Meekness in the Bible: Strength Under Control
Years ago, a wise older woman offered a definition of biblical meekness that has stayed with me. She said, “Meekness is essentially teachability.” Today, we’ll dive into Scripture for a deeper understanding of meekness in the Bible, exploring how we can live with strength under control while exuding patience and gentleness.
Jesus declared, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5, NIV).
Let’s consider what it means to be meek as we aim to embody this often-misunderstood characteristic.
Meekness in the Bible
The Bible helps us understand meekness and offers examples of how to embrace it in our daily lives.
The Greek word for meek in Matthew 5:5 is praus, translated as meek, gentle, or humble.*
We see this word three additional times in the New Testament:
Matthew 11:29 (NASB)
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Jesus spoke these words to his followers, describing himself as gentle (or meek).
If Jesus called himself meek, this is certainly a quality we should aim to embody.
Matthew 21:5
“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold your King is coming to you,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
Again, Jesus described himself as humble (or meek) and riding on the foal of a donkey.
He did not enter Jerusalem as a king seeking his own honor. He came humbly, as a servant, prepared to die for the people who rejected him.
1 Peter 3:3-4
Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God . . .
In this Scripture, Peter was writing to women about where to find true beauty, not outer beauty, but inner beauty associated with meekness and gentleness.
As we consider all three Scriptures above, we can glean several points:
First, because Jesus was considered meek, we cannot associate meekness with weakness.
Second, meekness is a choice to restrain our strength and remain humble and gentle in the face of opposition.
Third, meekness is appealing in both men and women. It is an open posture that commands respect while also being gentle and kind.
The Topical Lexicon of the Bible describes it well:
Meekness in the Bible as Inward Gentleness and Humble Strength
According to the Topic Lexicon of the Bible, meekness “conveys a heart-attitude of inward gentleness that manifests as humble strength under God’s control. It is not weakness, timidity, or lack of conviction; rather, it is the gracious refusal to advance one’s own cause by force, trusting the Lord to vindicate and exalt in His time. Meekness therefore unites lowliness of self-evaluation with resolute dependence on divine sovereignty.”*
Jesus’ Example of Meekness in the Bible
Jesus was the living example of meekness.
He submitted to his Father’s will from his birth, coming into the world as a helpless infant, to his death, submitting to God as he suffered and died on the cross.
We see his meekness in his patience with those who misunderstood him and persecuted him. He stood silent before Pilate shortly before his death. He did not directly answer those who sought only to antagonize him.
In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul reminds us that Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve others. This is true meekness: a refusal to advance oneself by force, all while trusting God. It is quiet humility and patient self-control.
Meekness in the Old Testament
If we look to the Old Testament, we see that Moses was meek, more than all the others on earth.
Here are some more Scriptures on the characteristic.
Psalm 37:11
But the humble will inherit the land
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
Isaiah 42:2
He will not cry out nor raise His voice,
Nor make His voice heard in the street.
This verse speaks of Jesus, who would not rush to defend himself. Instead, he humbly restrained himself as he fulfilled God’s will.
Isaiah 53:2-3
For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,
And like a root out of dry ground;
He has no stately form or majesty
That we would look at Him,
Nor an appearance that we would take pleasure in Him.
He was despised and abandoned by men,
A man of great pain and familiar with sickness;
And like one from whom people hide their faces,
He was despised, and we had no regard for Him.
Isaiah 53 describes Jesus’ life and death, including his humility and meekness in the faces of those who rejected him.
Meekness in the New Testament
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.
Closely associated with gentleness, meekness is one of the fruits of the Spirit, something God works in us as we abide in him.
Galatians 6:1
Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
Here, Paul encourages us to gently restore those who fall into sin, humbly helping them return to God and being careful not to be led into temptation ourselves.
James 1:21
Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.’
James admonishes us to receive God’s teaching with humility and meekness (teachability), recognizing its saving power.
1 Peter 5:2-3
shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not with greed but with eagerness; nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock.
Peter encouraged the elders of the early church to humbly shepherd the members of their congregations, living as examples.
Now that we’ve explored meekness in the Bible, let’s make this practical by discussing some ways to cultivate it in our lives.
How to Cultivate Meekness in Our Lives
Study Jesus’ Life
Studies of the brain show that we are transformed by imitating others. For this reason, we can grow in meekness by studying Jesus’ words, attitudes, and actions in Scripture, aiming to follow his example.
Spend Time With Meek People
We also grow in this trait by spending time with people who embody it, often older, wiser individuals.
Submit to God
Meekness grows as we submit to God’s will, aiming to obey him in every area of life and not delaying obedience.
Abide in Christ
We also grow in meekness by drawing near to Jesus.
In John 15, Jesus declared that if we abide in him, our lives will bear good fruit, and this includes the fruit of meekness.
Reframe Hardships
It can be tempting to blame God or turn away from him in difficult times.
Instead, we cultivate meekness by turning toward him for hope and healing in difficult times.
Resist the Urge to “Be Right”
Meekness includes laying down our pride. We are more concerned about listening to others than being right. We aren’t insistent on proving anything or winning arguments.
Press Into God’s Love
Meek people live with nothing to prove because they are secure as God’s children.
They understand that nothing can every take his love away from them. This is the foundation of their lives.
~~~
None of us are naturally meek.
We want our own way, and we all fall into self-defense at times.
Ask God to help you grow in meekness, and he will provide opportunities for you to lean into this characteristic.
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