Information Related to "Meekness and Gentleness: Strength With a Tender Touch"
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The biblical qualities of meekness and gentleness are misunderstood and undervalued in today's society of extremes--where all too often people tend to angrily overreact or passively underreact.
Elephants are so strong they have frequently been used for logging-to carry large logs and even uproot trees. But these giants are usually gentle, especially when tamed from a young age.
The elephant's trunk in particular is an example of strength coupled with precise control. Its trunk, with more than 40,000 individual muscles, is strong enough to rip branches from trees but sensitive enough to pick up a single blade of grass!
The trained elephant illustrates the great value of having both strength and careful gentleness-unlike the proverbial "bull in a china shop."
Compared to English, the Greek language has more precise words for describing the valuable quality of trained animals like elephants and horses. The New Testament uses those same Greek words for a virtue God wants His people to develop.
When the apostle Paul lists "meekness" as the eighth attribute among the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (King James Version), he uses the Greek noun praotes or prautes- and "meekness" is the closest translation for the Greek word used here. (Similarly, the closest English translation for the related Greek adjective praos or praus is "meek.")
We are to be meek ( yielded, teachable, responsive ) first of all in our relationship with God, and secondly meek ( humble, gentle, respectful ) in our relationships with people. To become this kind of person, God must tame and train us!
A word with a closely-related meaning is magnanimous, defined as "generous in forgiving; avoiding resentment or revenge; unselfish."
Meekness is an important part of true love. "Love is patient, love is kind . . . It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered" (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 [4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
[5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
, New International Version).
The Bible places great value on meekness. Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek [Greek praus ], for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.). That's a mighty big reward for being meek!
But since "meek" is no longer a popular or commonly used word, modern Bible translations frequently substitute the almost-synonymous word "gentle." Scriptures quoted in this article are mostly from the New King James Version, which uses "meek" and "gentle" interchangeably.
However, be aware that gentleness refers mostly to actions, whereas meekness refers to attitude- one's whole state of mind as well as actions. Meekness produces gentleness. This explains why meekness is one of the beatitudes-beautiful attitudes for which God promises blessings (Matthew 5:5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.).
Many people confuse "meek" with "weak." It's regrettable that they rhyme because godly meekness requires strength!
For a physical comparison, if you were badly injured and needed someone to gently carry you, wouldn't you want someone who was really strong? You wouldn't want a person who might stumble or clumsily struggle with you!
Adding to the confusion is the idea that hair-trigger angry reactions are "normal." As a result, some people assume that a person who doesn't retaliate tit for tat must be afraid or mousy. But true strength is shown by a secure individual who stays cool, thinks first and then responds in the way that will best help the other person. "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.).
Consider God! He is all- powerful, but He never misuses His power. He is the perfect Father who never overreacts, is gentle with His often-unruly children and always does what is best for us.
Consider also the example Jesus Christ set while on earth. Although He could call on divine power, He was approachable, sympathetic, kind and loving. He said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly [humble] in heart" (Matthew 11:29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls., emphasis added throughout). He used His power for healing rather than hurting. Remember His words: "Learn from Me."
The greatest power on earth is the power of the Holy Spirit. It is this Spirit-God's Spirit-that enables people to be far more meek and gentle than they could ever be without it, as Paul shows in his letter to the churches of Galatia.
Paul knew that the Christians there were backsliding into hostile attitudes and personal conflicts. He wrote that some were "biting and devouring each other" (Galatians 5:15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another., NIV). He urged them to "through love serve one another" (verse 13), reminding them, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (verse 14).
What the Galatians needed was to "walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.). And what did he say is the result of following the lead of God's Holy Spirit?
Paul went on to write of how that Spirit would transform our lives: "But the fruit [product, effect] of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (verses 22-23).
What a great solution! God doesn't leave us on our own to work up these virtues. By putting our faith in God, repenting of our sins and being baptized, we can "receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.). And that gift includes wonderful fruit!
