If you want to give your Greek students a Charlie Horse between the ears, ask them to define the word epieikes in Phil. 4:5. This has got to be the hardest word in all of Philippians to render into English. The term combines two words: epi, meaning "on" or "upon," and eikÅ, meaning "yield." The lexicons say that the term can express any number of ideas, including clemency, gentleness, graciousness, tolerance, indulgence, courtesy, modesty, leniency, reasonableness, magnanimity, kindliness, charitableness, good will, and friendly feelings. It's the opposite of meanness, selfishness, unkindness, malevolence, harshness, severity, and sternness. BDAG suggests "forbearing spirit" as the best translation. I love how the Hawaiian Pidgin version puts it: "Make everybody know dat day no need be scared wen dey talk to you guys, cuz you guys ack gentle wit everybody." My own paraphrase might read, "Let everybody -- believer and unbeliever alike -- see how gracious and considerate you are."
Gracious and considerate people act with kindness, empathy, and thoughtfulness toward others. They make others feel comfortable and valued. They show gratitude, listen attentively, and remain calm and respectful even in difficult situations. They avoid being hurtful. They remain composed even in stressful times. They use courteous language such as "please" and "thank you." They apologize sincerely when they are wrong. They forgive others instead of holding grudges.
I think back to Honolulu in the year 1965. It was a city in great need of change. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the Billy Graham Association was led to hold a crusade in the Blaisdell Arena. Yours truly sang every night in the mass choir. I immediately fell in love with Graham's preaching.
He must have uttered "The Bible says" 30 times during every message he gave. No one could preach like Billy Graham. At the conclusion of his messages, the arena floor would be flooded with people young and old who made their decision for Christ. The city changed. Repentance transformed lives. The crime rate plunged, and renewed lives began to do random acts of kindness toward each other. This wasn't just the "aloha spirit." This was the Holy Spirit.
If you are a teacher like me, please take what I've written to heart. Make being pleasant in the classroom a priority. By having a relaxed, poised, and encouraging demeanor, you will be the kind of teacher students will want to be around. Don't sweat the small stuff. Be willing to meet your students halfway. Be, as William Hendricksen put it, "big-hearted" to everyone you meet. Dr. Harry Sturz, one of my mentors at Biola, was the epitome of pleasantness.
He was always relaxed and had a gentle demeanor. His comments were always kind and supportive. And even though he was a brilliant scholar, he had no desire to make others feel inferior. He personified epieikes.
As a new semester begins, try to do that, okay? I'll try to do likewise.