EXPOSITION:

Apostle Paul, who used to persecute the church and later encountered Jesus Christ, appealed to the church of Corinthians in the meekness and gentleness of Christ. From the popular events in the Bible concerning Paul, one could realise that he was the aggressive type yet he confronted the church in a gentle and meek way.

How aggressive and repulsive one may be does not guarantee how effective his actions may be. Some characteristics in the four temperaments (choleric, sanguine, melancholy and phlegmatic) are essential for leadership positions. However, these qualities should not control the whole personality. When such qualities take one to the top, let us not forget it is God who created us and embedded them into us knowing it fits the purpose for which He brought us on earth. Even with that, He admonishes us to be meek as He is in our second text.

Paul addressed the church in a gentle and meek way knowing that it is not the one who commends himself who is approved but one whom the Lord approves. Beloved let us not be taken away by the good qualities God has deposited into us through grace and boast in them as to seek the attention of men. Rather, let our ways be pleasant in the sight of the faithful one who has called us so that we can receive His commendation and grace.

The matured Christian is the one who allows the Holy Spirit to influence his temperament even when he is moved by his temperamental weaknesses. Christians are to be careful not to allow their temperamental traits to make them popular. Our popularity is fused in Christ’s meekness and gentleness.