My grandfather Paul Faris (1916–2010) was ordained a Reformed Presbyterian pastor in 1944. He and young peers were troubled by the rancorous tone of the Reformed Presbyterian Synod meetings in the early days of their ministries. Together, they committed to do their best to change the atmosphere of the church courts. They sought to leave a legacy of gentleness.

Gentleness is not the absence of anger. Instead, it is something that must be exuded. The New Testament words translated “gentle” are usually used in the context of communication. The gentle person keeps lines of communication open; he is approachable, even to opponents or strangers. He is more than just nice. People seek him out because he carries himself in such a way that others know he has something worth sharing and that he will transmit it wisely. Neither the loud, insensitive, rough person nor the withdrawn, shy person qualifies as gentle.

“Who is wise and understanding among you?” James 3:13 asks in contrast to people who set the world aflame with vile and divisive words from their tongues (and now tweets). Christians are to show their “works in the meekness [gentleness] of wisdom” (3:13). We are urged not to “boast and be false to the truth” like earthly, unspiritual, and demonic so-called wisdom does. If we are filled with bitter jealousy and self-ambition, disorder and vile practices will follow.

James contrasts the world’s wisdom with the wisdom from above that is, among other characteristics, gentle (3:17). Thomas Manton expands on the contrast: “When men stand upon terms of extreme right, contentions are engendered, and all patience is lost. This gentleness, then, is opposite to severity of practices, and rigor of censures, and insobriety of disputes.” The word carries the sense of one who has mercy that rises above what justice could require. The spirit of the law is valued with the letter of the law.

Paul writes, “let your reasonableness [gentleness] be known to everyone” in the context of helping the Philippians deal with Euodia and Syntyche’s disagreement (Phil. 4:5). Elders especially need to exude gentleness as they shepherd the flock of God. They must lead the congregation to the ultimate intent of God’s Word rather than angrily driving people toward being merely correct (1 Tim. 3:3).

The other Greek word translated “gentle” or “meek” is found in James 3:13. It is fruit of the spirit seen in Galatians 5. Wilhelmus à Brakel observes that the root of this Greek word is “a derivative of the word ‘to transfer.’ ” The gentle person is one “who readily establishes contact with others and with whom others easily make contact in turn.”

How should we exercise wisdom that is gentle in life, according to the Scriptures? Our communication with rulers and authorities should be gentle rather than quarrelsome (Titus 3:1–2). A pastor must “not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness” (2 Tim. 2:24–26, see also 1 Cor. 4:21 and 2 Cor. 10:1). The whole church restores one caught in transgression with a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1). Our evangelism and apologetics, inside the home and out, must be flavored by gentle wisdom (1 Pet. 3:1–4, 14–17). Our hearers should want to continue the conversation because of our conduct and spirit. Finally, if the church is to experience unity, it must be full of wisdom that is gentle (Eph. 4:1–3).

What if people—children and adults—do not readily approach you regularly? It may be a sign that you need to grow in gentleness. How do Christians develop wisdom that is gentle? We take the yoke of Jesus by faith, for He is gentle and lowly in heart (Matt. 11:29). We receive with meekness the implanted word (Jas. 1:21), we pursue gentleness and fight for it (1 Tim. 6:11–12), and we consciously put it on each day (Col. 3:12).

Some say the column name and blog name Gentle Reformation is an oxymoron. But Scripture shows that reformation is communicated through gentle wisdom. Young pastors sought reformation in the spirit of the RP Synod some 75 years ago. By God’s grace, the Lord used them to change the tone of Synod in the 20th Century, in the opinion of many. Yet, each generation must continue to strive for gentleness. If the Reformed Presbyterian Church is to be ever-reforming according to Scripture, its members’ homes, its congregations, and its courts must be characterized by wisdom that is gentle.

James Faris | Second (Indianapolis, Ind.) RPC