“Humility begets meekness, and it is the latter we now wish to discuss. We shall consider it in a comprehensive sense; that is, as far as it includes longsuffering and tolerance. In Hebrew it is the word ענוה (‘anawah), which is a derivative from a word, which among other things, means: to be humbled, to humble one’s self, to be submissive, and to be oppressed. Other derivatives include poor, oppressed, and wretched.
Thus, in the vernacular, meekness is expressive of a poor, humble disposition as far as the human use of this expression is concerned. In Greek we have the word πραότης (praotes), which is a derivative of a word meaning “to transfer.” This refers to a person who readily establishes contact with others and with whom others easily make contact in turn.
It can also refer to presence of mind. This is indicative of a person who always has his presence of mind and does not lose self-control as a result of anger. Our Dutch word, being a composite form of the words “tender” and “heart,” expresses this disposition very well. Thus, it refers to a heart that is tender in its dealings.
Meekness is the believer’s even-tempered disposition of heart which issues forth from union with God in Christ, consisting in self-denial and love for his neighbor. This results in having fellowship with his neighbor in an agreeable, congenial, and loving manner; in relinquishing his rights; in enduring the violation of his rights without becoming angry, being forgiving, and in rewarding it with good.
This virtue also resides in the heart. The understanding, having been enlightened, perceives the vanity and transitory nature of all that is to be found in the world—and that it is not worthy of our being disturbed about upon it being removed from us, nor of going to great lengths to attain it.
The enlightened understanding is acquainted with the evil of human nature, its readiness to yield to wrath, and the readiness of the natural man to do injury to his neighbor either by words or deeds. The enlightened understanding perceives that irritableness and anger are foolish sentiments which neither yield restoration nor prevent harm.
Instead, they aggravate the matter and will inflict more damage. It thus deems it best to endure all things and remain silent. Meekness is therefore wisdom. “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).
The will loves this virtue, embraces it, and by way of exercise is increasingly able to control and govern the affections, in order that they do not become too violent and too disorderly. To be tender in countenance and words can frequently be nothing more than hypocrisy.
The very term “meekness” implies that the heart must be tender. If the soul is in such a frame, then whatever issues forth from this fountain will cause the entire disposition of a person—as well as his countenance and words—to be unpretentious and tender. “… even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit” (1 Pet. 3:4).”
–Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, ed. Joel R. Beeke, trans. Bartel Elshout, vol. 4: Ethics and Eschatology (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 1995), 79–80.
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