Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Moderation, х to (G3588) epieikees (G1933), from eikoo (G1502), 'to yield,' whence yieldingness (Trench); or from eikos, 'fitting,' whence 'reasonableness of dealing' (Alford)] - considerateness for others, not urging one's rights to the uttermost, but waiving a part; thereby rectifying the injustices of justice. The archetype is God, who presses not the strictness of His law against us (Psalms 130:3-4), having exacted the fullest payment for us from our Divine Security. Including candour and kindliness, joy in the Lord raises us above rigorism to,wards others (Philippians 4:5) and carefulness (Philippians 4:6) as to one's own affairs. Sadness produces moroseness toward others-a carking spirit in ourselves.
Let ... be known - i:e., in your conduct to all: let nothing inconsistent with "moderation" be seen. Not, Make a display of your moderation. Let this grace "be known" to men in acts; let "your requests be made known unto God" in words (Philippians 4:6).
Unto all men - even to the "perverse" (Philippians 2:15), that so ye may win them. Exercise 'forbearance' even to persecutors. None is so ungracious as not to be kindly to some one, from some motive, 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 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 Lord's exclusive prerogative of judging (1 Corinthians 4:5): so provoking God to judge us by the strict law (James 2:12-13).