Gospel witness is privilege and imperative. Called to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us from darkness to light we are ambassadors for Christ. Peter reminds us that the medium of the message is very important. He puts in front of us two critical evangelistic postures that need emphasis.
โBut in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,ย always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yetย do it withย gentlenessย andย respectโ (1 Pet 3:15).
Gentlenessย should mark the sharing of our faith with others. To grasp this important posture and character trait we need to look at the original language and the New Testament examples of it.
Theย Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testamentย says this about the Greek word translated as gentleness (ฯฯฮฑฮฐฯฮทฯ).
โPraวtฤs, according to Aristotle, is the middle standing between two extremes, getting angry without reason, and not getting angry at all. Therefore,ย praวtฤsย is getting angry at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right reason.ย Praวtฤsย is not readily expressed in English (since the term โmeeknessโ suggests weakness), but it isย a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness, not in weakness, but in power. It is a balance born in strength of character.โ
Theย Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testamentย defines gentleness as โaย quality of gentle friendliness, asย strength that accommodates to anotherโs weakness,ย consideration.โ
Gentleness is not a lack of power, it is not weakness. It is strength under control. It is power employed for the sake of others. It is discernible in balance. It is a close cousin to humility. It is welcoming and hospitable. It is intimate with kindness and well acquainted with self-control.
The New Testament utilizes the language of gentleness around 30 times.ย Gentleness is a quality of God (2 Sam 22:36, Ps 18:35, Is 40:11) manifest most clearly in the person of Christ (Matt 11:29, 2 Cor 10:1). It is also characteristic of the Holy Spirit who works that same quality out in usย (Gal 5:23).
It is a posture necessary toย walk worthy of our calling (Eph 4:2, Tit 3:2, 1 Pet 3:4). It needs to be present when correcting a brother/sister who is straying into sin (Gal 6:1). It is the indicatorย of true wisdom (James 3:17). It is the mark of good ministry (1 Thess 2:7) and good pastorsย (1 Tim 3:3).
Respectย is clear and more directlyย carries over into English.ย The word forย respect (ฯฯฮฒฮฟฯ) is often translated as fear, reverence or honor. It speaks to holding another in high regard, to treating with dignity, and valuing highly. In the context it may refer to our reverence for God in our sharing or to the dignity we grant everyone with whom we share.ย Both are true and may be contained within the text.
Respect and gentleness are a compelling duo in evangelism.ย When emphasizingย howย we share and defend our faith Peter pulls these two characteristics center stage. Together they create parameters that ensure that the gospel alone is the only stumbling block for those hearing the message (1 Cor 1:23).