Christ's Meekness as the Standard of Apostolic Authority

Paul appeals to the Corinthians by Christ's meekness and gentleness—a remarkable standard for people converted only years earlier from gross idolatry. Yet this appeal reveals something profound: the preacher refers always back to Christ as the source of all authority and influence. When Christians face perplexity, we ask, What did Christ do? and our course becomes clear.

Paul had been attacked; his enemies strove to overturn his authority and destroy his influence. Any true-hearted man might have vindicated himself with stinging words. But Paul would not. He determined to conquer through the gentleness which Christ ever manifested to the erring. He had experienced this personally—years later he would write, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Timothy 1:12–16), remembering how tenderly the Saviour had treated even him.

Consider Christ's life itself. John the Baptist declared, "Behold the Lamb of God!"—what creature more meek and gentle than a lamb? Christ said of Himself, "I am meek and lowly of heart." Though despised, rejected, a Man of sorrows acquainted with grief, He was never ruffled by injuries to Himself. When the helpless were oppressed, He stood ready to defend them. He scathed the Pharisees, yet immediately afterward broke out in maternal anguish: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets." To the very close of life, He remained the same—meekness and gentleness incarnate.