Meekness
Meekness (עִנוָה, πραότης), a calm, serene temper of mind, not easily ruffled or provoked to resentment (Jas 3:7-8). Where the great principles of Christianity have disciplined the soul, where the holy grace of meekness reigns, it subdues the impetuous disposition, and causes it, trusting in God, both to submit and to forgive. It teaches us to govern our own anger whenever we are at any time provoked, and patiently to bear' the anger of others, that it may not be a provocation to us. The former is its office, especially in superiors; the latter in inferiors, and both in equals (Jas 3:13). The excellency of such a spirit appears, if we consider that it enables us to gain a victory over corrupt nature (Pr 16:32); that it is a beauty and an ornament to human beings (1Pe 3:4); that it is obedience to God's word, and conformity to the best patterns (Eph 5:1; Eph 2; Php 4:8). It is productive of the highest peace to the professor (Lu 21:19; Mt 11:28-29). It fits us for any duty, instruction, relation, condition, or persecution (Php 4:11-12). To obtain this spirit, consider that it is a divine injunction (Zep 2:3; Col 3:12; 1Ti 6:11). Observe the many examples of it: Jesus Christ (Mt 11:28), Abraham (Ge 13; Ge 16:5-6), Moses (Nu 12:3), David (Zec 12:8; 2Sa 16:10,12; Ps 131:2), Paul (1Co 9:19). Note how lovely a spirit it is in itself, and how it secures us from a variety of evils; that peculiar promises are made to such (Mt 5:5; Isa 66:2); that such give evidence of their being under the influence of divine grace, and shall enjoy the divine blessing (Isa 57:15). See Henry, On. Meekness; Dunlop, Sermons, 2:434; Evans, Sermons on the Christian Temper, ser. 29; Tillotson, Sermon on I Pet. 2:21, and on Matthew v. 44; Logan, Sermons, vol. i, ser. 10; Jortin, Sermons, vol. iii, ser. 11.