Then, to continue bearing spiritual fruit, think of yourself as a branch. The key is to stay attached to the trunk of the true vine, Jesus Christ (John 15:1-6 [1] I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
[2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
[3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
[4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
[5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
[6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
).
It's easy to see how the attributes among the fruit of the Spirit overlap and relate to each other. Meekness and gentleness relate very closely to love, longsuffering (being patient and not short-tempered), kindness and self-control.
It's also easy to see how desperately we human beings need God's Spirit to overcome the "works of the flesh"-the ugly and evil tendencies of human nature (Galatians 5:19-21 [19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
). We surely need meekness and gentleness in place of "hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions"!
Later we see how important gentleness is when it comes to helping someone caught up in a sin. Paul said, "You who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.). Paul not only meant we should show gentle words and actions, but also a humble attitude rather than a superior and self-righteous approach (see verse 3).
Should a Christian be a fighter? A physical fighter, no. A spiritual fighter, yes. Right after Paul wrote to Timothy to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness," he went on to say, "Fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timo- thy 6:11-12). This kind of fight is not against people but against evil influences, especially those of Satan and the demons (Ephesians 6:11-12 [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
). We are to use spiritual weapons, not physical weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)).
Successful spiritual warfare requires great courage and endurance. Paul wrote, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.).
But in our relationships with people, we are not to be combative or argumentative-we are to be peacemakers.
Paul also wrote: "Love one another with brotherly affection . . . Live in harmony with one another . . . Repay no one evil for evil . . . If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all'" (Romans 12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;, 16-18, Revised Standard Version).
When someone hurts you, just take it rather than hurting back. That's what Jesus meant by loving everyone and turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-45 [38] Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
[39] But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
[40] And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
[41] And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
[42] Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
[43] Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
[44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
[45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
).
Since we all like to be treated gently, why not treat everyone else gently? "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise" (Luke 6:31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.). That's the Golden Rule!
As with the fruit of the Spirit, other scriptures also show us how certain virtues go hand in hand. Paul said we are to "walk . . . with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:1-2 [1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
).
He also wrote that we should "put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do" (Colossians 3:12-13 [12] Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
[13] Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
).
Meekness includes voluntarily "submitting to one another" (Ephesians 5:21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.). In a long passage, Peter spoke of the importance of submission of all kinds-Christians toward government (1 Peter 2:13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;), servants toward masters (2:18), Christ's example of submitting to His tormentors (2:21-25) and wives toward their husbands (3:1).
Peter also encouraged wives to emphasize inner beauty rather than outer beauty-"the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price., New International Version). Then in verse 7, he exhorted husbands to be true gentlemen and to honor their wives.
To everyone, Peter wrote, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:, NIV).
Two scriptures use another Greek word that specifically means "gentle." One says that "a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle [ eepios ] to all, able to teach, patient" (2 Timothy 2:24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,).
And the other one beautifully shows Paul's great love for those in the churches he watched over: "But we were gentle [ eepios ] among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us" (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 [7] But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
[8] So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
).
The world sorely needs this kind of TLC-tender loving care!
To keep your attitudes and actions meek and gentle, you will need to swim upstream against the culture's current of rudeness and roughness. Paul foretold that "in the last days . . . men will be lovers of themselves . . . unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal" (2 Timothy 3:1-3 [1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
). Doesn't that describe much of the content on television and in movies?
God is calling people out of such darkness to be "the light of the world"-to set the right example for others (Matthew 5:14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.). That's a tall order. But God is ever ready to help us. Pray earnestly for His help. And make a habit of reading God's Word so it can transform your thinking and way of life.
Remember that an important part of being that shining light is having godly meekness and gentleness. And someday the whole world will be a peaceful and happy place. That someday is when Christ returns and the meek inherit the earth! GN
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Origin of article "Meekness and Gentleness: Strength With a Tender Touch"
Re-published from an earlier version
Keywords: meekness gentleness teachable humble spiritual warfare yielded responsive fighting peacemaking
Gentleness: