Approaching Non-Biblical Examples with Humility and Scripture
Humility, a prominent Christian grace, is a state of mind that is pleasing to God [3]. It is characterized by a modest view of oneself, recognizing one's dependence on God and acknowledging one's own limitations and sinfulness [3, 9]. The Bible presents humility as essential for serving God, as seen in Micah 6:8, and highlights Christ as the ultimate example of this virtue [1, 3].
The humility of Christ is a central theme in the New Testament. Jesus himself declared, "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) [1, 2]. His humility was demonstrated throughout his earthly life, beginning with his birth in humble circumstances (Luke 2:4-7) and his subjection to his parents (Luke 2:51) [2]. He took on human nature, emptying himself of divine prerogatives (Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:16), and lived a life of poverty (Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9) [2]. Christ's humility was also evident in his willingness to associate with those who were despised (Matthew 9:10-11; Luke 15:1-2), his refusal of worldly honors (John 5:41; 6:15), and his act of washing his disciples' feet (John 13:5) [2]. The apostle Paul points to Christ's example in Philippians 2:5-8, urging believers to have the same mind as Christ, who, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" [1, 3]. This self-abasement culminated in his obedience to death on a cross [2].
Humility is closely linked with self-denial, another virtue exemplified by Christ [4]. Jesus taught that following him requires taking up one's cross daily and denying oneself (Luke 9:23-24) [4]. This involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:12), controlling one's appetites (Proverbs 23:2), and abstaining from fleshly desires (1 Peter 2:11) [4]. Ministers, in particular, are called to exercise self-denial (2 Corinthians 6:4-5) [4].
Sincerity is also presented as a characteristic of Christ and a virtue for believers [5]. Christ was an example of sincerity (1 Peter 2:22), and ministers are encouraged to follow his example (Titus 2:7) [5]. Sincerity should characterize various aspects of Christian life, including love for God (2 Corinthians 8:8, 24), love for Christ (Ephesians 6:24), service to God (Joshua 24:14; John 4:23-24), faith (1 Timothy 1:5), and love for one another (Romans 12:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:18) [5]. The preaching of the gospel should also be done with sincerity (2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5) [5]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Romans 4:23, notes that the scriptures were not written solely for historical commendation but to provide a pattern for believers [12].
The Bible promises significant blessings to the humble. God regards those who are humble (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2), hears their prayers (Psalm 9:12; Isaiah 10:17), and enjoys their presence (Isaiah 57:15) [1]. The humble are delivered by God (Job 22:29), lifted up (James 4:10), and exalted (Luke 14:11; 18:14) [1]. They are considered greatest in Christ's kingdom (Matthew 18:4; 20:26-28) and receive more grace (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6) [1]. Humility is also associated with honor (Proverbs 15:33; 18:12; 29:23) [1]. Easton's Bible Dictionary describes humility as preserving the soul in tranquility (Psalm 69:32-33) and making believers patient under trials (Job 1:22) [3]. It is a "great paradox in Christian experience" that humility leads to honor [3].
The concept of humility is further illuminated by its connection to Christ's role as High Priest. The author of Hebrews emphasizes that Christ, though great, is not above caring for believers. He sympathizes with them in every temptation, having been "in all points one with us as to manhood, sin only excepted" (Hebrews 4:15) [7]. His exaltation to the highest heavens did not change his nature or affection towards humanity [7]. This understanding encourages believers to "hold fast our confession" (Hebrews 4:14) [7].
Calvin, in his commentary on Philippians, highlights the importance of the gospel's dignity and the affection that motivates its proclamation [8]. He also notes the importance of modesty and courage in the face of adversity, drawing an example from a woman who demonstrated a "more than masculine mind in woman's breast" [10]. Calvin further observes the building of the Church "out of ruins" and the gathering of it "out of broken fragments," which he sees as an instance of God's grace that should inspire firm hope [14].
The New Testament frequently uses parables, which are comparisons or similitudes, to illustrate spiritual truths [6]. Jesus's use of parables, such as the mustard seed, demonstrates his carefulness to make himself understood and to render necessary truths accessible to all capacities (Mark 4:30) [11]. This approach reflects a humble desire to instruct effectively rather than to impress with eloquence [11].
