10 Key Bible Verses on Gentleness

This article is part of the Key Bible Verses series.

All commentary notes adapted from the ESV Study Bible.

1. Ephesians 4:1–3

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Read More

Humility was regarded as distasteful by the pagan world of Paul’s day. Pride was more highly prized. All of the virtues mentioned—humility, gentleness, patience, and most of all, love—were displayed in Christ’s own character and are to be evident in the daily walk of every Christian.

2. Gal. 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. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Read More

The Spirit fights against sin not merely in defense but also in attack by producing in Christians the positive attributes of godly character, all of which are evident in Jesus in the Gospels. Gentleness is a quality Jesus attributes to himself in Matt. 11:29; it enables people to find rest in him and to encourage and strengthen others.

3. Titus 3:1–2

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Read More

Proper Living, Particularly with Respect to Outsiders. Paul returns to describing “gospel living,” this time with reference to interaction with outsiders. In general the qualities encouraged here (Tit.3:1–2) are in contrast to the description of the false teachers in Tit.1:10–16.

ready for every good work. Whereas the false teachers are “unfit for any good work” (Tit. 1:16), one of the purposes of the cross is to create a people “zealous for good works” (Tit. 2:14).

The list closes with a call to take the initiative to show all manner of good to all sorts of people. Perfect courtesy (Gk. prautēta) is a good translation of an often misunderstood word literally meaning “meekness/gentleness.”

4. Proverbs 15:4

A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
     but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Read More

A gentle tongue . . . perverseness. A gentle, rightly spoken word will often bring life and healing, but gentle speech can also be used to mask perverse intent—crushing the spirit, damaging morale, and causing injury.

5. Isaiah 40:11

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
     he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
     and gently lead those that are with young. Read More

The glorious Lord comes to his people as a conquering king, a generous benefactor, and a gentle shepherd.

6. Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Read More

yoke. The wooden frame joining two animals (usually oxen) for pulling heavy loads was a metaphor for one person’s subjection to another, and a common metaphor in Judaism for the law. The Pharisaic interpretation of the law, with its extensive list of proscriptions, had become a crushing burden (Matt. 23:4) but was believed by the people to be of divine origin. Jesus’ yoke of discipleship, on the other hand, brings rest through simple commitment to him (cf. 1 John 5:3).

7. 1 Timothy 6:11–12

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Read More

The reference to Timothy as a man of God affirms his authority and stands in contrast with the false teachers, who are not men of God. “Man of God” is used often in the OT of a prophet (e.g., Deut. 33:1; 1 Sam. 9:6; Ps. 90:1). The call to fight the good fight of the faith and to take hold of the eternal life involves both fleeing from sin and vigorously pursuing virtue (cf. note on 2 Tim. 2:22).

8. 1 Peter 3:3–4

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. Read More

Do not let your adorning be external. Peter’s instructions here were common in his day (see Seneca, Epistles, To Helvia 16.3–4; Dio Chrysostom, Orations 7.117; Juvenal, Satire 6.457–463; 490–511; Plutarch, Advice to Bride and Groom, Moralia 141E; Epictetus, Handbook 40). Such “external . . . adorning” can be witnessed in portraits and sculptures from the first century, where the elaborate braiding of women’s hair and the wearing of ostentatious jewelry was common in upper-class Roman society. In contrast to this, the Christian woman should focus on inner (hidden) beauty of the heart. What matters to God is the godly character of the wife, characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit. It is clear that Peter is not literally prohibiting all braiding of hair or all wearing of gold jewelry, because if this were the case the same prohibition would apply also to wearing clothing! Instead, Peter warns against both an inordinate preoccupation with personal appearance and material excess in such matters.

9. Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turns away wrath,
     but a harsh word stirs up anger. Read More

Harsh word (Prov.15: 1) is lit., “word of pain,” that is, a word that is hurtful. Words wisely chosen promote calm interactions rather than provoking anger (Prov.15:1), they instruct by example (Prov. 15:2), and they encourage rather than discourage (Prov. 15:4).

10. 1 Peter 3:15

. . . but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect . . . Read More

Believers should always be ready to provide a rationale for their faith, but they should do so winsomely and righteously. And if they keep a good conscience, any accusations against them will prove groundless, and their accusers will be put to shame. It is sometimes God’s will that Christians suffer for doing good.

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