From an Anglican perspective, we would respond quite differently to the idea that “the meek are to be envied - that wimpy guy who lets people walk over him.” The Beatitudes use the Greek word makarios, often translated “blessed,” but it carries a deeper sense than happiness or good fortune. It points to a state of grace - a life aligned with God’s reign.
In the Christian tradition, meekness (praÿs) is not weakness or passivity. It is the virtue we see in Christ Himself - strength that is disciplined, humble, and surrendered to the Father’s will. The meek person is not crushed or powerless; rather, they are one who chooses gentleness over domination, peace over violence, trust over self-assertion.
Meekness reflects:
a heart shaped by prayer and humility before God
a refusal to repay injury with injury
solidarity with the vulnerable and oppressed
confidence that justice ultimately belongs to God
This aligns with the Anglican (Episcopalian) emphasis on spiritual formation, holiness of life, and the imitation of Christ. In the Beatitudes, Jesus is not praising timidity, nor encouraging people to be trampled on. He is revealing the character of those who belong to the Kingdom already breaking into the world.
To say that the meek are blessed is to affirm that:
Those who entrust themselves to God rather than grasping for power already share in the life of the Kingdom, and will inherit the earth
Certainly! In my wording I wasn't intending to indicate that the meek are *actually* wimpy, but rather that this is how their control, restraint, and refusal to be incited is often perceived by others living in the Flesh.
You are very gracious (maybe I'm just a bit nerdy too!). There is so much to carefully unpack and discern when reading Scripture and I respect your nuanced wisdom. Happy New Year to you and yours. V
I think that maybe the word "meek" has taken on a meaning in modern English (i.e. "wimpy", like a little mouse shivering in a corner) which it did not have in English before.
Agreed. We often see ‘doormat’ when ‘meek’ is read.
Also, English is a living language and little changes like this often result in misunderstandings. Some words also go awry when English Bibles are a translation from the Greek.
True, meekness is really about self-disciplined restraint, the ability to conform ones passions to reason and prudence. A meak person's anger for example is expressed appropriately & intelligently.
Beautiful! I spent all of 2024 focussing on the Beatitudes at my sub stack. I get so excited whenever I see someone writing on that passage.
Once I started seeing Jesus in the Beatitudes my mindset changed. To be makarios, to be happy, to be blessed, is to be like God, to be godly. Here Jesus tells us that Jesus's life isn't accidental. Jesus purposefully chose his life because it was in line with his character. Jesus is poor in spirit. Jesus does mourn. Jesus is meek. Jesus hungers and thirsts for righteousness. Jesus is pure in heart. Jesus is a peacemaker. Jesus is persecuted.
Yes, thank you for pointing out something that should have been obvious to me, but wasn’t because there again, I was only trying to see the Beatitudes in myself first. Seeing Jesus in them first will help me to apply them to my life so much better.
This was an excellent article. Thank you! I really appreciate the reframing through the explanation. Although I try to avoid “in the original Greek” trope because too often its used to cherry pick specific interpretations, in this case it is a powerful lesson in the counter-cultural aspect of our faith. Too often we forget that as followers of Christ, we are to humble ourselves and become the servant.
“Happy” is actually a poor translation of μακαριος - happy refers to an emotion whereas μακαριος (as you pointed out) to a fortunate/enviable set of circumstances. In older iterations of English, “Happy” meant much the same thing as μακαριος, but the meaning shifted over time to only refer to the emotion. And Jesus is not saying we’ll *feel happy* when we’re persecuted!
I think it’s very important we scratch “happy” from the list of possible translations of μακαριος!
Love is the most powerful, irresistible Person in the cosmos. Love is the embodiment of God and His/Their “upside-down” Life and Kingdom flowing through us! The Beatitudes are the expression of His character and telos we are being transformed into.
This is a strong and needed reframing…because it confronts the way our culture has quietly discipled us into confusing “blessed” with “comfortable.”
I really appreciate the way you trace makarios back to its social location…language reserved for the “untouchable”…and then show Jesus placing it on the heads of people the world overlooks or pities. That is exactly the kind of kingdom reversal that doesn’t just inspire…it exposes. It forces the question: what do I envy…really? The powerful? The secure? The admired? Or the ones who are so anchored in God they can stay merciful, pure, and peace-making even when it costs them?
And I love that you don’t romanticize suffering. The point isn’t “pain is good.” The point is that Jesus names a kind of life as enviable because it’s rooted in a different economy…deep security in the Father…a heart that’s not for sale…an interior freedom the world can’t manufacture.
This landed for me as a gentle warning too…not in a scolding way, but in a clarifying way: if my definition of blessing can’t include meekness, mercy, and peacemaking…then I’m probably still using the world’s measuring stick while saying Jesus’ name.
Thank you for writing this with clarity…and for inviting the reader into that honest, uncomfortable, life-giving question: who do I envy…and why?
I have a Masters in Mythology and I just love how you developed the application of this! In their culture, this flips an entire world iew on its head...such a fascinating God!
This is the best and most meaty message I’ve read in quite some time. Thank you! I just subscribed. I’m new to Substack and still trying to figure things out but I was just so blessed by your message andI’ll keep trying to figure it out.
I recently memorized the beatitudes and read Scott McKnights commentary on them. He seems to suggest that a good understanding of blessed is “Gods favor is upon.”
Gods favor is upon the meek
Therefore they will inherit the land
Gods favor is upon the pure in heart
Therefore they will see God
Gods favor is upon the persecuted
Therefore they will Inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Hopefully did Scott McKnights work justice. It truly a book worth reading.
Truly blessed are those whom God has granted the status of children of the Kingdom of Heaven, even if in this world they are persecuted and even killed, just as the Lord and His apostles were.
Thank you for a beautiful essay! The broader nuances of makarios make good sense of Jesus' message.
After years of familiarity with this sermon of Jesus, I finally noticed how profoundly his message contrasts with modern "gospel" presentations. Instead of confronting people with the depravity of their failings, he lifts people up and invites them into the Kingdom of God.
Thank you. I offer an alternative:
From an Anglican perspective, we would respond quite differently to the idea that “the meek are to be envied - that wimpy guy who lets people walk over him.” The Beatitudes use the Greek word makarios, often translated “blessed,” but it carries a deeper sense than happiness or good fortune. It points to a state of grace - a life aligned with God’s reign.
In the Christian tradition, meekness (praÿs) is not weakness or passivity. It is the virtue we see in Christ Himself - strength that is disciplined, humble, and surrendered to the Father’s will. The meek person is not crushed or powerless; rather, they are one who chooses gentleness over domination, peace over violence, trust over self-assertion.
Meekness reflects:
a heart shaped by prayer and humility before God
a refusal to repay injury with injury
solidarity with the vulnerable and oppressed
confidence that justice ultimately belongs to God
This aligns with the Anglican (Episcopalian) emphasis on spiritual formation, holiness of life, and the imitation of Christ. In the Beatitudes, Jesus is not praising timidity, nor encouraging people to be trampled on. He is revealing the character of those who belong to the Kingdom already breaking into the world.
To say that the meek are blessed is to affirm that:
Those who entrust themselves to God rather than grasping for power already share in the life of the Kingdom, and will inherit the earth
not by force, but by love.
Certainly! In my wording I wasn't intending to indicate that the meek are *actually* wimpy, but rather that this is how their control, restraint, and refusal to be incited is often perceived by others living in the Flesh.
Thanks for you contributing words!
You are very gracious (maybe I'm just a bit nerdy too!). There is so much to carefully unpack and discern when reading Scripture and I respect your nuanced wisdom. Happy New Year to you and yours. V
👍🏻
This response is meekness defined.
I didn't get that out of it. And I read it pretty hard. Nevertheless, the point Vicki made is true.
I think that maybe the word "meek" has taken on a meaning in modern English (i.e. "wimpy", like a little mouse shivering in a corner) which it did not have in English before.
Agreed. We often see ‘doormat’ when ‘meek’ is read.
Also, English is a living language and little changes like this often result in misunderstandings. Some words also go awry when English Bibles are a translation from the Greek.
True, meekness is really about self-disciplined restraint, the ability to conform ones passions to reason and prudence. A meak person's anger for example is expressed appropriately & intelligently.
Turning the other cheek.
🙏🏻
Yes, meekness and humility mean, to me, honesty about oneself but not brutally honest nor brutally admonishing another.
Beautiful! I spent all of 2024 focussing on the Beatitudes at my sub stack. I get so excited whenever I see someone writing on that passage.
