When we meet a shy person who is very sweet we say, “She is so meek.” The English dictionary says it means to be too submissive. But that is not what the word meek meant in 16th century English when the Bible was translated into King James vernacular.
Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 10:1, “Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!”
Jesus was anything but weak. A weak person cannot face the crowds that threaten to take their lives and remain calm and persist in his teaching. A weak person cannot face the prospect of crucifixion and follow through with God's will regardless of the cost of torture. But the meek can do all of this because they rely on God.
The meek are gentle in their spirit. They are aware of the emotional needs of others. They don't use the Bible as a shot gun, but as a salve for the hurting. However they know how to use it as a sword against the enemy of God.
Jesus said,“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Mathew 5:5). So how do the meek inherit the earth? They are willing to consider ideas from others and thus benefit from community insights. They are gentle people but always speak truth. They gain respect because they treat others with respect.
They inherit the earth.
