Topical Bible: Meekness: Those Who are Gifted With are Exalted

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Nature of Meekness

Meekness is a virtue that is often misunderstood in contemporary culture. It is not weakness or passivity, but rather a strength under control, characterized by humility, gentleness, and a willingness to submit to God's will. In the biblical context, meekness is a quality that reflects a person's trust in God and their reliance on His strength rather than their own.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently highlights meekness as a desirable and exalted trait. In the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaims, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). This statement underscores the paradoxical nature of meekness: those who are humble and gentle are promised a great inheritance, contrary to worldly expectations that often equate power with dominance.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of meekness. Moses is described as "a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3). Despite his significant leadership role, Moses exemplified meekness through his reliance on God and his intercession for the people of Israel, even when they rebelled against him.

The Psalms also extol the virtues of meekness. Psalm 37:11 states, "But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity" . This verse echoes the promise of Jesus in the Beatitudes, emphasizing that meekness leads to divine blessing and fulfillment.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the ultimate model of meekness. He invites His followers to learn from Him, saying, "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" (Matthew 11:29). Jesus' life and ministry were marked by a gentle spirit, even in the face of opposition and suffering.

The Apostle Paul also encourages believers to cultivate meekness. In his letter to the Galatians, he lists meekness as a fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Meekness, as a fruit of the Spirit, is a sign of spiritual maturity and a life transformed by God's grace.

Exaltation of the Meek

The exaltation of the meek is a recurring theme in Scripture. James 4:10 advises, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you" . This principle is evident throughout the Bible, where those who demonstrate meekness are often elevated by God to positions of honor and influence.

The Apostle Peter echoes this sentiment, urging believers to "clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5). The promise of grace and exaltation is reserved for those who embrace meekness and humility.

Practical Application

For believers today, meekness is a call to live counter-culturally, trusting in God's sovereignty and timing. It involves a conscious decision to respond with gentleness and humility, even in challenging circumstances. By embodying meekness, Christians reflect the character of Christ and become vessels of His peace and love in a world that often values aggression and self-promotion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 147:6
The LORD lifts up the meek: he casts the wicked down to the ground.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 23:12
And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Exalting the Cross
... in labor, was a tried worker, gifted with the ... And though young, he bore his
responsibilities with Christian meekness. ... Those who heard him knew that he had been ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 20 exalting the cross.htm

Divine Sovereignty
... O thou who art gifted with a noble frame, a comely ... has not done it, we bow in meekness,
confessing his ... fact, that out of the same congregation, those who hear ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/divine sovereignty.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... if each of my limbs were to be gifted with a ... are appointed to die," [2930] that is,
of those who for ... or in love and in the spirit of meekness?" [2950] Apart ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... softened with the graces of meekness and patience ... I name Leonard Harburgh, once famous,
gifted, laborious, useful ... and affectionate remembrance of those who have ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

Concerning the Ministry.
... persecutions; but these being over, the meekness, gentleness, love ... Also this preaching
of the gifted brethren, as ... experience of in many of those illiterate men ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

part i
... Meekness and humility overspread it, and involuntarily captivate everyone by their ...
Those who hate others torture and tyrannise over themselves; therefore they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... scene of splendid triumph he would have felt exalted to the ... to fell those trees,
and to dig those stones, with ... himself, and a servant as he is gifted for work ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... take him into his convent, volunteering to fulfill the most degrading services,
in the hope of procuring a little learning, and escaping from 'those filthy hogs ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

part ii
... thou must be an example of meekness, purity, valour ... customary to forgive the sins
of those who trespass ... offended by Christian people, who are gifted with speech ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm