“The object of this virtue of meekness is man’s neighbor, that is, every person. Meekness is also practiced toward God; it relates to His commandments being embraced with a compliant and willing soul. James speaks of this: “Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).
It also pertains to chastisements to which one quietly submits his soul without fretfulness. Aaron thus remained silent when his children were burned (Lev. 10:3). When Eli received a grievous message, he said, “It is the LORD: let Him do what seemeth Him good” (1 Sam. 3:18).
However, our reference here is to meekness which is manifested toward people—regardless of whether they are good or evil, godly or ungodly, deal tenderly or harshly, or deal righteously or unrighteously with us.
Velvet remains soft irrespective of whether it is handled roughly or gently, whether it is stroked by a soft hand or a hand which is rough and callous. This is also true for a meek person, since his disposition is not of an external nature, and is not dependent upon the manner in which he is treated.
Rather, the soul has this disposition when she is not in the presence of any person as well as in the absence of the occurrence of any event. Thus, such a person will remain the same regardless of how the events he encounters may vary. “… Showing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2).
The essence of this virtue consists in having an even-tempered disposition of heart. Since all that satisfies man must come from an external source, he has a desire for, and is inclined toward, that which he believes will satisfy him.
Since he does not have God in view at all (or only partially), he focuses either fully or partially upon that which is of the world. More particularly, he desires that toward which he is most inclined, or what most suits his abilities.
Since people have desires toward the same thing, and thus are a hindrance to each other, the heart of those who are hindered in achieving their objective will be stirred up and tossed to and fro by an inner turmoil—as if they were at sea during a storm.
A meek person has chosen God to be his portion, however, and perceives all that is in the world to be vanity, and knows that no one will either speak or do anything except God wills it.
Thus, as he trusts in God, his heart will be even-tempered and fixed. His heart is neither in turmoil nor restless, but is of an even-tempered, steadfast, and peaceful disposition. If someone assaults him in either word or deed, he will be as an even shore upon which the tempestuous waves crash and then trickle away playfully.
This disposition is expressed in the following passages: “His heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD” (Psa. 112:7); “Truly my soul waiteth upon God” (Psa. 62:1); “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous” (Prov. 2:7).
This even-temperedness is accompanied by:
(1) Flexibility; a meek person is cooperative and will adjust himself to another person; that is, insofar as it is not contrary to God’s will. “Yea, all of you be subject one to another” (1 Pet. 5:5).
(2) Agreeableness; the meek person stubbornly insists neither upon his own will nor upon his own judgment in temporal and neutral matters—as long as it is not contrary to God’s law. He will listen to the views of and comply with the will of others; he will readily permit himself to be persuaded to that end. “But the wisdom that is from above is … peaceable” (James 3:17).
(3) Loveliness; the meek person is charming in his speech and actions. He is good-natured, a pleasure to deal with, and friendly, so that it is a delight to interact with him. “Whatsoever things are lovely … think on these things” (Phil. 4:8); “… be … gentle, showing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2); “Let your moderation be known unto all men” (Phil. 4:5); “Be courteous” (1 Pet. 3:8).
God is the moving cause of meekness. Man is naturally inclined to lose his temper, be angry, rancorous, and as prickly as a thorn bush which one cannot touch without being injured by it.
However, when God regenerates a man according to the image of the meek Jesus, He grants him a meek heart. The apostle therefore also lists meekness among the fruits of the Spirit. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is… meekness’ (Gal. 5:23).”
–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), 81-82.
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