Topical Encyclopedia
The term "meanest" in a biblical context often refers to actions, attitudes, or characteristics that are considered base, ignoble, or lacking in kindness and generosity. While the specific word "meanest" may not appear frequently in the Bible, the concept is addressed through various teachings and narratives that highlight the importance of love, kindness, and humility.
Biblical References and Themes1.
Selfishness and Greed: The Bible frequently warns against selfishness and greed, which are often associated with mean behavior. In
Luke 12:15, Jesus cautions, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." This teaching underscores the spiritual danger of prioritizing material wealth over compassion and generosity.
2.
Lack of Compassion: The parable of the Good Samaritan (
Luke 10:25-37) illustrates the contrast between mean-spirited neglect and compassionate action. The priest and the Levite, who pass by the injured man without offering help, exemplify a lack of compassion, while the Samaritan's kindness is celebrated as true neighborly love.
3.
Pride and Arrogance: Pride is often linked to mean behavior in the Bible.
Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the destructive nature of arrogance, which can lead to treating others with disdain and disrespect.
4.
Judgment and Condemnation: Jesus teaches against a judgmental and condemning spirit in
Matthew 7:1-2: "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you." This passage encourages believers to avoid harsh judgments and to practice mercy and understanding instead.
5.
The Call to Kindness and Humility: The Bible consistently calls believers to exhibit kindness and humility, counteracting mean behavior.
Ephesians 4:32 instructs, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This verse emphasizes the importance of emulating Christ's love and forgiveness in interpersonal relationships.
6.
The Example of Christ: Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of selflessness and love, opposing any form of meanness.
Philippians 2:3-4 encourages believers to adopt Christ's mindset: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Practical ApplicationBelievers are called to reflect on their own attitudes and actions, ensuring they align with biblical teachings of love, humility, and kindness. The Bible encourages a transformation of the heart, moving away from mean-spiritedness and towards a life characterized by the fruits of the Spirit, as outlined in
Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
By embracing these virtues, Christians can effectively counteract mean behavior and embody the love of Christ in their daily lives, serving as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Library
Biographical Preface.
... its Divine Head, that not one of its members can suffer but the whole body
feels"nay, the great Head himself feels in the remotest andmeanest member of his...
Of the Mortification of the Affections of the Will...
... 5. In this latter regard, we for God show Humility towards men, preferring others
before ourselves, contenting ourselves with themeanest things in diet...
Who Can Tell?
... He can accomplish the greatest deeds by themeanest instrumentality.... With themeanest
instrument would God slay his thousands and overcome his myriads....
The Forged Sermon
... themselves for this ponderous parade of functional ineptitude by relapsing into
interchanges of spleen as frankly human as those of themeanest of their...
On the Road to Jerusalem
... "So, my Mars of the gray temples, thoumeanest in all faith to deliver up this lady
and her treasure to Julian?". "By those same gray temples, I do!...
On Mutual Subjection {1} --(First Printed in 1744)
... They depend for every necessary of life upon themeanest of their people; besides,
obedience and subjection were never enjoined by God to humour the passions...
Sanctified Commonplaces
... He took the verymeanest vessel of the whole household, and He consecrated and
sanctified it to His Divine use. Look at the water"that is common enough....
The Dispensation of the Spirit.
... instruments and obeying a holy will, became transfigured; so that, in his language,
the body becomes a temple of the Holy Ghost, and themeanest faculties, the...
On Sleeping in Church
... evil through all degrees and both sexes; for, since sleeping, talking, and laughing
are qualities sufficient to furnish out a critic, themeanest and most...
"That which we have Seen and Heard, Declare we unto You, that Ye...
... The lowest andmeanest amongst you hath this high dignity in your offer, to be fellow
citizens with the saints, with the eminent pillars of the church,"the...
Thesaurus
Meanest (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Meanest (4 Occurrences). Genesis 33:8 And he
said, What
meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And
...Meaneth (9 Occurrences)
Droves (17 Occurrences)
... find him. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Genesis 33:8 And he said, What
meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said...
Bondage (55 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Obligation; tie of duty. 3. (a.) Villenage; tenure of land on condition
of doing themeanest services for the owner. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Camp (222 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 33:8 And he said, Whatmeanest thou by all
this company which I met? And he said, To find favor in the sight of my lord....
Caesar's (10 Occurrences)
... The domus or familia Caesaris (represented by the Greek oikia Kaisaros) included
the whole of the imperial household, themeanest slaves as well as the most...
Drove (89 Occurrences)
... and drove. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Genesis 33:8 And he said, What
meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said...
Sleepest (5 Occurrences)
... with thee. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and
said unto him, Whatmeanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call...
Ship-master (2 Occurrences)
... stood afar off, (WBS). Jonah 1:6 So the ship-master came to him, and said
to him, Whatmeanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy...
Favour (171 Occurrences)
... (DBY JPS). Genesis 33:8 And he said, Whatmeanest thou by all the drove which I
met? And he said, To find favour in the eyes of my lord. (DBY JPS)....
Resources
Bible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
