Introduction. Translating from one language to another is generally a simple process. The idea conveyed by a word in one language (Greek) is often identical to that of another (English). But what if there is no word? What if the concept in one culture doesn’t fully fit that in another? This was the problem with “meek.” It only partially overlaps. Although it is the best we have, and our meek and the Greek “prautes” share the same idea of being “gentle” and “mild,” they differ drastically in one critical point.
Thus when we read “blessed are the meek,” it is very difficult to remove “weakness” from our minds. Children often call those who are gentle and mild a “sissy” or a “chicken” because that’s how they have been raised to see it. Hollywood portrays strong men and women as the exact opposite of being meek and in the movies only wimps and cowards act with gentleness and mildness when mistreated. The strong retaliate, get even and punish those who are in their way.
- “In English, “meekness” suggests weakness to a greater or less extent, whereas “prautes” does nothing of the kind. The meekness manifested by the Lord and commended to the believer is the fruit of power.” (Vines Expository Dictionary) * — full quote is at the end of this article).
Thus when we read “blessed are the meek,” it is very difficult to remove “weakness” from our minds. Children often call those who are gentle and mild a “sissy” or a “chicken” because that’s how they have been raised to see it. Hollywood portrays strong men and women as the exact opposite of being meek and in the movies only wimps and cowards act with gentleness and mildness when mistreated. The strong retaliate, get even and punish those who are in their way.
This worldly component of meekness is a great hindrance to Christians. When our meekness forces us to submit to the ungodly as Jesus did on the cross, we must deal with the pride of life that leads us to feel cheated and shamed at being beaten because we acted meekly. In order to become meek, we must learn to feel blessed and special to God and ignore the taunts of the world.
If we are to become meek, we must change these stereotypes and come to understand meekness as it is used in Scripture. In Scripture, meekness brings control. It is like a strong horse that is highly prized for being meek enough to be controlled by the rider. If the horse sought to “win” in any contest of wills, it has little value. This is true of all powerful objects. Meekness and submission are considered great attributes. As a carburetor or throttle brings meekness to an engine, or a transformer brings meekness to electricity, so our own meekness brings control to the power of our spirit and soul.
When commanded to “turn the other cheek,” “go the second mile,” and “allow ourselves to be wronged,” we are being told to manifest gentleness and mildness when others would retaliate. We will “never take vengeance,” and “give place to the wrath of God,” only under the influence of meekness. Meekness brings control. Not because of weakness, because it often takes more strength to respond with mildness than it does to be rude. The idea of being mild and gentle as weaknesses is an obstacle we must overcome. It is an area of darkness the world has created and instilled into our culture.
This is the terrible paradox for many Christians. It is not that we don’t know the meaning of the term. It is that we feel demeaned and lessened when we do not stand up to our rights as we did before we became a Christian. We must rise above those who “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (Jn. 12:43)
There are many examples of the strength of meekness. Jesus was meek “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.” (Mt. 11:29) and endured the cross with mildness and gentleness. Think of the strength it took for Him to do that. When Miriam and Aaron rose up against Moses, we learn that “Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth” (Num. 12:1-15). Because of his meekness, God defended him and rebuked them far more severely than Moses would have done.
These men were not weak! Their meekness truly was as a result of strength and not weakness. They chose to be meek because “blessed are those who are meek,” not because they were weak.
It is the pride, arrogance, and selfishness of our world that leads to such thinking. God revealed to wives that they should be submissive to their husbands by putting on “the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1Pet. 3:1-6). This meekness is the result of strength. Multitudes of women have proven how easy it is to rebel and seek equality. It takes faith and inner strength to accept God’s ideal of meekness and submission. The world sees such meekness as demeaning, but blessed indeed are those meek women who rise above this and without “being frightened by any fear,” submit to their own husbands as Sarah did Abraham.
When brethren sin “you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of meekness considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1). When taunted or mocked, “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be meek to all” (2Tim. 2:24). When giving a defense for the “reason for the hope that is in you,” it must be done “with meekness and fear” (1Pet. 3:15-17). The elect of God must “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;” (Col. 3:12-14). We must receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21). These are acts of strength and courage, not weakness.
Conclusion. Meekness is only discredited by the pride of life. No one wants to be second, or place themselves under the dominion of another. Yet God revealed it is the path to greatness. The choice is ours. Will we change our worldly thinking and see meekness as a fruit of power or continue to be in the darkness seeing it as a fruit of weakness? Although in America “I have my rights,” the blessed servant of God and Jesus Christ do not! We must fight the seductive influence of the world. We cannot be proud Americans with rights and humble Christians turning the other cheek. We must choose and blessed are those with the strength to choose meekness.