Once I started seeing Jesus in the Beatitudes my mindset changed. To be makarios, to be happy, to be blessed, is to be like God, to be godly. Here Jesus tells us that Jesus's life isn't accidental. Jesus purposefully chose his life because it was in line with his character. Jesus is poor in spirit. Jesus does mourn. Jesus is meek. Jesus hungers and thirsts for righteousness. Jesus is pure in heart. Jesus is a peacemaker. Jesus is persecuted.
Yes, thank you for pointing out something that should have been obvious to me, but wasn’t because there again, I was only trying to see the Beatitudes in myself first. Seeing Jesus in them first will help me to apply them to my life so much better.
This was an excellent article. Thank you! I really appreciate the reframing through the explanation. Although I try to avoid “in the original Greek” trope because too often its used to cherry pick specific interpretations, in this case it is a powerful lesson in the counter-cultural aspect of our faith. Too often we forget that as followers of Christ, we are to humble ourselves and become the servant.
Understanding words can change our way of reaing a lot of things. I know it has for me.
Love this! Greek + biblical encouragement = 😍😍😍
“Happy” is actually a poor translation of μακαριος - happy refers to an emotion whereas μακαριος (as you pointed out) to a fortunate/enviable set of circumstances. In older iterations of English, “Happy” meant much the same thing as μακαριος, but the meaning shifted over time to only refer to the emotion. And Jesus is not saying we’ll *feel happy* when we’re persecuted!
I think it’s very important we scratch “happy” from the list of possible translations of μακαριος!
Love is the most powerful, irresistible Person in the cosmos. Love is the embodiment of God and His/Their “upside-down” Life and Kingdom flowing through us! The Beatitudes are the expression of His character and telos we are being transformed into.
Wow, Valerie, it looks like you're Spirit-led. Now, you're speaking my language. Keep up the LIGHT work. JT
I enjoy your deep-dive into scriptures.
I appreciate you saying so!
This is a strong and needed reframing…because it confronts the way our culture has quietly discipled us into confusing “blessed” with “comfortable.”
I really appreciate the way you trace makarios back to its social location…language reserved for the “untouchable”…and then show Jesus placing it on the heads of people the world overlooks or pities. That is exactly the kind of kingdom reversal that doesn’t just inspire…it exposes. It forces the question: what do I envy…really? The powerful? The secure? The admired? Or the ones who are so anchored in God they can stay merciful, pure, and peace-making even when it costs them?
And I love that you don’t romanticize suffering. The point isn’t “pain is good.” The point is that Jesus names a kind of life as enviable because it’s rooted in a different economy…deep security in the Father…a heart that’s not for sale…an interior freedom the world can’t manufacture.
This landed for me as a gentle warning too…not in a scolding way, but in a clarifying way: if my definition of blessing can’t include meekness, mercy, and peacemaking…then I’m probably still using the world’s measuring stick while saying Jesus’ name.
Thank you for writing this with clarity…and for inviting the reader into that honest, uncomfortable, life-giving question: who do I envy…and why?
Thank you for the sincere engagement with what I wrote out, Kevin! Really appreciate it! And yes, resonate with exactly your points of emphasis.
very good
I have a Masters in Mythology and I just love how you developed the application of this! In their culture, this flips an entire world iew on its head...such a fascinating God!
This is the best and most meaty message I’ve read in quite some time. Thank you! I just subscribed. I’m new to Substack and still trying to figure things out but I was just so blessed by your message andI’ll keep trying to figure it out.
A lot of food for thought !
Our family is going through some things and this was a beautiful read for me today. Shabbat Shalom!
I recently memorized the beatitudes and read Scott McKnights commentary on them. He seems to suggest that a good understanding of blessed is “Gods favor is upon.”
Gods favor is upon the meek
Therefore they will inherit the land
Gods favor is upon the pure in heart
Therefore they will see God
Gods favor is upon the persecuted
Therefore they will Inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Hopefully did Scott McKnights work justice. It truly a book worth reading.
Truly blessed are those whom God has granted the status of children of the Kingdom of Heaven, even if in this world they are persecuted and even killed, just as the Lord and His apostles were.
Thank you for a beautiful essay! The broader nuances of makarios make good sense of Jesus' message.
After years of familiarity with this sermon of Jesus, I finally noticed how profoundly his message contrasts with modern "gospel" presentations. Instead of confronting people with the depravity of their failings, he lifts people up and invites them into the Kingdom of God.