“Meekness” is NOT weakness!

Although it is sometimes (mis) understood that way.

I’m speaking of “meekness” as a “fruit of the (Holy) Spirit,” of course. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, MEEKNESS, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

The Greek noun is “praotes.” meaning “mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit.” 

Sometimes a word can be studied by contrasting it with its polar opposite. Paul did this in 1st Corinthians 4:21. “What will ye? shall I come unto you with a ROD, or in love, and in the spirit of MEEKNESS?” See the two antithetical choices?

Paul also (later) mentions Jesus as the Paragon of Meekness. Here in 2nd Corinthians 10:1 … “Now I Paul myself beseech you by the MEEKNESS (“praotes”) and gentleness of Christ,” where “meekness” and “gentleness” are clearly parallels.

Again, Galatians 6:1 helps us better understand the word. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of MEEKNESS; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Help the fallen one, but not as a know-it-all, rather as a lowly fellow-traveler! As a “meek” person, Christian.

Apparently, Preachers especially need meekness! “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, MEEKNESS.” 1st Timothy 6:11 (a “Pastoral” Epistle), where the verb “follow” means “to pursue, to chase, to run after!”

Here’s a wonderful goal for the godly leader: “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all MEEKNESS unto all men.” Titus 3:2, toward everybody!

According to James, the only way to really learn God’s Word is to approach it meekly, as hungry people! “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with MEEKNESS the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21, the exact reference. Here it looks like some sins (“filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness”) will negate one’s desire for meekness.

This too, godly Wisdom does NOT make one proud and vain … “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with MEEKNESS of wisdom.” James 3:13, but instead comes with “meekness, lowliness, humility!”

All this being said, I am not yet satisfied with my “stab” at defining “meekness.”

Let me add one more thought. “Meekness” IS NOT weakness, as I said earlier … but “meekness” IS … “strength under control!” 

As when a big strong man … fully able to defend himself, “yields” sweetly and quietly to the instructions (maybe even the discipline) of an elderly (but wise) old Pastor, who is issuing a word of correction!

Not fighting, though well capable of doing so, but sweetly obeying, giving in, forbearing!

That’s Bible “meekness!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

In the Greek/Romans world “meekness” was NOT a desirable trait! They actually despised such a person! But once Jesus came … to those who love Him anyway … “meekness” became a virtue!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I AM MEEK and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Our Lord in Matthew 11:28-29, amazing!

 

Peter (2 Peter 1:5-7) starts his “list” with “faith!”

Not Paul, not here.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH, meekness and temperance,” says our Apostle in Galatians 5:22-23.

Why the difference?

Peter is tracing our spiritual growth from beginning to end, from first believing in Christ until finally reaching that golden plateau of genuine Christian “love!”

Paul is, on the other hand, enumerating the “traits” of being filled with the Holy Spirit of God, so very filled that He reproduces Himself in us, his Characteristics!

Paul is not insisting on any particular order, either.

Peter is deliberately using the imperative verb “add” for emphasis! As in, “add to the one the other,” or ” add to the first the second!” (“Giving all diligence, ADD to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness,” etc.) Yes, here the word order is crucial!

But quickly back to Paul now.

When he writes “faith” as one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit “in” us, “controlling” us … he utilizes the little Greek noun “pistis.” And the word (honestly) often means “belief, reliance, trust.”

But “pistis” can also have the thrust (here not a change in word meaning but in a change in emphasis) of “FAITHFULNESS.” Belief and its resulting behavior (acting on that belief) that lasts and lasts and lasts, a whole lifetime! 

I believe that is what Paul is saying.

The Holy Spirit, Who long ago introduced us Christians to “faith,” to “believing faith” (at the very moment we were saved) now (this far into the “list”) seeks to produce in us “faithfulness!” As we grow, develop, mature … this glorious quality of “faithfulness” should become more and more apparent in our lives!

As in: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58, King James Version.

One reputable Bible commentator defines “pistis” here as: “fidelity, loyalty, long range trustworthiness.” Which is identical to saying (what we call) “FAITHFULNESS!”

Being “steady” for Jesus!

Not wavering!

Being able to say, when the end of earthly life comes … “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Paul’s words, quoted from 2 Timothy 4:7.

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

What a challenge!

 

Today’s “fruit” sounds nearly generic.

“Goodness,” wrote the Apostle Paul, is one of the Traits of Almighty God!

Here is the list as it has developed so far: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, (and now today) GOODNESS …” Galatians 5:22

Its parent word, the Greek noun “agathosune,” is only used 4 times in all the New Testament, as a NOUN mind you. But as an adjective, I count 102 more times! 

Paul was thrilled that the Christians in Rome were “full of goodness.” Romans 15:14, using our very word today, “agathosune.” (Being “full of the Spirit” then implies being “full of this kind of goodness!”)

Then in Ephesians 5:9-10 (Paul’s abbreviated list of the “fruit of the Spirit”) the word once again appears. “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all GOODNESS and righteousness and truth; proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” 

And here’s what I consider a key verse about “goodness,” 2 Thessalonians 1:11, where “goodness” is simply one of God’s Attributes … shared with mankind, with people who have trusted Jesus specifically. “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of HIS (God’s) GOODNESS, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you ….” 

Now that we have seen how the Holy Spirit (the True Author of Scripture) uses this little noun, we can maybe define it more clearly.

One scholar does so this way: “Goodness is that magnanimous generosity in an individual which issues in his or her GOING BEYOND what is merely required by community standards.” 

Doing MORE than is asked or expected!

