 40-year-old adolescents, felons, power drinkers, and trustees of modern chemistry.” In other words, it’s not the place Paul would have Timothy go looking for overseer candidates in the Ephesian church. Dalton’s list is pretty much the opposite of the apostle’s. “Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (v3). “Road House” might be a motion picture guilty pleasure, but we can cross it off the list of places to visit when looking for leaders in the church.

Maybe just maybe there is a parallel between the Double Deuce and the church in Ephesus. A gang of false teachers came in and started stirring up trouble. Paul has already tossed the despicable duo of Hymenaeus and Alexander out the front door (1Tim 1:20). I’m NOT saying the apostle brings his boy Tim like some first century bouncer (but then again, maybe that’s exactly what’s going down). We do know that Paul’s on the road to Macedonia and has put his protege in the position of Ephesian pastor. His job is simple. Take out the trash (1Tim 1:3-7) and find new godly leaders (1Tim 3:1-13).

Paul calls these leaders “overseers” (1Tim 3:1). They’re to watch over and watch out for God’s people. Here in verse 3, the man from Tarsus makes it very clear that any dude with a rep for being drunk and violent is NOT a candidate for the position. He previously points out a church leader must be “sober-minded, self-controlled” (1Tim 3:2). In other words, an elder needs a clear head and clear eyes to care and guide the followers of Jesus. You can’t be buzzed behind the wheel of God’s church.

So why does Paul seem to repeat himself and tell Tim to eliminate a man who is a drunk? Did he forget what he just wrote about sobriety? Nah, don’t think so. You see, the following phrase works together. “Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome” (v3). The word “drunkard” is the Greek word paroinos. It literally means someone who is always “near (par-) wine (-oinos).” 

We’re not talking about your buddy the wine snob. You know the guy. He’s always bragging about dropping a couple of hundred bucks on some rare bottle of pinot noir. Really get your nose in there. Can’t you smell the mixture of coffee beans and dirty sweat socks?!? As frustrating as this fella may be, that’s NOT who Paul’s describing. But I digress.

He is talking about a heavy drinker, one who tends to be quarrelsome because they drink too much. As a matter of fact, some translations actually render this as “no brawler” (v3 ASV, ERV) or “not quickly moved to wrath” (v3 BBE). Several Bible scholars and commentaries connect the dots between bars and barroom brawls. Robertson says this is what happens when somebody sits by his wine too long. The Pulpit Commentary makes the point that the word is “common in classical Greek, in the sense of ‘quarrelsome over wine.’” The Three Musketeers of Jameison-Fausset-Brown agree this means “not indulging in the brawling, violent conduct towards others, which proceeds from being given to wine.” Albert Barnes says this is all about being drunk and violent.

Paul links two more “nots” as qualities which eliminate someone from being an overseer. “Not violent” and “not quarrelsome” (v3). The first word here (Gr. plektes) literally means a puncher or striker. A bully with a hair trigger. Someone who’s not just seen his fair share of fights but started most of them. They’re already a hothead. Pour a little liquid courage down their throat and you’ve got trouble in river city. Not exactly the kind of knucklehead setting the tone for your local congregation. Our leaders should have a firm grasp on Scripture, not a tire iron or bike chain.

The other “not” is “not quarrelsome” (v3). A lot of translations turn the Greek word amachos into “peaceable,” but it’s really more than that. The original language here literally means “without battle.” Does it mean someone who is looking to avoid a fight? No question. But it also carries the idea of a dude with whom nobody fights because they are unbeatable. They rarely have to rumble because they’re invincible. They’re not like a hockey thug skating all over the ice looking for a “dance partner.” He may not start it but it can finish it. But an overseer is to be someone strong enough NOT to fight.

Instead a church leader must be “gentle” (v3). We’re talking patient and fair. Paul drops this very same word (Gr. epieikes) over in his letter to Philippi. “Let your reasonableness (Gr. epieikes) be evident to everyone” (Phil 4:5). So this idea of being gentle isn’t limit to just church leaders. Every follower of Jesus is “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle (Gr. epieikes), and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2). It’s also a key indicator of heavenly wisdom which “is first pure, then peaceable, gentle (Gr. epieikes), open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). And we’re called not just to be nice to those who are nice to use but “gentle (Gr. epieikes) also to the unjust” (1Pet 2:18).

