The phrase “Blessed are the meek” comes from Matthew 5:5 in the Bible, where Jesus gives the Beatitudes during the Sermon on the Mount. In this verse, Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” To understand what Jesus means by “blessed are the meek,” we need to examine the meaning of “meek” and look at the context of this verse within the Beatitudes and Jesus’ teachings.
Definition of “Meek”
The Greek word translated as “meek” in Matthew 5:5 is praus. Praus does not mean being weak or spineless, nor does it refer to defeat or cowardice. Rather, praus carries the sense of being gentle, humble, considerate, and willing to submit to God. Meekness demonstrates patience and trust in God rather than taking matters into one’s own hands.
Some key aspects of meekness include:
- Gentleness and humility
- Submissiveness to God
- Control over one’s own temper and passions
- Consideration for others
- Willingness to suffer wrongs patiently
The meek person is not concerned with self-promotion or demanding personal rights. He or she trusts in God’s vindication and timing rather than seeking revenge against wrongdoers (Psalm 37:7-11). However, meekness should not be confused with weakness. Rather, the meek rely on spiritual strength to endure hardships and avoid retaliation.
Context Within the Beatitudes
Looking at Matthew 5:5 in context, we see that it comes as part of the Beatitudes, in which Jesus pronounces blessings on people with certain characteristics. He begins the Beatitudes by blessing the poor in spirit, the mournful, and the meek before moving on to blessings for those who hunger for righteousness, show mercy, are pure in heart, and make peace. A key theme running through the Beatitudes is a reversal of conventional thinking about what types of people will be rewarded.
The world tends to prize attributes like riches, happiness, power, and prestige. But Jesus pronounces blessings on those who are often shunned by society – the spiritually bankrupt, mourners, the meek, those persecuted for pursuing righteousness. The Beatitudes depict the kingdom of Heaven as ruled by different values than the world. Meekness – with its connotations of humility, submissiveness to God, and patient endurance – is upheld as a virtue worthy of blessing.
Connection to “Inheriting the Earth”
A distinctive aspect of Matthew 5:5 is the promise Jesus makes that the meek will inherit the earth. Given the oppressed status of the meek in society, this is a striking assertion. How can the meek inherit the earth when aggressive, domineering people often gain large chunks of property and power?
Jesus’ words harken back to Psalm 37, where the meek are promised: “For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land” (Psalm 37:9). The psalmist affirms that the meek may suffer in the short run, but God will vindicate them in time. Though the wicked seem to prosper now, their success is short-lived. God will intervene, defending the meek and giving them what they do not grasp for themselves.
Thus, Matthew 5:5 carries prophetic weight – implying that those reviled as meek will receive honor, while the proud and oppressive will be brought low. This happens partially on earth but fully when Christ returns to establish His kingdom. Believers can wait patiently for that day, trusting that God remembers the sacrifices of the meek and will reward them.
Connection to Christ’s Meekness
It is significant that Jesus pronounces a blessing on the meek, given that meekness was integral to His own character. Throughout His ministry, Jesus exemplified meekness in the face of opposition and slander. He could have called down fire from heaven or exercised divine prerogatives, but instead, He submitted to unjust treatment and endured the cross (Matthew 26:53).
Jesus described Himself as “gentle and lowly (meek) in heart” (Matthew 11:29). He taught His followers not to lord authority over others as rulers of the Gentiles did, but instead to become servants (Matthew 20:25-28). The apostle Paul urges Christians to follow Christ’s model: “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).
Since meekness characterized Jesus’ life and ministry, those who desire to follow Him must embrace meekness. As believers become more Christlike, they will mirror His gentle strength rather than seeking to dominate or control others.
Examples of Meekness in the Bible
In addition to Jesus’ perfect model of meekness, the Bible provides other examples of righteous individuals who exemplified meekness:
- Moses – Numbers 12:3 says, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” Moses patiently endured complaints and rebellion from the Israelites.
