The Greek word the Bible often translates “gentle” is epiekes . It technically has a richer meaning than any English word. In the language of the day, it was used in a way similar to being kind, courteous or tolerant. Patience to endue injustice, mistreatment or disgrace. Yielding. Willingness to remain self-controlled when wronged. Humility. Someone once said it could be called “graciousness of humility.” This word shows up when describing the character of an elder who must not be “pugnacious, but gentle ( epiekes )” (1 Tim. 3:3). In Titus 3:2 we are “to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle ( epiekes ).” James tells us the wisdom that comes down from above is, “First pure, then peaceable, gentle” ( epiekes ). In Philippians 4:5 we are to “let [our] gentle ( epiekes ) spirit be known to all men.”