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* The meaning of “prautes” “is not readily expressed in English, for the terms meekness, mildness, commonly used, suggest weakness to a greater or less extent, whereas “prautes” does nothing of the kind. It must be clearly understood, therefore, that the common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the Lord was ‘meek’ because he had the infinite resources of God at His command Described negatively, meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest; it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)
"prautes... “mild and gentle friendliness,”... the opposite of roughness ...bad temper, or sudden anger/brusqueness... Among the Greeks gentle friendliness is highly prized as a social virtue in human relationships... The systematic thinker Aristotle places praotes as... a mean between “orgilotes” (“anger,” “bad temper”) and the spineless incompetence of “aorgesia” ... (Kittel, Vol 6 p 645-646)
If we are to become meek, we must change these stereotypes and come to understand meekness as it is used in Scripture. In Scripture, meekness brings control. It is like a strong horse that is highly prized for being meek enough to be controlled by the rider. If the horse sought to “win” in any contest of wills, it has little value. This is true of all powerful objects. Meekness and submission are considered great attributes. As a carburetor or throttle brings meekness to an engine, or a transformer brings meekness to electricity, so our own meekness brings control to the power of our spirit and soul.
When commanded to “turn the other cheek,” “go the second mile,” and “allow ourselves to be wronged,” we are being told to manifest gentleness and mildness when others would retaliate. We will “never take vengeance,” and “give place to the wrath of God,” only under the influence of meekness. Meekness brings control. Not because of weakness, because it often takes more strength to respond with mildness than it does to be rude. The idea of being mild and gentle as weaknesses is an obstacle we must overcome. It is an area of darkness the world has created and instilled into our culture.
This is the terrible paradox for many Christians. It is not that we don’t know the meaning of the term. It is that we feel demeaned and lessened when we do not stand up to our rights as we did before we became a Christian. We must rise above those who “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (Jn. 12:43)
There are many examples of the strength of meekness. Jesus was meek “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.” (Mt. 11:29) and endured the cross with mildness and gentleness. Think of the strength it took for Him to do that. When Miriam and Aaron rose up against Moses, we learn that “Moses was very meek, above all the men that were upon the face of the earth” (Num. 12:1-15). Because of his meekness, God defended him and rebuked them far more severely than Moses would have done.
These men were not weak! Their meekness truly was as a result of strength and not weakness. They chose to be meek because “blessed are those who are meek,” not because they were weak.
It is the pride, arrogance, and selfishness of our world that leads to such thinking. God revealed to wives that they should be submissive to their husbands by putting on “the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1Pet. 3:1-6). This meekness is the result of strength. Multitudes of women have proven how easy it is to rebel and seek equality. It takes faith and inner strength to accept God’s ideal of meekness and submission. The world sees such meekness as demeaning, but blessed indeed are those meek women who rise above this and without “being frightened by any fear,” submit to their own husbands as Sarah did Abraham.
When brethren sin “you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of meekness considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1). When taunted or mocked, “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be meek to all” (2Tim. 2:24). When giving a defense for the “reason for the hope that is in you,” it must be done “with meekness and fear” (1Pet. 3:15-17). The elect of God must “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;” (Col. 3:12-14). We must receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21). These are acts of strength and courage, not weakness.
Conclusion. Meekness is only discredited by the pride of life. No one wants to be second, or place themselves under the dominion of another. Yet God revealed it is the path to greatness. The choice is ours. Will we change our worldly thinking and see meekness as a fruit of power or continue to be in the darkness seeing it as a fruit of weakness? Although in America “I have my rights,” the blessed servant of God and Jesus Christ do not! We must fight the seductive influence of the world. We cannot be proud Americans with rights and humble Christians turning the other cheek. We must choose and blessed are those with the strength to choose meekness.
-------------------------
* The meaning of “prautes” “is not readily expressed in English, for the terms meekness, mildness, commonly used, suggest weakness to a greater or less extent, whereas “prautes” does nothing of the kind. It must be clearly understood, therefore, that the common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the Lord was ‘meek’ because he had the infinite resources of God at His command Described negatively, meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest; it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)
"prautes... “mild and gentle friendliness,”... the opposite of roughness ...bad temper, or sudden anger/brusqueness... Among the Greeks gentle friendliness is highly prized as a social virtue in human relationships... The systematic thinker Aristotle places praotes as... a mean between “orgilotes” (“anger,” “bad temper”) and the spineless incompetence of “aorgesia” ... (Kittel, Vol 6 p 645-646)