A Spirit of Unity and Forgiveness Ephesians 4:1-3 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

A Spirit of Unity and Forgiveness Lowliness (Humility) – Phil. 2:1-3 Gentleness - 2 Tim. 2:24-26 Lowliness – “1) the having a humble opinion of one’s self 2) a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness 3) modesty, humility, lowliness of mind (Thayer) Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Gentleness – “1) gentleness, mildness, meekness” (Thayer) Relates to the manner in which we receive injuries. Enabling us to bear injuries without anger or a desire of revenge, or with a mild and forgiving spirit. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, (25) in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, (26) and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

A Spirit of Unity and Forgiveness Lowliness (Humility) – Phil. 2:1-3 Gentleness – 2 Tim. 2:24-26 Longsuffering – 1 Thess. 5:14-15 Bearing with – Col. 3:12-13 Longsuffering – 1) to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart 1a) to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles 1b) to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others 1b1) to be mild and slow in avenging 1b2) to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish (Thayer) 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (14) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. (15) See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Bearing with – “1) to hold up 2) to hold one’s self erect and firm 3) to sustain, to bear, to endure” (Thayer) The idea is putting up with. Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

A Spirit of Unity and Forgiveness Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Longsuffering – 1) to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart 1a) to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles 1b) to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others 1b1) to be mild and slow in avenging 1b2) to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish (Thayer) 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (14) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. (15) See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Bearing with – “1) to hold up 2) to hold one’s self erect and firm 3) to sustain, to bear, to endure” (Thayer) The idea is putting up with. Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

A Spirit of Unity and Forgiveness Bitterness – Heb. 12:14-15 Wrath – Acts 19:28-29 Bitterness – “1) bitter gall 1a) extreme wickedness 1b) a bitter root, and so producing a bitter fruit 1c) metaphorically bitterness, bitter hatred” (Thayer) Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (15) looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; Wrath – “1) passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again” (Thayer) Acts 19:28-29 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" (29) So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions.

A Spirit of Unity and Forgiveness Bitterness – Heb. 12:14-15 Wrath – Acts 19:28-29 Anger – James 1:19-20 Clamor – Acts 23:9 Anger – “1) anger, the natural disposition, temper, character 2) movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but especially anger” (Thayer) James 1:19-20 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; (20) for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Clamor – “1) a crying, outcry, clamour” (Thayer) Acts 23:9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God."

A Spirit of Unity and Forgiveness Bitterness – Heb. 12:14-15 Wrath – Acts 19:28-29 Anger – James 1:19-20 Clamor – Acts 223:9 Evil Speaking – 1 Tim. 6:3-5 Malice - Titus 3:3 Evil Speaking – “1) slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name” (Thayer) 1 Timothy 6:3-5 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, (4) he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, (5) useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Malice – “1) malignity, malice, ill-will, desire to injure” (Thayer) Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

A Spirit of Unity and Forgiveness Kind – Romans 2:4 Tenderhearted – 1 Peter 3:8-9 Kind – “mild, pleasant (as opp. to harsh, hard sharp, bitter)” (Thayer) Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Tenderhearted – “compassionate, tender hearted” (Thayer) 1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; (9) not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

A Spirit of Unity and Forgiveness Kind – Romans 2:4 Tenderhearted – 1 Peter 3:8-9 Forgiving – Matt. 18:21-22 Forgiving – “1) to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favour to, gratify 1a) to show one’s self gracious, kind, benevolent 1b) to grant forgiveness, to pardon 1c) to give graciously, give freely, bestow 1c1) to forgive 1c2) graciously to restore one to another 1c3) to preserve for one a person in peril” (Thayer) Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" (22) Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.