Is there any directional aspect to the word "meek" in the original Biblical languages, indicating if it's submissiveness/compliancy particularly toward God or toward other people? As Moses and Jesus were notably not submissive toward other people, yet described as meek, I'm wondering if the beatitude "blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth" doesn't make more sense if it's "submissive to God's direction" rather than "submissive to other people." If we're meek towards God, we will be necessarily loving towards others, but not necessarily submissive to inappropriate direction from them...? When we're meek towards God and obeying his calling for us, all the resources of the earth are at our disposal since we're a tool for accomplishing His will.
I'm writing as someone who has grown up Mennonite, where submission to other people is a very high value, yet seems to result in a sort of paralysis to even discuss being any more faithful to God's calling as a body than the weakest member is comfortable with for fear of being "uppity" or "condemning." We continue to strive for consensus as though consensus defines faithfulness and debate is proof of a wrong spirit.
thanks much, ann
meekness
-
_Anonymous
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:03 pm
meekness
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
-
_Blind Beggar
- Posts: 1118
- Joined: Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:22 am
- Location: Portland, OR
As I understand it, the Greek word praus, which is translated “meek,” was used by ranchers to describe a colt that had been broken. It implies strength or power under control. One definition I saw said, “strong but humble.” It doesn’t mean lowly, spineless or utterly submissive in situations that demand strength.
Meekness has to do with how power and strength are used (with humility, gentleness, and respect).
Meekness has to do with how power and strength are used (with humility, gentleness, and respect).
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Hi Ann,
I regard meekness to be a very Christ-like, and therefore desirable, character trait, and a worthy subject of inquiry—especially as the word often evokes images that are not properly associated with it..
The Greek word for "meek" is often translated "gentle." The Mennonites that I have known have been a sweet and gentle people externally (perhaps internally as well, though I have no knowledge of their inner thoughts and motives). Such a manner can be learned as a result of awareness of community norms, and could be somewhat cultural—not always spiritual.
I do not make any judgments of Mennonites in this matter, and have always enjoyed their company. However, I am aware of a difference between a culturally-acquired "meekness" of manner, which may simply become conformity to the wishes of the community, on the one hand, and a spirit of godly meekness, which the Bible commends, on the other.
There is clearly a relationship between the concepts of meekness and humility, as well as that of submission or deference to the wishes of others. However, as in the cases you mentioned (Moses and Jesus) it is clear that being meek does not correspond to being spineless or wishy-washy.
I believe that meekness is essentially the opposite of self-willfullness or self-assertiveness. It doesn't mean that a meek person never presses for what is right against the opposition of other people. It means that the meek person is surrendered to the will of God with reference to his own wishes and preferences. This frees him/her to be assertive for what is right in the sight of God without having the judgment muddled by the domination of self-interest.
I think that a genuinely meek person must be humble enough to realize that he/she is no more important than is anyone else, and has no intrinsic claim on having things his/her way. That person is content to let others have their way, so long as the known will of God is not compromised by that deference.
Moses' meekness, in my opinion, is mentioned in connection with the fact that he was criticized by his siblings for having married a woman of whom they disapproved, and yet we do not find him responding defensively or returning criticism, but simply leaving his defense in the hands of God (Numbers 12:1-9). This is what Jesus did as well (1 Peter 2:21-23), and is often the course a Christian must take (Matt.5:38-44/ Rom.12:17-21/1 Peter 4:19/ James 5:6).
Moses' life (like that of Jesus) was spent pursuing the will of God, and absorbing whatever criticism or persecution came to him in the course of so doing.
Thus, meekness is not the same thing as unthinking conformity. It is a leadership quality, not only seen in Moses and Jesus (the two greatest leaders in history) but also in all ideal spiritual leaders (Gal.6:1/ 2 Tim.2:20-24-25). Obviously, a spiritual leader often has to take stands against wrong practices and beliefs, and so cannot please everyone. Submission to men is, therefore, secondary in importance to one's submission to God. When a whole community, or its most vocal spokesmen, are standing against the word of God, it would seem no breach of the meek and quiet spirit for one to firmly disagree with the consensus.
I regard meekness to be a very Christ-like, and therefore desirable, character trait, and a worthy subject of inquiry—especially as the word often evokes images that are not properly associated with it..
The Greek word for "meek" is often translated "gentle." The Mennonites that I have known have been a sweet and gentle people externally (perhaps internally as well, though I have no knowledge of their inner thoughts and motives). Such a manner can be learned as a result of awareness of community norms, and could be somewhat cultural—not always spiritual.
I do not make any judgments of Mennonites in this matter, and have always enjoyed their company. However, I am aware of a difference between a culturally-acquired "meekness" of manner, which may simply become conformity to the wishes of the community, on the one hand, and a spirit of godly meekness, which the Bible commends, on the other.
There is clearly a relationship between the concepts of meekness and humility, as well as that of submission or deference to the wishes of others. However, as in the cases you mentioned (Moses and Jesus) it is clear that being meek does not correspond to being spineless or wishy-washy.
I believe that meekness is essentially the opposite of self-willfullness or self-assertiveness. It doesn't mean that a meek person never presses for what is right against the opposition of other people. It means that the meek person is surrendered to the will of God with reference to his own wishes and preferences. This frees him/her to be assertive for what is right in the sight of God without having the judgment muddled by the domination of self-interest.
I think that a genuinely meek person must be humble enough to realize that he/she is no more important than is anyone else, and has no intrinsic claim on having things his/her way. That person is content to let others have their way, so long as the known will of God is not compromised by that deference.
Moses' meekness, in my opinion, is mentioned in connection with the fact that he was criticized by his siblings for having married a woman of whom they disapproved, and yet we do not find him responding defensively or returning criticism, but simply leaving his defense in the hands of God (Numbers 12:1-9). This is what Jesus did as well (1 Peter 2:21-23), and is often the course a Christian must take (Matt.5:38-44/ Rom.12:17-21/1 Peter 4:19/ James 5:6).
Moses' life (like that of Jesus) was spent pursuing the will of God, and absorbing whatever criticism or persecution came to him in the course of so doing.
Thus, meekness is not the same thing as unthinking conformity. It is a leadership quality, not only seen in Moses and Jesus (the two greatest leaders in history) but also in all ideal spiritual leaders (Gal.6:1/ 2 Tim.2:20-24-25). Obviously, a spiritual leader often has to take stands against wrong practices and beliefs, and so cannot please everyone. Submission to men is, therefore, secondary in importance to one's submission to God. When a whole community, or its most vocal spokesmen, are standing against the word of God, it would seem no breach of the meek and quiet spirit for one to firmly disagree with the consensus.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
In Jesus,
Steve
Steve