The Commands of Jesus

[A.W. Bowman]

Part 10

MEEKNESS

Now this subject requires a little background.

The English definition for meekness, or meek, is: (1) Humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness, (2) Very docile, (3) Evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant. Meekness is defined as being (1) The feeling of patient, submissive humbleness, (2) A disposition to be patient and long suffering.

As used in the first example given below, the Greek term, Praos means gentle, mild, meek. I’ll let you look the definition for gentle and mild. Another term usedin this verse is Tapeinos, translated as lowly, used as a metaphor meaning (1) a. as a condition, lowly, of low degree b. brought low with grief, depressed c. lowly in spirit, humble

A third term that should be noted in number one for correct interpretation of the verse is Zugos, ‘yoke’. Another word that is used as a metaphor meaning, troublesome laws imposed on one, hence the term is so transferred to the commands of Christ as to contrast them with the commands of the Pharisees which were a veritable 'yoke'; yet even Christ's commands must be submitted to, though easier (?) to be kept. (Edited excerpt from NET Bible comments)

1. "Take my yoke upon you, for I am meek and lowly in heart" Matt. 11:29
2. "The princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, but it shall not be so among you" Matt. 20:25-26
3. "Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all" Mark 10:43-44
4. "Be not ye called Rabbi" Matt. 23:8
5. "Sit not down in the highest room" [or chief seats] Luke 14:8-11 [Also see Matthew 23:6]
6. "Rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you" Luke 10:20

Therefore, in number one we have a metaphoric statement which paints us a picture (as with all Hebraic thinking, even when expressed in the Greek language). What is it? For extra study, compare this picture to the times when Jesus is confronted by the religious leaders of the day, the cleansing of the Temple, and Jesus during His trial. The question then becomes, how does this, and similar verses (Matt 5:5) are to be reconciled and practiced in one’s daily life?

Numbers two and three go together and it is a hard one. How does one become a “servant leader” and what does it look like in practice? Personally, I would love to hear this taught!

Now we come to number four. This one affects me personally because I am often referred to as Rabbi or Rebbe (a term of endearment for a Bible teacher or scholar [a serious student] who may not have a traditional Jewish ordination – that’s me) by a number of folks. So, why do I continue to allow that? Are you sometimes referred to as a Bible teacher? Why do you allow it? [Remember: context, also see my previous post]. Also see James 3:1; what does the term ‘master’ mean in this verse? So, what is Jesus saying number four? Why? What is it that one should be on guard against? BTW, I am not looking for more people to call me Rabbi! LOL

Number five. The front row of the pews? The platform chairs? What is Jesus getting at here? To whom does it apply? How? When? What does this have to do with ‘meekness’?

Finally number six. Do you have and exercise spiritual authority? Why? For what purpose? One should be careful in how they approach and answer that; it could be a ‘black hole’!

Okay, that should be enough for one day’s study.

OUR LOVE TO THE BRETHREN

On a number of forums these instructions seem to have been lost, or at least ignored to some extent. So, perhaps we should reconsider them – and even put them into practice.

1. "Love one another as I have loved you" John 15:12
2. "Despise not one of these little ones" Matt. 18:10-14
3. "Have peace one with another and be reconciled to thy brother" Mark 9:50; Matt. 5:23-24
4. "If thy brother trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone" Matt. 18:15-17
5. "If thy brother trespass against thee seven times a day thou shalt forgive him" Luke 17:3-4; Matt. 18:21-22
6. "Judge not according to appearance, first cast the beam out of thine own eye" John 7:24; Matt. 7:1-5
7. "Condemn not" Luke 6:37

Number one:. Question: How did Jesus love His disciples – how did He express that love, and how are we to do likewise?

Number two. This one can be a little tricky. Is Jesus speaking only of ‘children’ or is He including something else? Consider the history of His disciples during the three years ministry of Jesus. I am not at all sure, but there may be more to this that first meets the eye.
Number three: This one may be a little difficult to practice. What do you think?

Number four. Many times (most of the time?) we confuse this instruction with the need to make correction of spiritual transgressions (sin) of a brother or sister. While the instructions on how, when and where one should correct an elder or a member of the congregation is discussed by the Apostles, we can still look to the four gospels to see how Jesus made these corrections/reproofs.
As recorded, each correction/reproof was always recorded as being made at the time and place of its occurrence – without regard as to who else might be present. This subject of handling personal trespass and spiritual correction needs to really be studied again.

Number five. This is an extension of number four.

Number six. While this is a very short verse, but within its context it becomes very difficult to practice. One reason is that many continue to confuse the purpose and practice of correction, reproof, judgment and condemnation in personal conflicts and spiritual failure (sin). Who is authorized to do what and when?

Number seven. What does it mean to ‘condemn’? One might like to check out the terms, judging and condemning, as both terms occur in this verse. Also, there should be no contradiction between what you find here and what the Apostles taught. This same instruction applies to everything we are covering in this list.

Time for a little self examination.