Comparison of Love, Care, Gentleness, Tenderness, and Sweetness in the Bible

 

Comparison of Love, Care, Gentleness, Tenderness, and Sweetness in the Bible

Philippians 2:20 "...who will genuinely care for your welfare"

Matthew 11:29 "I am gentle and humble in heart"

1 Thessalonians 2:7 "Like a nursing mother taking care of her own children"

Ephesians 4:29 "Let only what is good for building up others come out of your mouths" 

Characteristic	Love	Care	Gentleness	Tenderness	Sweetness
Meaning	Unconditional emotion and commitment, God's essence	Deep concern and mindfulness derived from love	Mild attitude, not harsh or forceful	Sensitive quality attentive to others' needs	Pleasant and amiable attitude and speech
Function	Foundation of all virtues, connects people with God and others	Makes love concrete, bringing practical care	Makes one approachable, reduces conflict	Perceives others' feelings, adjusts attitude accordingly	Makes communication pleasant, builds harmony
Distinction	Broader principle of emotion and commitment	More concrete than love, with practical action	Outward attitude and manner of speech	Inner perceptiveness and responsive ability	Expression that gives pleasant feelings
Application	Sacrifice for others, forgiveness, acceptance	Deep care, practical help, consideration	Speaking tactfully, avoiding provocative words	Attending to details, adapting approach as needed	Communicating with gentle, pleasing words
Interrelationship	Foundation and source of other qualities	Practical attitude developed from love	One outward expression of care	Deep manifestation of care and gentleness	Outward expression of gentleness and tenderness
Examples	Jesus crucified for sinners Good Samaritan caring for the wounded traveler Ruth's loyalty to Naomi	Paul's deep concern for the Corinthians Martha and Mary's care for Lazarus A mother's meticulous care for her child	Jesus' attitude toward the sinful woman Paul's expression in 2 Cor 7:8 Moses called "the most humble man on earth"	Paul's differentiated treatment of various churches Jesus sensing and responding to Nicodemus's doubts<br>Ruth's sensitive perception of Naomi's needs	Paul's sweet words in 2 Corinthians Benjamin's blessing, "his words are sweet" Jonathan and David's sweet friendship communion
Related Scriptures	1 John 4:8 "God is love" 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient..." John 3:16 "For God so loved the world..."	2 Cor 7:2-3 "Make room for us..." 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 "...we were ready to share with you not only the gospel but also our own selves"	Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is...gentleness" 2 Cor 7:8 "For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it"	Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted" Paul's tender feelings toward believers in 2 Cor 7:8-9	Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul" Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt"

 

Relationship Between Love, Care, Gentleness, Tenderness, and Sweetness

From the information provided, these qualities form a developmental sequence:

1.      Love is the foundation, God's essence, and the source of Christian virtue

2.      Care is the deepening and concretization of love, manifested as deep concern for others

3.      Gentleness is the natural expression of care, creating mildness in attitude

4.      Tenderness is a deeper inner quality, sensitive to perceiving others' needs

5.      Sweetness is the outward expression of gentleness and tenderness, making one's words and attitude pleasant

As shown in Paul's example in 2 Corinthians, true spiritual shepherding requires not only love but also this comprehensive care, gentleness, tenderness, and sweetness, similar to a mother's care for her children. These qualities are not mere courtesy or technique, but genuine attitudes from the heart.

 

*Please refer to Life-study of 2 Corinthians, Chapter 45, Deacons of the New Testament (14)