Christian hospitality, as described in 1 Peter 4:9, is another expression of humility and love. It involves entertaining those in need, especially those exiled for their faith, and doing so "without grudging" or murmuring [13]. This means offering hospitality with sincerity and cordiality, not secretly speaking against the person or upbraiding them for the favor conferred [13]. This aligns with the broader call for sincerity in love (Romans 12:9) [5].
Humility is fitting for believers, especially when considering their state before God's kindness and love intervened (Titus 3:3) [9]. This perspective is echoed in passages like Ephesians 2:1-4, Colossians 3:7, and 1 Peter 4:3, which describe humanity's former condition of sin and God's gracious redemption [9].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:15: For--the motive to "holding our profession" (Heb 4:14), namely the sympathy and help we may expect from our High Priest. Though "great" (Heb 4:14), He is not above caring for us; nay, as being in all points one with us as to manhood, sin only excepted, He sympathizes with us in every temptation. Though exalted to the highest heavens, He has changed His place, not His nature and office in relation to us, His condition, but not His affection. Compare Mat 26:38, "watch with me": showing His desire in the days of His flesh for the sympathy of those whom H”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 23.4: entr’ eux, il fait derechef mention de la charge qu’il auoit receuë de Dieu ;” — “That he may have more authority among them, he again makes mention of the charge which he had received from God.” and in magnificent terms extols the dignity of the gospel. In the Second Chapter he opens up more distinctly than he had done the reason which had induced him to write — that he might provide against the danger which he saw to be impending over them, while he touches, in passing, on the affection which he cherishes towards”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:3: 3:3 Humility (3:2) is fitting, considering our state when God’s kindness and love came to us (3:4; see Eph 2:1-4; 5:8; Col 3:7; 1 Pet 4:3).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 3.3: rendered evident by convincing proofs, that she carried a more than masculine mind in woman’s breast. And I wish that at length even men may be put to shame, and that useful emulation may stimulate them to imitate her example. For she conducted herself with such peculiar modesty, that scarcely any one would have supposed her capable of thus enduring the most violent attacks, and, at the same time, of courageously repelling them. Besides, how keenly God exercised her with internal conflicts but few persons are witnesses, of whom, ho”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 4:30: Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? - How amiable is this carefulness of Jesus! How instructive to the preachers of his word! He is not solicitous to seek fine turns of eloquence to charm the minds of his auditors, nor to draw such descriptions and comparisons as may surprise them: but studies only to make himself understood; to instruct to advantage; to give true ideas of faith and holiness; and to find out such expressions as may render necessary truths easy and intelligible to the meanest capacities. The very wisdom of God seems to be at a loss to find out”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 4:23: In the close of the chapter, he applies all to us; and, having abundantly proved that Abraham was justified by faith, he here concludes that his justification was to be the pattern or sampler of ours: It was not written for his sake alone. It was not intended only for an historical commendation of Abraham, or a relation of something peculiar to him (as some antipaedobaptists will needs understand that circumcision was a seal of the righteousness of the faith, Rom 4:11, only to Abraham himself, and no other); no, the scripture did not intend hereby to describe some”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 4:9: (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:2.) Not the spurious hospitality which passes current in the world, but the entertaining of those needing it, especially those exiled for the faith, as the representatives of Christ, and all hospitality to whomsoever exercised from genuine Christian love. without grudging--Greek, "murmuring." "He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity," that is open-hearted sincerity; with cordiality. Not secretly speaking against the person whom we entertain, or upbraiding him with the favor we have conferred in him.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 3.7: its numbers, as if its dignity consisted in its multitude. If sometimes, in various places, Religion is less flourishing than could be wished, if the body of the pious is scattered, and the state of a well-regulated Church has gone to decay, not only do our minds sink, but entirely melt within us. On the contrary, while we see in this history of Moses, the building of the Church out of ruins, and the gathering of it out of broken fragments, and out of desolation itself, such an instance of the grace of God ought to raise us to firm”