Meek (πραΰς) Meekness (πρᾳότητος) - An objectivity of Mind
Praus (πραΰς) means to have an objectivity of mind. It is not focused on the outward expression of feeling or appearance, but a tameness of spirit by which one accepts God’s dealings with the individual as good, thereby maintaining an objective frame of mind, not focusing on the circumstances.
Often in our English Bibles this word is translated as meek, gentle, or humble; however, within Scripture we run into an issue with these interpretations because there are other Greek words with these meanings that are used with praus (πραΰς), showing they are not synonymous. The English word meekness does not actually come from the Greek and its origin is a bit unknown past the Germanic meukaz, which means soft, that was picked up by the Latin. Therefore, to understand what the word means, we have to examine how it is used in the Koine Greek language in comparison to the words that it is mistranslated as.
We are first introduced to praus (πραΰς) in Matthew 5:5 during the sermon on the mount when Jesus states that those who are meek will be happy. This is a time in which Israel is in the wilderness due to the man of lawlessness setting himself up as God in the temple. This is not describing someone who is humble, gentle, or timid, but maintains a focus of the mind on the truth of the coming Messiah. Jesus later speaks of His yoke as meek and humble in the heart in Matthew 11:29, which means meekness cannot mean humble. In Matthew 21:5, meek is used for a quote from Zechariah 9:9 which is the Hebrew word a-ni (עָנָי) that means lowly or afflicted but does not mean humble (עָנָה – Genesis 16:9); rather, it is a tameness of spirit that controls the mind. In the case of Matthew 21:5, the Greek word praus (πραΰς) is used when quoting it, expressing an objectivity of mind in Christ as He entered Jerusalem, knowing what is going to happen to Him. A-naw (עָנָו) is also used to describe Moses in Numbers 12:3 and is based upon hope (Psalm 9:18), neither of which express humility, and is often confused with words used for afflicted (עָנִי), needy (אֶבְיוֹן), weak (דַּל), and humility (עָנָה). Lowliness or humility (ταπεινοφροσύνης) is expressed in Ephesians 4:2 along with meekness, eliminating this definition for praus (πραΰς). In 2 Corinthians 10:1, we have gentleness (ἐπιεικείας) used with meekness (πραΰτης) by someone who is humble (ταπεινός).
In Galatians 6:1, we find the use of meekness in a way that gives us clarity on its actual meaning, for within the context you are to be scoping yourself out to ensure your attention to the solution is not lost and you become tempted, which requires an objectivity of mind. Brethren, if also a man is overcome in some trespass, you, the Spiritual ones, restore this one in a spirit of meekness (objectivity of mind), scoping out yourselves in order that you are not tempted. In 1 Corinthians 4:21, Paul is asking if he should be coming with a rod or in love and with a spirit of objectivity of mind, for he is not referring to a gentle spirit as he is dealing with those who are sinning within the assembly and the ones boasting about them. Objectivity of mind is to be used when correcting those who oppose themselves so that they are brought to a change of mind and escape the snare of the Devil (2 Timothy 2:24-26). This is done by one who is tender like a nursing mother cherishes her child (1 Thessalonians 2:7), as they express an objectivity of mind concerning the truth.
As the elect of God, we are to put on humility (ταπεινοφροσύνην), kindness (χρηστότητα), longsuffering (μακροθυμίαν), and meekness (πραΰτητα), and be ready for every good work while being peaceable, gentle, and showing our objectivity of mind (πραΰτης) to all (Titus 3:2). Meekness is therefore an objectivity of mind that is a result of a tamed spirit because of the hope one has concerning the promises from God and is to be used with humility, gentleness, and kindness as we outwardly show the hope that we have within by living a life that is based upon the promises from God.
Meek (πραΰς) Meekness (πρᾳότητος) - An objectivity of Mind
Praus (πραΰς) means to have an objectivity of mind. It is not focused on the outward expression of feeling or appearance, but a tameness of spirit by which one accepts God’s dealings with the individual as good, thereby maintaining an objective frame of mind, not focusing on the circumstances.
Often in our English Bibles this word is translated as meek, gentle, or humble; however, within Scripture we run into an issue with these interpretations because there are other Greek words with these meanings that are used with praus (πραΰς), showing they are not synonymous. The English word meekness does not actually come from the Greek and its origin is a bit unknown past the Germanic meukaz, which means soft, that was picked up by the Latin. Therefore, to understand what the word means, we have to examine how it is used in the Koine Greek language in comparison to the words that it is mistranslated as.
We are first introduced to praus (πραΰς) in Matthew 5:5 during the sermon on the mount when Jesus states that those who are meek will be happy. This is a time in which Israel is in the wilderness due to the man of lawlessness setting himself up as God in the temple. This is not describing someone who is humble, gentle, or timid, but maintains a focus of the mind on the truth of the coming Messiah. Jesus later speaks of His yoke as meek and humble in the heart in Matthew 11:29, which means meekness cannot mean humble. In Matthew 21:5, meek is used for a quote from Zechariah 9:9 which is the Hebrew word a-ni (עָנָי) that means lowly or afflicted but does not mean humble (עָנָה – Genesis 16:9); rather, it is a tameness of spirit that controls the mind. In the case of Matthew 21:5, the Greek word praus (πραΰς) is used when quoting it, expressing an objectivity of mind in Christ as He entered Jerusalem, knowing what is going to happen to Him. A-naw (עָנָו) is also used to describe Moses in Numbers 12:3 and is based upon hope (Psalm 9:18), neither of which express humility, and is often confused with words used for afflicted (עָנִי), needy (אֶבְיוֹן), weak (דַּל), and humility (עָנָה). Lowliness or humility (ταπεινοφροσύνης) is expressed in Ephesians 4:2 along with meekness, eliminating this definition for praus (πραΰς). In 2 Corinthians 10:1, we have gentleness (ἐπιεικείας) used with meekness (πραΰτης) by someone who is humble (ταπεινός).
In Galatians 6:1, we find the use of meekness in a way that gives us clarity on its actual meaning, for within the context you are to be scoping yourself out to ensure your attention to the solution is not lost and you become tempted, which requires an objectivity of mind. Brethren, if also a man is overcome in some trespass, you, the Spiritual ones, restore this one in a spirit of meekness (objectivity of mind), scoping out yourselves in order that you are not tempted. In 1 Corinthians 4:21, Paul is asking if he should be coming with a rod or in love and with a spirit of objectivity of mind, for he is not referring to a gentle spirit as he is dealing with those who are sinning within the assembly and the ones boasting about them. Objectivity of mind is to be used when correcting those who oppose themselves so that they are brought to a change of mind and escape the snare of the Devil (2 Timothy 2:24-26). This is done by one who is tender like a nursing mother cherishes her child (1 Thessalonians 2:7), as they express an objectivity of mind concerning the truth.
As the elect of God, we are to put on humility (ταπεινοφροσύνην), kindness (χρηστότητα), longsuffering (μακροθυμίαν), and meekness (πραΰτητα), and be ready for every good work while being peaceable, gentle, and showing our objectivity of mind (πραΰτης) to all (Titus 3:2). Meekness is therefore an objectivity of mind that is a result of a tamed spirit because of the hope one has concerning the promises from God and is to be used with humility, gentleness, and kindness as we outwardly show the hope that we have within by living a life that is based upon the promises from God.