What is gentleness in the Bible?

Gentleness (Greek: prautēs) is one of the nine fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Gentleness is strength under control. It's a humble, calm way of dealing with people that doesn't need to crush or win, like Jesus, who called Himself gentle and humble in heart.

What gentleness looks like

• A soft answer in tense moments
• Correcting with humility
• Patience with the fragile

Counterfeit: Being a pushover, or never telling the truth.

Opposite: Harshness, sarcasm and needing to win.

15 Bible verses about gentleness

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1 (WEB)

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Philippians 4:5 (WEB)

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29 (WEB)

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Colossians 4:6 (WEB)

The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,

2 Timothy 2:24 (WEB)

Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.

Galatians 6:1 (WEB)

to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.

Titus 3:2 (WEB)

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5 (WEB)

By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.

Proverbs 25:15 (WEB)

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear,

1 Peter 3:15 (WEB)

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James 3:17 (WEB)

He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring justice.

Isaiah 42:3 (WEB)

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 (WEB)

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24 (WEB)

Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21 (WEB)

3 ways to practise gentleness today

• Strength under control: Run one message you're about to send through Soften It.
• A soft answer: Next time a message makes you angry, draft your reply in Soften It before sending.
• Seasoned with grace: Rewrite one hard but honest message so it's clear and kind.

In the Ninefruit app, the gentleness journey has five stages and its own tool, Soften It: Paste or type a message before you send it. Soften It points out harsh patterns on your phone, then you rewrite it in your own words.

A prayer for gentleness

Jesus, make my words and my tone gentle like Yours.

Is gentleness your strongest fruit, or your growing one? Take the free test.