Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
moderation--from a Greek root, "to yield," whence yieldingness [TRENCH]; or from a root, "it is fitting," whence "reasonableness of dealing" [ALFORD], that considerateness for others, not urging one's own rights to the uttermost, but waiving a part, and thereby rectifying the injustices of justice. The archetype of this grace is God, who presses not the strictness of His law against us as we deserve (Psalms 130:3-4); though having exacted the fullest payment for us from our Divine Surety. There are included in "moderation," candor and kindliness. Joy in the Lord raises us above rigorism towards others (Philippians 4:5), and carefulness (Philippians 4:6) as to one's own affairs. Sadness produces morose harshness towards others, and a troublesome spirit in ourselves.
Let . . . be known--that is, in your conduct to others, let nothing inconsistent with "moderation" be seen. Not a precept to make a display of moderation. Let this grace "be known" to men in acts; let "your requests be made to God" in word (Philippians 4:6).
unto all men--even to the "perverse" (Philippians 2:15), that so ye may win them. Exercise "forbearance" even to your persecutors. None is so ungracious as not to be kindly to someone, from some motive or another, on some occasion; the believer is to be so "unto all men" at all times.
The Lord is at hand--The Lord's coming again speedily is the grand motive to every Christian grace (James 5:8-9). Harshness to others (the opposite of "moderation") would be taking into our own hands prematurely the prerogatives of judging, which belongs to the Lord alone (1 Corinthians 4:5); and so provoking God to judge us by the strict letter of the law (James 2:12-13).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
1 Corinthians 16:22
Philippians 4:5
1 Thessalonians 4:15
1 Timothy 3:3
Titus 3:2
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