Exposition of Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”

I.    Blessed: Happiness or inward joy that comes from God

II.   The Gentle

       A.  Translations
            Meek (KJV, NKJV, NIV, ESV), Gentle (NASB, HCSB), Humble (NASB, NLT)

       B.  Other occurrences

• In Matthew – Matthew 11:29 and Matthew 21:5 (attitudes of Christ)
• Outside Matthew –
• James 1:21 (attitude toward God)
• Galatians 5:22-23 (attribute of Spirit filled Christians)
• Colossians 3:12 and Ephesians 4:1-3 (attitude for preserving church unity)
• Galatians 6:1 and II Timothy 2:24-26 (attitude in confronting sinners)
• I Peter 3:15 (attitude in witnessing to the lost)
• Titus 3:1-2 (attitude towards all people)

       C.  Conclusion:

• The Gentle live submitted to God and His Word. 
• The Gentle are kind and gracious in their words and actions towards believers and unbelievers alike, especially when confronting believers concerning sin and unbelievers concerning Christ. 
• This gentleness is not weakness, but a strong, unwavering commitment to God and His Word matched with humility and gentleness of thoughts, words and actions toward God and all people.

III.     They shall inherit the earth

• Paradoxical in nature: the gentle usually get run over on the earth
• Tied to the Old Testament pledge to Israel of the Promised Land, Deuteronomy 31:6-8
• Tied to the Old Testament principles, Psalm 37 (especially verse 11)
• Tied to the promise of an eternal inheritance for believers, Colossians 1:11-12
• Paradoxical in nature: the gentle usually get run over on the earth