Moderation…gentleness

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. – Philippians 4v5


So much can be told from our demeanour. Jude tells us to ‘earnestly contend for the faith,’ and we are told to ‘fight the good fight of faith.’ We see plenty of fighting and contending in the body. Though love is not easily provoked and though pastors are not to be brawlers, I can think of plenty of provoked “tough guys” who are ready to fight at the drop of a hat.

However, I think we see a different pattern in the word of God, especially here in Philippians. Modern translations use words like gentleness and reasonableness, which are both marvellous translations. Wycliffe and the Bishop’s Bible used ‘patience’ which is also a good choice.

I want to focus on the KJV choice of words here, which, in its time, may have best expressed the thought. The translators chose the word ‘moderation.’ When the word first appeared in the 14th century it had he understanding of ‘keeping within due measure.’ It relates the idea of an ‘even handedness.’ Clark’s commentary quotes a Dr Macknight who defines moderation as, ‘meekness under provocation, readiness to forgive injuries, equity in the management of business, candour in judging of the characters and actions of others, sweetness of disposition, and the entire government of the passions.’

It appears that the word means ‘keeping a balance, not controlled by passions and emotions.’ This moderation means that principles guide us, not passions. When principles, instead of passions, guide us we see men from God’s perspective. This kind of moderation makes us gentle, patient, and reasonable in our dealings with others because we are guided by Him instead of our flesh.

Passion makes us volatile, impatient, discontent, on a constant emotional roller coaster, never ever to find that sweet balance. Moderation makes us gentle, sweet, patient, and even handed, not tossed about by every circumstance that comes our way.


Moderation, gentleness, even handedness, patience, balance, and reasonableness. How often do we make these things known to all men?