An attitude of humble, submissive and expectant trust in God, and a loving, patient and gentle attitude towards others.
Meekness required by God
Zephaniah 2:3 See also Proverbs 16:19; 1 Peter 3:4
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
God's promises to the meek
Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5; 1 Peter 5:5 See also Psalm 25:9, Psalm 69:32 In Scripture, “the poor” frequently represent the humble, godly poor; Psalm 147:6; Isaiah 29:19, Isaiah 66:2; Zephaniah 3:11–12; James 4:6
But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
God acts to save the meek
Psalm 34:5–6 See also 2 Samuel 22:28; Psalm 10:12, Psalm 10:17, Psalm 18:27, Psalm 45:4, Psalm 76:9, Psalm 149:4; Proverbs 3:34
Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.
Meekness is a correct attitude in prayer
Psalm 40:17 See also Psalm 70:5
But I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my helper and deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
Godly wisdom produces meekness
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Examples of meekness
Moses
Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.
David
See also 2 Samuel 16:11–12
Ahab
Job
Jeremiah
Jeremiah 11:19 See also Jeremiah 26:14
For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”
Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ
Stephen
Paul
Meekness in the life of Jesus Christ
Matthew 11:29; 2 Corinthians 10:1 See also Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 21:5; Mark 14:61; Luke 23:34; 1 Peter 2:23
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.
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you — I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
Meekness is expected in the life of the Christian
A necessary characteristic
Ephesians 4:2 See also Galatians 5:23; Philippians 2:3, Philippians 4:5; Colossians 3:12; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 3:8
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Towards enemies
Matthew 5:39–41; Romans 12:17–20
In leadership
In witness
In discipline
Galatians 6:1 See also 1 Corinthians 4:21; 2 Timothy 2:25; Hebrews 5:2
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
In the family
Ephesians 5:22, Ephesians 5:24, Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:18–20
In society
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.