Dalton may have been just the right guy to straighten things out down at the Double Deuce. But he’s not exactly overseer material according to the Apostle Paul. The Road House isn’t the kind of joint where you’ll find someone who’s “not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (v3).

What's Your Rep?

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5).

For Thomas Edison, it’s the light bulb. The Wright boys Wilbur and Orville made a name for themselves for powered flight. We’ll always remember Rosa Parks for her courage to keep her seat on the bus. Cameron Crowe's film tells the story of a wannabe writer who was "Almost Famous." And who can forget the Kardashians who are famous for…famous for…famous for what exactly?!? Famous for being famous? How about you? What’s your rep? What are you known for? 

Paul tells us we should be famous for not wanting to win. “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (v5). I realize this wasn’t how Dale Earnhardt earned his nickname as the Intimidator. He’s famous for saying, “Second place is just the first place loser.” That might be how you get to Victory Lane at the track, but not in life. Just like Jesus who’s encore is right around the corner, we should be well known for helping others to succeed and be first.

You might think the apostle writes from a pie-in-the-sky-sweet-by-and-by perspective. All that consideration for others stuff may work for him as a pastor and missionary, but not in the real world. Slow your roll and remember where Paul is when he writes to his friends in Philippi. He’s behind bars in Rome and he’s been in the joint for about five years since his original arrest in Jerusalem at the temple riot (Acts 21:30-36). So the man from Tarsus isn’t writing this call to graciousness from an ivory tower. Despite being  an innocent man, the apostle is in the slammer. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be telling my friends to be reasonable if I were doing hard time in Caesar’s supermax. A cake with a file? Yes. Now THAT would be reasonable!

What exactly does the apostle mean when he says, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (v5)? Well, a closer look at the original text would probably help us out. Where the ESV translators give us “reasonableness” is the Greek word epieikes. This term has a boatload of meaning. Everything from gentleness, graciousness, fairness, forbearance, consideration to moderation. According to MacArthur, it can mean contentment with generosity toward others, or mercy toward others’ faults and failures, and even patience when suffering unjustly. Think graciousness and humility. A willingness to yield despite having every right to be first in line. Hmm, Who does THAT sound like? (Feel free to flip back to Philippians 2:1-11 just in case it slipped your mind.)

Check out how the writers of the NT use this word epieikes. Paul tells his boy Tim how “an overseer must be…not a drunkard, not violent but gentle (Gr. epieikes), not quarrelsome, not a lover of money” (1Tim 3:2, 3). Later he encourages Titus to tell folks in his congregation “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle (Gr. epieikes), and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2). Jesus’ kid brother James writes how God’s wisdom “is first pure, then peaceable, gentle (Gr. epieikes), open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere” (James 3:17). Peter tells us to be good employees whether our bosses are “good and gentle (Gr. epieikes) but also to the unjust” (1Pet 2:18). 

Don’t mistake “gentle” for “doormat.” You may have the ability to fight for first place doesn’t mean it’s the best thing to do. Paul says just because you can doesn’t mean you should. God gives the followers of Jesus an inner strength and power to step back and let others get the win. Check out how the Message puts this part of the verse. “Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them” (v5 The Message). Instead of a wimpy weakling, picture a 300-pound pulling guard ready to pancake a linebacker so his teammate can get to the end zone. “Doormat?” I think not!

If we’re going to be in the headlines for something, it should be for clearing the way for others to succeed. “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (v5). The Kardashians may be famous for simply being famous (how in the world does THAT happen?!?), we’re to earn a rep for unselfishness. Let the watching world see just how gentle and gracious you are. “Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit)” (v5 AMP).In other words, Paul wants his readers to become famous for following Jesus by being Jesus to their friends and neighbors.

Take a look around. Who needs your help? Who’s struggling to just to stay in the race much less finish first? Who has Jesus placed in your life that you can assist and get the win? And think back to those people who’ve been there for you when you were down for the count after life sucker punched you. Where would you be without these folks who weren’t worried about winning and came to your rescue?

