Let your gentleness be known
to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let you requests
be made known to God; and the
peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will gaurd
your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7
The English word gentleness translated from the Greek is good but does not convey everything the Greek word does: έπιεικές, this word formed by two Greek words έπι and εικές, is an adjective therefore it describes the noun and the noun is "you." You, are to have gentleness, or as the Greek word notes: to be reasonable, fitting, equitable, fair, moderate, forebearing, not insisting on the letter of the law, to look at the facts of the case. This word is used also as a quality of the wisdom from above. To understand this word aids us to know how we as Authentic Christians are to exercise our faith. Next a most misused understanding of the word in English: "Anxious." μεριμνάτε, the Greek word translated "anxious," to take thought, to care, to be careful, to have a distracting care and is different from the Greek word for concern as is the English word different from concern towards anxious. As Authentic Christians we are not to be anxious, that is, to have a distracting care, and this is not to be confused with "concern," which is to be interested, to relate to something, or someone, to be connected. Just as sympathy is different from empathy, so these words are different, one being a poor use of one, and the other ensuring a person that he or she is taking care of the situation. For instance: sympathy while part of empathy is a poor way to aid another: example: a person is sitting on the curb crying and you sit down with that persona and begin to cry with them so as to help, nothing is helping, both are soon very depressed. Empathy on the other hand is good, for while you may feel some sympathy you express empathy, that is you give aid to the other person, you show them a way from this situation, or even help them in this situation to overcome it. The Greek word μεριμνάτε, is second person, present indicative, and imperative, so this Greek word is a command to start doing something and to continue doing it, and it is for every Authentic Christian, it is in the plural.
So much for the Greek lesson, but I do hope this will impress upon you the importance of both being gentle, and not to be anxious. Why? "The Lord is at hand" (vs. 5). You have Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit to help you to do what is commanded. Prayer, not just any prayer, but intercessory prayer, to supplicate, that is to be humble, to entreat earnestly both in words and action. This is done with "thanksgiving," and why not? You are asking of God in faith, not that He will do what you ask, but in faith that God will handle your prayer in the right way. Tell God, make it known and by your faith in God you will have a peace that is not understood for it surpasses all understanding (vs.7a). Your hearts and minds with be guarded, not by you, but by Jesus Christ (vs.7b).
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8). Did Paul leave anything out? No! What you think upon will be what you do, your heart will be filled with what you think about, and by your heart will that which you say and do be manifested.
The Bible is the word of God, preserved by Him providentially, and we live by His word, we do not attempt to make excuses or reasons why the Bible we hold in our hands is not the authentic word of God, for it is even when man has corrupted some of the translations. Textual Criticism can and is being used to determine what the original autographs were and men who have studied the oldest manuscripts and the variations from other manuscripts using, not rationalization, not presuppositions, rather the harmony found in the manuscripts have determined what the autographs were as close as they can and we then can have faith in their work. There are translations out there that people need to be aware of for they do not harmonize with the oldest manuscripts and over the years have had to make and are making many changes as they too have come to use good and proper textual criticism. You then can read those words of Paul and know that God is instructing you and I and our faith is in Him and His words that: "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled" (Matthew 5:18).
Go in the Peace of God
Richard L. Crumb
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