Gentleness
GENTLENESS (Gr. epieikeia and prautēs). In English gentleness and meekness are closely related, and translations of these two Greek words make use of both. The adjective epieikēs occurs five times (Phil.4.5; 1Tim.3.3; Titus.3.2; Jas.3.17; 1Pet.2.18), and the noun epieikeia twice (Acts.24.4; 2Cor.10.1). The basic idea behind this word-group is the attitude that rises above standing on one’s rights in order to be conciliatory and to show forbearance: to be gentle and meek in the treatment of people.