5:23

mildness: An inward calmness and peaceableness that Christians exercise in their relationship with God and in their conduct toward fellow humans. (Ga 6:1; Eph 4:1-3; Col 3:12) Since mildness is an aspect of the fruitage of God’s spirit, it is not acquired by sheer willpower. A Christian cultivates mildness by drawing close to God, praying for his spirit, and cooperating with its influence. A mild person is not a coward or a weakling. The Greek word for “mildness” (pra·yʹtes) has the meaning of gentleness coupled with power, or strength under control. A related Greek word (pra·ysʹ) is rendered “mild-tempered” and “mild.” (Mt 21:5; 1Pe 3:4) Jesus described himself as mild-tempered (Mt 11:29); yet, he was by no means weak.​—See Mt 5:5 and study note.

self-control: The Greek word here rendered “self-control” appears four times in the Christian Greek Scriptures. (Ac 24:25; 2Pe 1:6) This quality has been defined as “restraint of one’s emotions, impulses, or desires.” The related Greek verb appears at 1Co 9:25 (see study note), where Paul says regarding athletic games: “Now everyone competing in a contest exercises self-control in all things.” This Greek verb is also used in the Septuagint at Ge 43:31, describing how Joseph “controlled himself.” The Hebrew verb used at Ge 43:31 is also used at Isa 42:14, where Isaiah describes Jehovah as saying: “I . . . restrained myself.” Instead of taking immediate action against wrongdoers, Jehovah has allowed time to pass so that they might have the opportunity to turn from their bad ways and thereby gain his favor.​—Jer 18:7-10; 2Pe 3:9.

Against such things there is no law: There is no law that can restrict the extent to which Christians can cultivate the qualities produced by God’s spirit. All these qualities harmonize fully with the law of love set out in the Mosaic Law (Le 19:18; De 6:5) and in “the law of the Christ” (Ga 6:2; Joh 13:34). The expression “such things” implies that the fruitage of Jehovah’s spirit is not limited to the nine aspects listed here. The Christian personality is made up of these and other qualities, all of which are produced with the help of the holy spirit.​—Eph 4:24, 32; 5:9; Col 3:12-15; Jas 3:17, 18.