Today’s word has a bad reputation. Many people associate it with ‘wimpy’ or fearful weakness, yet MEEK describes Jesus Christ who is none of those things.
It also describes Moses in Numbers 12:3. “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” He was far from wimpy. Instead, this word is about a lowly, pious, and modest mind, which prefers to bear injuries rather than return them. That takes strength rather than fearful weakness.
David also used this concept to describe God both in 2 Samuel and the Psalms. He said, “You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great.”
In the NT, this describes Jesus and He even used the word meek to describe Himself. Here, and in many cases it is translated gentle.
Matthew 11:29. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Even the readers of that day thought being noted for meekness or modesty was a weakness. Yet this describes God the Son, a perfect human without sin. Some say meekness is the best described as strength under control, like a wild stallion that has been tamed. There is power behind true meekness!
This word and its often used synonym, gentleness, means to approach others (including one’s enemies) in a humble and caring spirit, not using force to get one’s way. It is being like Christ and should characterize Christians, particularly since it is included as one of the nine characteristics of the fruit of the God’s Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
It is also descriptive of the wisdom of God. James 3:13 asks and answers, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” Then James describes the opposite which is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic” and causes “disorder and every vile practice.” He contrast this fleshy wisdom with godly wisdom that includes humble and lenient gentleness:
James 3:17–18. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Is there a difference between meekness and gentleness? Paul uses both words in 2 Corinthians 10:1 to describe Jesus as the source of his own attitude:
“I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!”
My dictionary says meekness (often translated gentleness) means “acting in a manner that is gentle, mild, and even-tempered” whereas in this verse, gentleness means “leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person charged with administering justice.” The first is a general way of being in all situations, while the second word means the same thing but is more specific in who and why meekness is shown.
GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. Jesus, because He died and rose again, purchased my redemption. He did this in meekness, accepting the wrong done to Him because in the eyes of God it was the only way to save sinners. As my Savior, He treats me with gentleness, even during those times I describe as being “booted in the backside and hugged at the same time.” It is His attitude of choice toward His children. As I focus on this, my attitude toward others cannot hold on to things like anger, resentment, bitterness, accusation, etc. Jesus is not like that, and because God is at work to transform me into the image of His Son, then this unpopular word meekness needs to be part of who I am.
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