4:5a
Let your gentleness be apparent to all: That is, Paul wanted the Philippians to display a gentle attitude, to act in a patient way as they related to everyone, including unbelievers.
gentleness: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gentleness has a wide meaning. A gentle person means someone who is calm and moderate, who considers what others need and not just what he himself needs. It means someone who does not insist on his own rights or his own way of doing things. It also means someone who is reasonable and fair-minded, and patient when others misunderstand him.
be apparent: In languages with no passives it will be necessary to translate this with an active verb. Some ways to do this are:
Show all people that you are gentle.
-or-
Let everyone see that you are gentle.
to all: This means to all human beings, not just to all believers.
4:5b
The Lord is near: There are two ways to interpret this expression:
(1) It refers to time, that is, Paul expected the Lord to return to earth soon. (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)
(2) It refers to location. The Lord is close to all his people.
Most English versions are ambiguous, as is the Greek. If it is possible in your language, you could choose a word or phrase that can mean both close in space and close in time. However, if you must make a choice, choose interpretation (1). Paul probably meant that believers should continue to expect the Lord to return at any time. This should cause all believers to act properly as his true disciples.
The Lord: This refers to the Lord Jesus.
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