Written by Paul J Bucknell on June, 25, 2025

Matthew 5:5 The Majesty of Meekness: How Gentleness Unlocks Spiritual Strength

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth” (Mat 5:5). (NASB)

“Blessed are the meek…” (NIV).

The lively debate around the dinner table began when one young boy claimed he was stronger than his older brother. The rest of the boys knew better—and perhaps the little boy did too—but it set off a cascade of boasting. “I’m stronger than him!” or “Look at my muscles!” Even if we don’t always say it out loud, many of us harbor thoughts of superiority—about our strength, intelligence, wealth, or status. Over time, we may become more refined in how we express it, but the impulse remains.

If human nature is like this, how can we ever become meek? Do we genuinely want to be gentle? The real issue with comparing our strengths isn’t that someone should be stronger or more intelligent, but that we often view ourselves in a way that overlooks God’s purposes for us.

What does Jesus mean by applauding meekness? How can a meek person be blessed? Why would a strong person want to be meek? After all, who would choose to be gentle, especially when they can use their strength to shape the outcomes?

1. Description of Meekness

In today’s world, meekness is often misunderstood and undervalued. We cannot appreciate its virtue. Meekness was not historically emulated as a noble character trait by the Greeks (prah-oose). They did not believe that happiness could come to him who was humble. Confucianism, however, valued this quality. Meekness certainly doesn’t fit into the modern world’s dictionary. Modern words include “control, power, persuasive, assertive, and independent.” If we think about who might be happy, we often think of the powerful, rich, and strong. But Jesus declared, 'Blessed are the meek.' Why? What does this virtue mean?

“Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. (Is. 41:17, Lu. 18:1-8) Gentleness or meekness is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will.” (Gal. 5:23)[Online Bible]

A tame horse is a good example of meekness. The wild horse has its own will and no recognized master. However, the master arrives and begins to train the horse to recognize his authority and obey commands. The true test is whether the rider can stay on the horse. If he can, then the horse is forced to accept the master's control. This is the contest at the big rodeo, where man challenges beast. The horse fiercely resists, trying to throw off the rider. Once the horse is broken, it is more eager to learn and follow commands.

The first two beatitudes are essential because man is naturally like that wild beast, very unwilling and stubbornly resistant to any but himself. But when God’s Spirit begins to draw near to our souls, we suddenly become ‘broken’ or poor in spirit. We see ourselves for the first time and mourn over how foolishly we have lived in the world. Only after the Spirit has conquered our hearts are we able to live humbly and submit to His command and will. Those who claim to be Christians but live without regard to the teachings of Christ clearly show the Spirit of Christ has not truly conquered them.

“And in Thy majesty ride on victoriously, For the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; Let Thy right hand teach Thee awesome things” (Ps 45:4, NASB).

Some will ask, “What good is it being meek?” People will trample all over you. But we answer with Christ that only by being meek and humble can you truly be of any value. Without this humble calling, we are ignoring our life’s purposes. Is it when we are wild that we are most helpful? No. A horse becomes valuable only when it has learned to instantly and without resistance obey its master’s voice. Only when we are broken and listen quickly to every Word of our Creator can anything good be achieved with our lives.

Our self-expression, gifts, talents, and preferences were never meant to be used apart from God’s will. God has equipped us to serve Him more effectively. The trained horse, the meek horse, is the most valuable. In the same way, it is with God’s servants. Moses was called the meekest man on earth (Num 12:3). Moses was not lesser; he was a great man with vast experiences—Egypt’s finest education, multilingual and cultural training, experiences as both king and pauper, manager and servant. He led the people out of Egypt's bondage. God can work most effectively through a person’s meekness.

The meek man believes that God will bring about justice in His own time. His focus is not on defending himself, but on obeying God in all things.

Our natural desires innately combat a meek spirit.

2. Demonstration of Meekness

Can gentleness be lived out? Absolutely. Jesus Christ is our perfect model of meekness.

“Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS” (Matt 11:29).

“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!” (2 Cor 10:1)

The words of Jesus Christ are radical. Today, a professor needs the title of Doctor before people are willing to learn from him. Jesus, however, knew and believed the Old Testament scripture: “But the humble will inherit the land” (Psalm 37:11). In the gospel of Matthew, story after story illustrates the humility of Jesus Christ. This humility is not only described in Philippians chapter 2, where He gave up His rights to His divine powers, but also in how He humbly walked among the people and even died as a criminal. Everything He did reflected His submission to His Father’s will.

“Behold your king is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a best of burden’” (Matt 21:5).

Although Jesus had neither wealth nor social status to boast about, the crowds eagerly listened to Him. Being meek, He fully committed to doing His Father’s will. The atheist may not understand this virtue because it depends on God’s greater power and rejects the world’s way of seeking success. From birth to death, Jesus continually sought and obeyed His Father’s will. He said in John 6:38, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

Meekness defined Christ’s incredible life, enabling Him to perfectly obey and trust the Father in heaven, even when the situation seemed difficult and unjust. Christ was stripped, beaten, mocked, scourged, and then crucified. Meekness is not weakness. As I tell my children, the strongest person is the one who can control themselves.

3. Demand for Meekness

Meekness is not optional for believers. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and a mark of discipleship (Gal 5:22-23; in Greek the same word). Gentleness is the humble yet vital kind of treatment of others that comes from the Spirit of God. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23).

“But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance [and] gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Tim 6:11-12).

Paul told Timothy, 'Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith' (1 Tim 6:11-12). Notice how gentleness precedes the call to fight—it is not weakness, but strength under control.

Meekness doesn't mean lacking power; it means choosing not to misuse my power and privileges. We rely on God to protect what He has entrusted to us. Many think that Christian ministry starts with control and manipulation, trying to handle ourselves confidently like CEOs. Consider Paul’s example in 2 Cor 10💯 “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!”

The meek don’t place their hope in earthly rewards but in God’s promise. Jesus assures them: they will inherit the earth.

Those who rely solely on their own strength feel insecure because everything depends on them. They must manage everything and are therefore constantly seeking to maintain control. They perform well when everything goes their way, but they become greatly angered or worried when things are beyond their control. They cannot trust things to God’s hands. The godly leader has disciplined himself to do what is right and good, leading from character rather than ability. Ability and charisma can be masks for true character. We need to examine our lives closely to see whether we are content without position and authority as we are with them. The scriptural standards for elders and deacons are primarily tested by character.

Application

We sometimes fool ourselves into thinking that degrees or titles make us more effective. But God uses both educated Paul and uneducated Peter. The accurate measure of a servant is not credentials, but character, calling, and obedience.
This relates to how we raise children and disciple others. If we do not teach meekness, we fail to prepare them for true Christian maturity. Children should be taught to respect authority, rather than demanding their way. Without self-control and submission, genuine obedience cannot be achieved.
Similarly, teens must relinquish their freedoms to their parents. As they move toward adulthood, they transfer their loyalty to God, and women transfer their loyalty to their husbands. In rejecting authority, our generation weakens social stability.
Freedom depends on discipline. Without discipline, true freedom cannot exist.
When the meek are mistreated, they do not lose hope. Their confidence is rooted in God’s promise: 'they shall inherit the earth.’

Conclusion

Like little boys at the table, we often compete and boast. Even the disciples argued among themselves. Who is greater? If we assert our issues and solutions, our plans and opinions, then we will face increasing antagonism.

Gentleness is not for a few elite Christians but for all. We must insist on its virtue for ourselves and so train others. Our greatest strength lies not in our raw ability, but in our willingness to obey God.