The apostle seems to drop a phrase out of nowhere that initially doesn’t make any sense. “The Lord is at hand” (v5). This can mean a couple of things. He’s either saying that Christ is just about to make His long-promised encore or He’s closer than we realize. In other words, the word here (Gr. eggus) can mean refer to either time (about to arrive) or space (right around the corner). Well, our Savior did say once everything was in place, He would make His spectacular comeback (Mk 13:3-31). In the meantime, “Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come” (Mk 13:33). Or Paul could be talking about how our risen Lord is right here with us. Just before He physically headed home to heaven, Jesus promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). Whether we’re talking time or space, Jesus is right around the corner. 

Until Christ comes back, let’s do what we can to earn a rep for reasonableness. Let’s be known for humbly helping others win in life. Let’s be known for Christlike unselfishness. Let’s be famous for serving others. Isn’t that reasonable?

Don't Drop the Gloves

“to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2)

Hockey in the seventies was an absolute brawling bloodbath. Back in the day, every team had a goon. His job was simple. Beat the living snot out of anybody who even looked crossways at one of his teammates. Some teams like the Philadelphia Flyers had an entire roster of guys willing to drop the gloves and fight. They earned a reputation as the Broad Street Bullies. In his letter to Titus, Paul instructs him that this is exactly the opposite of what Jesus calls us to. Cut the the trash talk. Stop looking for a fight. Be kind and considerate. Not just to your teammates. Not just to people you like. To everybody. 

Don’t drop the gloves. Show the love.

You don’t exactly need to do a Greek word study to understand what the apostle is saying here. It means what it says. It says what it means. Once God puts us under the waterfall of His grace, we’re changed. Here in chapter three of his note to Titus, Paul gives us a picture of what a Christ follower looks like. First of all, we’re good citizens who are ready and willing to do good things and God things for those around us (Titus 3:1). 

In the next verse, we read that there are at least a couple of regular activities we need to eliminate for our daily routine. At the top of the list, I’m to “speak evil of no one” (v2). It’s interesting that the verb here is blasphemeo. If that looks like blasphemy, there’s a good reason. When I normally think of blasphemy, usually I understand that to be trashing God’s reputation. Earlier Paul tells Titus “that the older ladies should teach young women that the Word of God may not be reviled (Gr. blasphemeo)” (Titus 2:5). But it’s clear that God has a zero tolerance blasphemy policy toward anybody. Remember Aretha Franklin’s famous line to Jake and Elwood in “The Blues Brothers.” “Don’t you blaspheme in here! Don’t you blaspheme in here!” God does not want us talking smack about other folks to their face or behind their back. 

Well, there certainly have to be exceptions, right? We can’t be talking about my weird neighbor. You know that crazy cat lady down at the corner, don’t you? What about that person who hurt me so deep that I don’t think I’ll ever get over it? This certainly doesn’t include that cheating spouse, does it? The accountant who stole my life savings? The drunk driver who killed my child? Let’s take another look at the verse and see if Paul gives us a clue. “To speak evil of NO ONE” (v2, emphasis added). Well, that sure seems like an all inclusive list. No loopholes. No exceptions. Stop your griping. Stop your whining. Stop your gossiping. Follow Aretha’s advice. “Don’t you blaspheme in here! Don’t you blaspheme in here!”

We’re not just to turn off our verbal flamethrower. As followers of Jesus, we should “avoid quarreling” (v2). A closer look at the original language reveals the word amachos. It literally means “no (a-) fighting (-machos).” The term describes someone who is peaceful, not a brawler, not contentious, and who abstains from fighting. Over in a very similar note to Pastor Tim, Paul writes how an overseer must be held to a higher stand and “not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome (Gr. amachos), not a lover of money” (1Tim 3:3). Believers aren’t hockey goons, skating around and looking to throw down. We’re not looking to fight. We’re not hoping for conflict. Be a non-fighter.

Don’t drop the gloves. Show the love.

