"Let your moderation be known unto all men." Phil. 4:5
I've always wondered about this word "moderation", and took it to mean something like, avoid extremes.
I thought it was interesting that in the French Bible "douceur" (sweetness) was used in place of moderation, and other English Bible translations use words such as unselfishness, gentleness, kindness, graciousness, considerateness or reasonableness. This helped me to understand the passage better.
In the January Liberator magazine on page 6 Samuel Greenwood writes:
"God expects every man to do his duty; that is, to express his full measure of sweetness, purity, love, goodness, and all the other Godlike qualities which make up the man of God's creating."
Interesting that the author started his list with sweetness!
DaleW
169 posts
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Location: n.a.
02/12/2015 15:49
Re: 'Let your moderation be known…'
Thank you for this, Susanne. I thought the same regarding the word, moderation; and I love these other definitions! Read this post first thing in the morning, and the idea of keeping "sweet" resolved a strained situation into love and peace!
MaryBeth
795 posts
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Location: n.a.
Editor
02/12/2015 21:58
Re: 'Let your moderation be known…'
Mrs. Eddy had at one time told her students to "bleed sweetly" by this meaning not to let the trials and unjust criticisms of the day cause them to become in any way bitter or to allow it to harden their hearts. I sometimes need to remind myself of this wise and important counsel.
Fairlie
94 posts
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Location: n.a.
02/12/2015 22:02
Re: 'Let your moderation be known…'
As Mrs. Eddy points out, Shakespeare uses the word "sweet" --"Sweet are the uses of adversity" and Mrs. Eddy goes on to say, "Trials are proofs of God's care." That is demonstrated in the story of Hanna and recognizing this is consoling and encouraging as we walk forward.
jacob45
370 posts
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Location: puerto limon Costa Rica
02/12/2015 23:23
Re: 'Let your moderation be known…'
Strong´s gives epieikes: appropriate, gentle, patient. Moderation only once in the Bible.
barbw
22 posts
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Location: n.a.
02/13/2015 10:19
Re: 'Let your moderation be known…'
Thank you Suzanne. I don't remember ever thinking of God, or His likeness, in terms is sweet or sweetness before and didn't notice it in The Liberator. What a helpful idea.
