Verse 2
Three virtues contribute to unity in the church. Humility is a proper assessment of oneself in God’s program.
"To face oneself is the most humiliating thing in the world." [Note: Barclay, p. 159.]
A humble Jew or Gentile would regard his ethnic counterpart as equal with himself, not as inferior or superior to himself. Gentleness is the opposite of self-assertion. A gentle person is one whose emotions are under control.
". . . meekness is a virtue of the strong, those who could exert force to get their own way but choose not to." [Note: Morris, p. 114.]
Meekness is "the absence of the disposition to assert personal rights, either in the presence of God or of men." [Note: G. G. Findlay, The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, p. 265.]
Patience is endurance even under affliction. When wronged, the patient person does not retaliate (cf. Galatians 5:22; Colossians 1:11; Colossians 3:12; 2 Timothy 4:2).
"Makrothumia, patience, long-suffering is the spirit which bears insult and injury without bitterness and without complaint. It is the spirit which bears the sheer foolishness of men without irritation. It is the spirit which can suffer unpleasant people with graciousness and fools without complaint." [Note: Barcley, p. 163-64.]
Believers should practice all these virtues with loving forbearance toward one another (cf. Romans 2:4).
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