You are Called to Gentleness and Patience (Ephesians 4:2)

In Ephesians 4, Paul describes the calling with which you have been called and also gives five key “tests” that your life should be marked with.

In this study, we examine gentleness and patience and explain how these two attributes work together and should mark the life of every Christian.

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Key Passage: Ephesians 4:1-3

Ephesians 4:1-3 – Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

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A Simple Bible Study Resource

• Patience
  • Makrothymia – patience, steadfastness, forbearance, endurance, constancy, perseverance; a patient endurance of pain or unhappiness
  • — there are couple different words in the Greek for “patience” but this word (makrothymia) has an emphasis on suffering long
  • Webster1828 gives some insight: Endurance without murmuring or fretfulness (distress/irritation); An inner calm which bears circumstances and problems without grumbling – being content in your circumstances; The ability to wait; Perseverance; The quality of bearing offenses and injuries without anger or revenge; A willingness to suffer
  • Tensile Strength: the maximum stress that a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled before failing or breaking
    • climbing rope
    • can’t produce it = it is a fruit of the Spirit
    • Galatians 5:22–23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
• Gentleness
  • Prautēs – acting in a manner that is gentle, mile, even-tempered; meekness; considerate
  • The Opposite Spirit – it’s softness when struck with hardness, mildness when hit with harshness, and a gentle word when belted with a spiteful word.  Gentleness is divine control and governance over the inner man, holding the flesh in check that it not be given voice or strength in the matter.  [From Eric Ludy]
  • 2 Timothy 2:24–26 – The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
  • Galatians 6:1 – Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
  • Titus 3:1–2 – Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
  • Philippians 4:5 – Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
    • (different word)
• Two Emphasis in Gentleness
  • 1. A softness of temper 
    • This was the original idea of a gentleman
      • a quiet and gentle spirit
      • an inner humility and calm despite your circumstances
      • one who will associate with anyone, no feelings of superiority
      • meekness is not weakness
    • Greeks used this word to talk about a horse being broken
    • Power under control (harnessed)
    • Jesus was gentle
      • Matthew 11:29 – “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
        • ** yet Jesus wasn’t weak – demons trembled before Him, He conquered death
        • ** has nothing to do with physical strength
      • A fruit of the Spirit (can’t produce or discipline it)
        • Galatians 5:22–23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
• 2. Willingness to Suffer
  • a disposition of soul
  • a willing readiness to be the first sufferer
  • the exercise of patience
• The Progression
  • 1. I am called to a calling (Jesus) and my life is to be lived worthy (equal – balanced weight) with that calling
  • 2. Humility: my life is to be marked with the same humility of Jesus, being clothed and recognized as a person of humility – which is the heart of dependency.
  • 3. AND Gentleness: a gentle spirit with a willingness to suffer; strength and power harnessed and under control
  • 4. WITH Patience: not just a willingness to suffer but WITH patience itself, suffering long, enduring great weights without grumbling/murmuring/rolling eyes, etc
• What happens when I realize I am lacking?
  • Need to embrace the calling (Jesus)
  • 1 Timothy 6:11–12 – But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

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In Our Next Study Together …

I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your life, and learn how to practically live out an abundant and fruitful Christian life. 

• The focus of our next study: Ephesians 4:3
• We continue to look at how to live out our high and holy calling that Paul talks about in Ephesians 4:1-3.
• I encourage you to read through Ephesians a couple of times this week and focus specifically on Ephesians 4.

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About The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series

The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series in Ephesians is a Christ-centered practical in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Join NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) as he expositionally preaches from this incredible book – which will help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, and understand how to study God’s Word.

Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. Deeper Christian equips Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.

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About NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson)

NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps Christians discover and experience a passionate love for God and His Word so that they can grow in their faith, live victorious lives, share the Gospel boldly, grow in their intimacy with Jesus, and transform the world through the indwelling life of Christ.
Read more about him here.