Explanation of the Third Beatitude
This commandment states the following: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
The Beatitudes, proclaimed by Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, follow a certain order, sequentially indicating the qualities of the soul. According to the teaching of Jesus Christ, the person who is capable of repenting of his sins and recognizing his shortcomings, who sincerely wept and grieved over sin together with Christ and worthily endured the torments of suffering — such a person is most likely to learn meekness from his Divine Teacher. As we see, such properties of the human soul (indicated in the first two Beatitudes) as the ability to repent and sincere tears over sin contribute to the appearance of and are inseparably connected with such a quality of human character as meekness, of which the third Beatitude speaks.
The meek are those people who patiently, with humility, endure troubles, sorrows, and sufferings, without being offended by their offenders and without murmuring against God. Meek people are free from egoism, pride, arrogance, envy, boasting, and conceit. They do not strive to obtain for themselves a better position or a higher place in society, they do not seek power over other people, they do not thirst for fame and riches, because the best and highest place for them is not earthly illusory goods and imaginary pleasures, but to be with Christ, imitating Him.
The Apostle Paul said: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:19–20).
Jesus Christ said: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
This is also proven by the actions of Jesus Christ. When He encountered injustice, He always responded to evil with good. Jesus Christ Himself “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7) in order to serve people. There was no egoism, pride, or haughtiness in His actions; His entire life was subject to the will of the Heavenly Father. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself” (Matthew 16:24), — says Jesus Christ, calling people to rid themselves of their own pride, arrogance, and egoism, and to be humble and meek. According to Christ’s teaching, meekness is a necessary quality for the spiritual development of the personality, for it brings happiness, “rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). The Apostle of Christ, James, calls meekness wise:
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom… But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits” (James 3:13, 17).
Saint John Climacus said the following about meekness: “Meekness is an unchanging disposition of the mind that remains the same both in honor and in dishonor. Meekness consists in praying sincerely and without disturbance for one’s neighbor when he insults us. Meekness is a rock rising above the sea of irritation, against which all approaching waves break, yet it itself remains unshaken. Meekness is the foundation of patience, the door — or rather, the mother — of love, the beginning of spiritual discernment; for Scripture says: The Lord will teach the meek His ways (Psalm 25:9). It is the intercessor for the forgiveness of sins, boldness in prayer, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. “To whom shall I look,” says the Lord, “but to the meek and quiet one?” (Isaiah 66:2). “… In meek hearts the Lord rests, but a rebellious soul is the seat of the devil” (“The Ladder,” Step 24).
A family in which meekness and love prevail possesses true happiness. For meekness does not cause quarrels and discord, it calms agitation and offenses, spreading among all family members a feeling of satisfaction, tenderness, love, and humility. Such a family will be part of the Great Heavenly Family. The true secret of a pious life is manifested in heartfelt humility and the meekness of Christ. For the Lord “crowns the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4). Therefore, in His third Beatitude, Jesus Christ proclaims that the meek are blessed, that is, happy, “for they shall inherit the earth”. In another place in the Bible it is said: “The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psalm 37:11).
Thus, the third Beatitude speaks of the fact that the meek will become blessed, that is, happy, and will inherit the earth. As for what kind of earth is meant, theological literature offers several explanations.
A number of theological authors believe that in the third Beatitude the reference is to the spiritual earth. The meek “will receive as their possession the Heavenly dwelling, that is, the new (renewed) earth in the Kingdom of Heaven” (“The Law of God,” compiled by Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, 1987, p. 310). Supporters of this interpretation assert that the promised land will not be overshadowed by suffering and curse, as the Bible says: “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him” (Revelation 22:3).
Saint John Chrysostom did not agree with such an interpretation, stating that nowhere in the Bible is there mention of a spiritual earth. “Therefore,” concluded John Chrysostom, “one must assume that in the words of Jesus Christ a sensible reward is implied.”
In other explanations it is said that at the time of the Sermon on the Mount the earth was possessed by pagans and there were only a small number of people who were followers of Christ. However, it was precisely the followers of Christ who conquered the pagan world and were able to inherit the earth from it.
Bishop Michael, who offered another interpretation, believes that the words “inherit the earth” are a figurative expression, since they are already mentioned in the Old Testament: “the meek shall inherit the earth” (Psalm 37:11). These words were addressed to the Jews who inherited the promised land. Since the promise to inherit the land of Canaan was given to the Jewish people as a manifestation of God’s Will and Divine favor, the expression “inherit the earth” should be understood as receiving God’s Good Pleasure. However, all interpreters agree that the meek, through their humility and self-sacrifice, will become co-heirs with Christ and will receive the promised land where there will be no sin, suffering, or vice, for where Jesus Christ is, there will be eternal peace: “They shall neither hunger nor thirst, nor shall the heat nor sun strike them; for He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide them” (Isaiah 49:10).