Instead of trolling for a so called “dance partner,” Jesus calls us “to be gentle” (v2). The Greek word here (Gr. epieikes) means to give up your place in or on something. Think of offering someone your seat. As follower of Jesus, we give. We don’t take. Don’t be a bully. Stop stealing their lunch money. Stop being a punk. Stop being a hockey goon. Just because you’re stronger, doesn’t mean you should throw your weight around. Instead, be kind. Be sympathetic. Be considerate. Show grace. Show compassion. Paul tells his friends over in Philippi, “Let your gentleness (Gr. epieikes) be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Phil 4:5 NIV). 

Just in case we weren’t paying attention, Paul hits us with his velvet hammer of gentleness a second time. “Show perfect courtesy toward all people” (v2). Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just saying “please” or “thank you.” This isn’t simply holding the door for someone or playing the good Boy Scout by walking the old lady across the street. The word here (Gr. prautes) describes gentle friendliness, considerateness, and accommodating another’s weakness. It’s serving and loving someone right where they are. This is putting others’ needs ahead of my own. It’s a “me third” attitude. That means God first, others second, and me third. It’s walking behind the parade of life with a bucket and a shovel. It’s being a servant. Once again, don’t miss the fact that the apostle leaves no wiggle room or loopholes. I’m not simply considerate and courteous to folks who are nice to me. I’m to “show perfect courtesy TOWARD ALL PEOPLE” (v2 emphasis added). God has made every last one of us in His image (Gen 1:26-27). Every single person we lock eyes with is someone for whom Jesus died.

But there are a couple of problems here that we have to admit. Our culture has duped us into thinking that gentleness is being a wuss. But in so many cases, being gentle is expressed by the one who has the position of strength and leverage. Just because they can use their power against someone, doesn’t mean they should. Think of the religious thugs known as the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus dealt with. I think we all need to take a long and uncomfortable look in the mirror as ask ourselves if we’re spiritual bullies. People are broken and bruised. They need a Savior not a slugger. The other issue is that so many of us hide behind masks of intimidation. We play the bully when the truth is we’re broken. Chances are the person who torments you is hiding behind their own pain. Will Bowen hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “Hurt people hurt people.” 

Don’t drop the gloves. Show the love. Show the love of Jesus.

This Is a Holdup!

...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing one another in love (Eph 4:2).

During a robbery, criminals steal everything of value they can get their grubby little hands on.  Smash and grab.   Take.  Take!  TAKE!!  But Paul’s describing a completely different kind of holdup here.  This caper is not about taking but giving.  This holdup is to be executed “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing one another in love” (v2).  Humility.  Gentleness.  Patience.  Love.  No taking.  Only giving.  

This is a holdup!

Before we examine the crime scene, let’s back up just a bit.  Paul is teaching us how to walk all over again.  He’s writing to his friends back in Ephesus about what it looks like to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph 4:1).  From his cell in Rome, the apostle has spent the first three chapters letting us know just who Jesus is, what He’s done, who we were before He saved us and who we are in Christ.  To jump right into the commands that begin here in this chapter without the proper perspective would be simply brutal.  To try to obey these orders without Jesus is just legalism.  That’s what folks call salvation by works.  Not only is it exhausting and oppressive, it’s absolutely impossible!!  That’s why Paul’s letters to the churches begin by a glorious portrait of that radical and risen Rabbi from Nazareth.  

Once you and I see Jesus for who He really is, it changes how we see everything.  Ourselves.  Others.  Our place in life.  Our work.  That’s specifically important to Paul because he’s trying to inoculate the Ephesian church against a nasty heresy that’s making the rounds.  A false gospel of self-salvation has done a lot of damage in churches just down the road in Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis.  The apostle knows that once we take a long, deep look at Jesus, we won’t be fooled by counterfeits.

Meanwhile, back at the holdup.  This becomes obvious when we examine the evidence at the scene.  Check out the phrase “bearing one another in love” (v2).  The Greek verb here is anechomai.  While you can translate this to mean to endure, it’s more than that.  To sustain, lift up, hold up under possible difficulty, give patient attention to, endure with self-restraint.  When we live life with other folks, we truly need support from each other.  We can’t do it alone.  We sustain each other.  We lift up each other.  We hold each other up when times are tough.  So it’s a holdup.  But not THAT kind of a holdup.  We don’t take.  We give.