Another Greek teacher suggests that “gentleness” and “goodness” (both in our “Fruit” List) are closely related. But that “goodness” is far more outward in its reach, in its activity! Often fervent activity at that!

One might say that “goodness” is “kindness” on steroids!

Going the second mile!

“Good Samaritan” (I know that sounds redundant) goodness, perhaps! That which keeps on doing and doing! Helping and helping!

Wow!

Now to apply, do YOU know anyone today to whom you can “be good?”

Who might be encouraged by the “kindness in action” (in abundant plentitude) the Holy Spirit is “growing” in you as a born-again Christian?

If so, you now know what “to do.”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Oh, may we all (in the sense of today’s Lesson, today’s “word”) BE GOOD! 

 

The indwelling Holy Spirit (a condition true only of genuine Christians) seeks to produce in us the grace (spiritual trait) of “gentleness.” 

As in: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, GENTLENESS, goodness, faith …” Galatians 5:22, plus two more to come, “meekness and temperance.”

In Greek “gentleness” is “chrestotes.”

A noun which is only found 10 times in the New Testament, always in Paul’s writings/letters!

It is variously translated (in the King James Version) as “goodness” 4 times, and “kindness” 4 more times and then simply “good” 1 time. Plus our Text here , where it is rendered as “gentleness,” but just this once!

In Romans 2:4 we are succinctly told that “The GOODNESS of God leadeth to repentance.” That’s our word, chrestotes! This is the first time it occurs in the New Testament.

Apparently, based on Romans 3:12, this “gentleness/goodness” is a “rare find” in mankind, in humanity! “There is none that doeth GOOD, no, not one.”

Wow!

Ephesians 2:7 teaches me (informs me) that God’s “gentleness/kindness” is eternal! (So growing this kind of “fruit” in our lives is, in a way, just becoming more like our God in Heaven!)

And Titus 3:4 declares that Jesus is the very “epitome” of  this “kindness!”  When Jesus came to earth … “kindness” came as well!

But when our noun “kindness” become an adjective, then being spelled “chrestos,” Bible writers other than Paul employ it. Peter does, for example: “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is GRACIOUS.” 1 Peter 2:3, but the very same truths are still being emphasized.

I guess you could summarize “gentleness” this way, based on the foregoing Scripture. Treating others the same way God has treated you! 

In the Greek Old Testament, God’s very judgments are even declared to be “gentle” or “kind!” In Psalm 119:39 this is so. Where the Psalmist begs: “Turn away my reproach which I fear: for Thy judgments are good (chrestos).” Wow, what a prayer!

Yes, “gentleness” is bringing one of God’s most prominent attributes into our hearts and sharing it with others, from family to friends and ultimately (whenever possible) to everyone!

One Greek scholar, from many years ago, always defined our word as: “The inability to be harsh!” I guess I will never forget that “catchy” little line.

Yes, the Holy Spirit is then the Spirit of “kindness!” 

And may He so endow us!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

One more quick instance please. When Jesus taught: “My yoke is EASY and My burden is light,” (Matthew 11:30) our King James translators chose “chrestos” for the English adjective “easy!”

A GENTLE Saviour, indeed!

 

Good Monday morning!

Let’s continue our study of what Paul calls “the fruit of the Spirit.” 

Now today we add to the list “longsuffering.” 

Of  course (as I just said) we’re merely following Paul the Apostle, master list-builder!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, LONGSUFFERING, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance,” Galatians 5:22-23 … this well know and admirable “list of nine!”

But for sure … “longsuffering” now has become a rather archaic word. (In the Greek language “arche” simply means “beginning.”)

Spelled “makrothumia,” the noun is compound, a “blend” of a preposition with a noun!

The prefix/preposition “makro” means “of great length,” or “long lasting.” It may ultimately even relate to “megas,” meaning “big, great, huge!” 

Then we must add “thumos,” indicating “passion, fierceness, indignation,” and then “anger or wrath!” Very intensive emotion, definitely!

Put these two words (ideas) together and we get “anger” that does not erupt quickly! Or … anger/wrath that is slow developing! 

One scholar says “longsuffering” is “forbearance,” or simply “putting up with something” without exploding so easily, so quickly!

Wow!

Now let’s look at how “makrothumia” is used in the New Testament. Noticing how God the Holy Spirit (the True Author of Scripture) uses the term.

I find the word 14 times in all, including our Text here today. Below is a sampling (though just a couple) of these … with a brief comment or two.

Here’s its very first use, first appearance in the New Testament: Romans 2:4 … “Or despisest thou the riches of His (God’s) goodness and forbearance and LONGSUFFERING (makrothumia); not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” We Christians can thus exercise (show) longsuffering because God has first shown it to, toward us!

But for sure the preponderance of times “makrothumia” is used in he Bible it applies to us Believers in Jesus! (The Latin verb “pondere” means “to make heavy.”)

As in Paul’s Colossians list of what is essentially the fruit of the Spirit, just worded differently! Colossians 3:12-13 … “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, LONGSUFFERING; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Putting up with one another graciously, without harsh interaction!) 

Wow!

One more general “thought” or “rule” about longsuffering. Though occasionally translated “patience” (2 times of the 14 times it’s used in the New Testament) “makrothumia” generally suggests a “non-hasty (or rash) reaction” to PEOPLE! Those especially hard to love people in our lives. They do appear on the horizon from time to time, don’t they! Whereas “hupomone” (the other New Testament word for “patience”) generally deals with non-violent reactions … to THINGS! 

Wow!

“Longsuffering” then is in reality the very opposite of being “short tempered!” 

God, grant it in our lives!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell