Adapted
The Greek word "praos" translated "meek" is defined by the authorities: "Meek, gentle, kind, forgiving, Matt. 5.5; mild, benevolent, humane." (Analytical Greek Lexicon, P. 340.) "Gentle, mild, meek." (Thayer, p. 534.) "Gentle, kind, not easily provoked, ready to yield rather than cause trouble: but not used in the Bible in the bad sense of tamely submissive and servile."
God does not expect the meek to allow truth to suffer and be perverted at the hands of unholy men, but rather to defend it and "fight the good fight of faith." Some look upon meekness as cowardice or the surrender of our rights to others, but it takes more courage to be meek than it does to fight for our rights. A deeper appreciation of the meaning of meekness can be seen when we consider that it is associated with lowliness (Eph. 4:2.), a quiet spirit (1 Pet. 3:4), and gentleness. (Titus 3:2.).
Paul gives us this description of himself: "Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you." (2 Cor. 10: 1) Note that he claimed to possess the two outstanding characteristics of Christ – meekness and lowliness. I am confident that he was both in the fullest sense that it is possible for a human to be. Yet in verse 2 of the same chapter he said he was bold and in verse 3 he said he (and all Christians) are engaged in war. Can one be meek and lowly and at the same time be bold and aggressive? Certainly he can. In verse 5 he describes the type of war in which he and all Christians are engaged. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."
Christians are NOT to be cowards meekness is no where in the scripture as cowardice. In Paul's letter to the Galatians (5:23) he listed "meekness" as a fruit of the Spirit. In addition to being meek himself, he taught his brethren to be. But we see from this same letter that meekness did not preclude firmness and aggressiveness. In verse 8 of the first chapter be called down the anathema of heaven upon those who would dare pervert the gospel of Christ. In verses 4 and 5 of chapter two we see that neither he nor the Galatians compromised with nor tolerated the work of Judaizing teachers. In verse 11 of the same chapter we see Paul in his meekness as he resisted and condemned Peter to his face. And he did not call him off into a corner and whisper it into his ear for verse 14 shows that he reprimanded him "before them all." Some brethren of today think it is wrong to publicly call names and rebuke brethren for their false teaching, unscriptural works and liberal attitudes. But it is not. If Paul could do so and be meek, so can we. The same principle can be seen in his letter to the Ephesians. In Ephesians 4:2, he admonished them to be meek, but in verses 10-17 of chapter six he told them to put on the armor of God and fight the fight of faith. And yet all of this is in harmony with true meekness.
The man who is truly meek is not interested in getting praise for himself, but in seeing God's will done regardless of the cost to him for he knows that herein lies not only his strength but that of the church and all righteousness. No, one does not have to have a backbone like a wet noodle in order to be meek.
Christians you must wake up and take a stand.
Adapted from a lesson by Eugene Britnell.