This is a holdup!

Can we be brutally honest?  Good.  Life with other Christians is messy, frustrating and often infuriating.  While you would hope that living around folks who’ve submitted to the leadership of Jesus would be all rose petals and rainbows, it’s far from it.  People still lie.  People still cheat.  People still sin.  And that’s just the way it’s gonna be on this side of eternity.  Jesus has saved me and placed me in a church with a motley crew of knuckleheads, morons, idiots and weirdos.  And they’re thinking the same about me!!!  That’s EXACTLY why we need endure each other.  We need to be patient with each other.  Life is a big steaming pile a lot of the time.  Let’s lift each other up.

Paul makes it clear that this holdup is done “in love” (v2).  That’s the self-giving, self-sacrificing, put-others-first-and-me-last love.  Agape love.  Over in his letter to the church in Colossae, the apostle wraps up a list of the wardrobe each believer must wear.  And there’s one final and important accessory.  “Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col 3:14).  As love bandits, we don’t take.  We give.

This is a holdup!

So what kind of evidence do we find at the scene?  The first is humility.  The original text uses the word tapeinophrosune.  You don’t find this noun anywhere outside of the New Testament.  Chances are Paul coined the term himself because there was no other word in the Greco-Roman culture that described the kind of humble attitude found among Jesus’ followers.  It’s actually a mashup of two other Greek words: “low” (Gr. tapeino-) “mind” (Gr. -phrosune).  We’re called to lift each other up by lowliness of mind.  This is modesty, having a humble opinion of one’s self, a deep sense of one’s moral littleness, a quality of voluntary submission and unselfishness and a complete lack of arrogance.  I can’t lift someone up when I’m fighting to be on top.  I can only support them when I’m underneath.  

God calls us to humility.  He calls us to a “low mind.”  “In humility (Gr. tapeinophrosune) count others more significant than yourselves” (Phil 2:3).  Humility is an essential part of the ensemble the apostle lists over in Colossians (Col 3:12).  There’s an old country song called “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble.”  Truer words have never been spoken.  It is VERY hard to be humble.  But Jesus did it (Phil 2:5-8).  And He did it for you and me.  The other important aspect about humility is what happens when we fail to get down off our high horse.  “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1Pet 5:5).  Anytime God is my enemy, I’m gonna lose every single, stinking time.

The next piece of evidence at the scene is “gentleness” (v2).  This means meekness, mildness, gentle friendliness, strength that accommodates another’s weakness and considerateness.  Let’s be VERY clear about something.  Paul is not telling you to be a wuss.  He’s not commanding you to be a wimp.  He’s not demanding you to be a doormat.  He knows the tremendous power that lives inside of you: the Holy Spirit (Col 3:16).  This very same source of mind-boggling energy who “raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you” (Rom 8:11).  We need to remember to not bulldoze those around us with the power of God that dwells in each one of us.  We must accommodate the weakness of those around us.  Strength under control.  Paul lists this trait in the fruit of Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (Gr. praotes), self control; against such things there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23).  Notice the combination of gentleness and self-control as next door neighbors.  That’s no coincidence.  Gentleness is strength under control.

The next piece we see at the scene is “patience” (v2).  This is another compound Greek word: makrothumia.  “Far off” (Gr. makro-) “burning anger” (Gr. -thumia).  Think of a long fuse.  A fire in the distant future.  It describes longsuffering, endurance, steadfastness and perseverance.  Numerous times in the Old Testament, folks praise God for long fuse.  “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex 34:6).  We see it again in Num 14:18; Ps 86:15; Jer 15:15.  As God remakes us into the image of His Son, He’s giving us a long fuse too.  

I have to be transparent here.  Too many times, my apparent humility is just a front.  I want to My gentleness is really just passive aggressiveness.  And I have very little patience in most cases.  I quit on people.  I give up on them.  There’s been some improvement.  But it’s been frustratingly slow.  But Jesus has shown me so much humility, so much gentleness, so much patience.  He’s held me up in His divine, self-giving love.  And He’s used His church to do it too.

There’s been a holdup.