- David – Though fierce in battle, David twice refused opportunities to kill Saul when the jealous king was pursuing him. David submitted to God’s timing (1 Samuel 24, 26).
- Jeremiah – The weeping prophet faithfully endured ill-treatment, beatings, and imprisonment as he delivered God’s message to a rebellious nation.
- Paul – The apostle exemplified meekness in his ministry. He wrote, “By the meekness and gentleness of Christ I appeal to you” (2 Corinthians 10:1).
These examples and more from Scripture show that meekness is a valuable virtue that pleases God when paired with righteous courage.
Cultivating Meekness
Given the blessings associated with meekness, how can Christians become more meek? Here are some tips for cultivating meekness in our lives:
- Submit fully to God – Recognize His authority over every area of life. Surrendering rights to Him tames pride and anger.
- Ask the Holy Spirit for help – Since meekness is a fruit of the Spirit, ask Him to cultivate it in you (Galatians 5:23).
- Study Christ – As we focus on Jesus’ gentle words and actions, we can pattern our behavior after Him.
- Look to the interests of others – The meek are concerned about others, not themselves. Follow Paul’s advice in Philippians 2:3-4.
- Endure mistreatment patiently – Seek God’s defense rather than taking matters into your own hands.
Meekness often goes against our natural inclinations, but Christ promises blessing for those who embrace this attribute. As Tim Keller said, “Meekness means accepting God’s timing and care when you want to take matters into your own hands.” When we yield our perceived rights to God and trust Him to vindicate us in His timing, we become conduits of His grace.
What Meekness is Not
Given some common misconceptions about meekness, it may also help to clarify what meekness is not:
- Weakness – As seen in the examples above, meek individuals like Moses and Paul were anything but weak. Meekness is not spinelessness or passivity.
- Defeatism – Meekness does not mean giving up on pursuing justice or making a difference in the world. The meek endure oppression but continue working.
- Inferiority – While meekness implies humility, Jesus upheld the meek in the Beatitudes. Meekness does not equate with having low self-worth.
- Cowardice – Unlike cowardice which shrinks from danger, meekness gives the strength to turn the other cheek and endure hardship for righteousness.
- Silence – Meekness does not necessarily mean never speaking up. Meek individuals like Moses still confronted injustice at key moments.
Part of embodying the biblical model of meekness is recognizing what it is not. Meekness balances strength and humility, courage and patience, speaking and listening. It stems from trust in God rather than human weakness.
Benefits of Meekness
Pursuing meekness brings many benefits and blessings to the believer’s life:
- Inheriting the earth – As Jesus promised, the meek will receive a great inheritance from God either now or in eternity (Matt. 5:5).
- Finding rest for the soul – Jesus invites those with meek, submissive spirits to find rest in Him when they take His yoke and learn from Him (Matt. 11:29).
- Receiving wisdom – “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13).
- Bringing peace – Since the meek avoid selfish ambition, they “sow in peace those who make peace” (James 3:18).
- Seeing God – The meek inherit far more than land. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the whole earth” and see the face of God (Matthew 5:5, Hebrews 12:14).
These rewards for meekness encourage believers to follow Christ’s model and ask the Spirit to cultivate gentleness and humility in our lives.
Conclusions
What lessons can we take away about what it means to be meek?
First, we learn that meekness goes far deeper than weakness or defeatism. The meek exemplify spiritual strength and courage combined with gentleness, patience, and consideration of others. Second, Jesus pronounces the meek blessed and models meekness in His life and ministry. As His followers, we must ask the Spirit to develop Christlike meekness. Third, God honors and rewards the meek – both now and in eternity. While the forceful gain temporary power, the meek will inherit the earth.
Embracing meekness leads to blessings, wisdom, rest for the soul, and intimacy with God. Though the world exalts the proud and domineering, Jesus declares that true blessing comes when we submit our perceived rights to God and trust in His care. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
