difficulty, whereas harshness would magnify the bad situation. The proverb says: “An answer, when mild, turns away rage, but a word causing pain makes anger to come up.” (Prov. 15:1) Mildness can have great force. “By patience a commander is induced, and a mild tongue itself can break a bone.”—Prov. 25:15.

ESSENTIAL WHEN UNDER DISCIPLINE

Another fine principle involving mildness or calmness is set forth by Solomon. It concerns the tendency we may have to show a rebellious spirit when corrected or chastised by one in authority. We may get so indignant as to leave our place of proper submission. But Solomon warns: “If the spirit of a ruler should mount up against you, do not leave your own place, for calmness itself allays great sins.” (Eccl. 10:4; compare Titus 3:2.) The proper attitude of calmness and mildness under discipline not only avoids further anger from the authority, but enables us to improve our personality through keeping our temper and our proper place and applying the discipline.

This is especially true when the ruler is Jehovah God and when discipline comes through those set in authority by him. (Heb. 12:7-11; 13:17) It also applies in our relationship to those permitted by God to wield worldly governing authority. (Rom. 13:1-7) Even when such a ruler may make a harsh demand of the Christian as to the reason for the hope he has, the Christian, while firmly putting obedience to God first, should answer “with a mild temper and deep respect.”—1 Pet. 3:15.

MILE

[Gr., miʹli·on].

A measure of distance. (Matt. 5:41) In the Scriptures the measure in question is probably the Roman mile (5,000 Roman feet; 4,860 English feet; 1,481 meters). At Luke 24:13; John 6:19; 11:18 the word miʹli·on does not appear in the Greek text, but the distance figures are given in terms of stadia (1 Roman stadium = 1/8 Roman mile or 625 Roman feet; 607 English feet, 185 meters). In the New World Translation the stadia figures at Luke 24:13; John 6:19; 11:18 have been converted to Roman miles. For example, “sixty stadia” is given as “seven and a half miles” (about 7 English miles or 11 kilometers).—Luke 24:13.

MILETUS

(Mi·leʹtus).

A city on the W coast of Asia Minor that is now in ruins. It lies near the mouth of the Maeander (Menderes) River and anciently had four harbors. By the seventh century B.C.E. the Ionians seem to have made Miletus a prosperous commercial center having numerous colonies on the Black Sea and in Egypt. The woolen goods of Miletus became widely known. Indicative of this is the fact that at Ezekiel 27:18 the Septuagint Version lists “wool from Miletus” as an item of Tyre’s trade. Miletus was also the home of famous philosophers such as Thales (640?-546 B.C.E.), regarded as the founder of Greek geometry, astronomy and philosophy. In the fifth century B.C.E. the Persians captured and destroyed Miletus for having shared in revolt. Later (in 334 B.C.E.), the rebuilt city fell to Alexander the Great. During Hellenic and Roman times Miletus witnessed considerable architectural activity. An impressive ruin from this period is a large theater built in an open field.

As time passed, the city declined in importance. This is attributed to the silting up of its harbor facilities by the Maeander River. Ancient Miletus seems to have been situated on a promontory extending from the S side of the Latmian Gulf. But today the ruins of the city lie about five miles (8 kilometers) inland, and what was once the Latmian Gulf is a lake.

PAUL VISITS

It was to Miletus that the apostle Paul came, probably in 56 C.E. Because of wanting to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost if at all possible and not wishing to spend time unnecessarily in Asia Minor, Paul, apparently at Assos, decided to take a vessel that bypassed Ephesus. But he did not neglect the needs of the congregation there. From Miletus, doubtless by means of a messenger, Paul sent for the older men of the Ephesus congregation (about 30 miles [48 kilometers] away). The additional time it took for word to reach them and for them to come to Miletus (perhaps a minimum of three days) apparently was less than might have been involved had Paul gone to Ephesus. Possibly this was because the available ship(s) from Assos putting into port at Ephesus made more breaks in the voyage than did the one(s) stopping at Miletus. Or, circumstances in Ephesus itself might have delayed Paul had he stopped there.—Acts 20:14-17.

In speaking to the older men of the Ephesus congregation, Paul reviewed his own ministry among them, admonished them to pay attention to themselves and to the flock, alerted them to the danger of “oppressive wolves” entering the congregation, and encouraged them to stay awake and to keep in mind his example. Having been told that they would see him no more, these overseers gave way to considerable weeping, “fell upon Paul’s neck and tenderly kissed him,” and then conducted him to the boat.—Acts 20:18-38.

At an unspecified time after his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul seems to have returned to Miletus. Trophimus, who had earlier accompanied him from Miletus to Jerusalem, became ill, necessitating Paul’s leaving him behind.—Compare Acts 20:4; 21:29; 2 Timothy 4:20.

MILITARY COMMANDER

The Greek word khi·liʹar·khos (chiliarch) means “commander of 1,000 soldiers.” With the exception of its use in Revelation, it refers to a Roman military tribune. There were six tribunes in each Roman legion. The legion, however, was not divided into six different commands; rather, each tribune commanded the whole legion one-sixth of the time. For each two-month period, two tribunes served on alternate days.—See ARMY (Roman).

Such a military commander was vested with great authority. He nominated and assigned centurions. He presided at courts-martial and could order capital punishment. He had a body of attendants serving as aides, relaying orders, and so forth. His rank was recognized by his dress: a purple stripe on his toga and a gold ring of distinction. At one time these tribunes were elected by the people; later the Senate and other civil or military personnel were primarily responsible for their appointment. Normally ten years’ infantry duty or five years in the cavalry were required. Augustus allowed sons of senators to begin their careers as tribunes. Tiberius reserved the right of appointment to himself.

At the celebration of Herod’s birthday these commanders were among the honored guests entertained by the dancer Salome. In the presence of such men of rank Herod felt compelled to keep his oath, and so ordered John the Baptist beheaded. (Mark 6:21-26) A military commander (chiliarch) accompanied the soldiers who arrested Jesus.—John 18:12.

In 56 C.E. Claudius Lysias was the military commander of the Jerusalem garrison and the one who rescued Paul both from the street mob and from the rioting Sanhedrin and the one who wrote a letter of explanation to Governor Felix when Paul was secretly slipped down to Caesarea. (Acts 21:30–24:22) Military commanders were present in numbers when Paul appeared before Agrippa. (Acts 25:23) “Military commanders” are among those against whom God’s judgments are executed in John’s vision, in the book of Revelation.—Rev. 6:15; 19:18.

MILK

The product of female mammals for nourishment of their young, and used as a food by mankind in general. (Gen. 18:8; Judg. 4:19; 5:25) The Hebrew word rendered milk usually means “fresh milk,” and is generally distinguished from curds, cheese and butter. (Deut. 32:14; 2 Sam. 17:29; Job 10:10; Prov. 27:27)