Balancing Recognition of Christ's Divine Nature with Humility
Balancing Recognition of Christ's Divine Nature with Humility
The biblical account presents Jesus Christ as both fully divine and fully human, a paradox that has been a cornerstone of Christian theology. The New Testament writers emphasize Christ's humility, particularly in his incarnation and earthly ministry. Philippians 2:5-8 is a key passage, describing Christ's humility in taking on human form and submitting to death on the cross [7].
Christ's humility is exemplified in various aspects of his life, including his birth, subjection to his parents, poverty, and association with the despised [1]. His entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, as foretold in Zechariah 9:9, is another instance of his humility, as he refused to enter as a conquering king [1]. The biblical writers also highlight Christ's emotional and physical experiences, such as weeping, hungering, and thirsting, demonstrating his genuine humanity [4].
The apostle Paul encourages believers to emulate Christ's humility, citing it as a fundamental aspect of the Christian character [7]. According to John Gill, meekness and humility are fruits of the Spirit, characterized by having "mean thoughts of himself" and walking "humbly with God" [5]. This humility is not merely a human virtue but is rooted in the recognition of one's state before God and the acknowledgment of divine grace [6].
The Psalms also provide insight into the value of humility. Matthew Henry notes that David's humility was a hallmark of his relationship with God, as he walked "humbly with his God" despite facing criticism and temptation [9]. The psalmist's reflections on the human condition, as in Psalm 8, marvel at God's condescension in favoring humanity, particularly in the person of Jesus Christ [8].
The balancing of Christ's divine nature with his humility is a theological theme that underscores the complexity of his person. While affirming his divinity, the biblical writers emphasize his willingness to humble himself, taking on human form and experiencing human vulnerabilities. This balance is crucial for understanding the Christian doctrine of Christ and its implications for the life of believers.
The recognition of Christ's divine nature and his humility has been a consistent theme across various Christian traditions. The Nonconformist/Puritan and Baptist/Reformed traditions, as represented by Matthew Henry and John Gill, respectively, emphasize the importance of humility in the Christian life, citing Christ as the exemplary model [8, 5]. This emphasis on humility is not limited to these traditions but is a broader Christian theme, reflecting the biblical emphasis on the importance of humility in the life of faith [2, 3].
Sources
- 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: 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: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 5:22: Meekness,.... Humility and lowliness of mind, of which Christ is an eminent example and pattern; and which the Holy Spirit from him transcribes into the heart of a regenerate person; and lies in having mean thoughts of himself, in walking humbly with God, acknowledging every favour, being thankful for every blessing, and depending on his grace, and in behaving with modesty and humility among men. The last of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned is temperance, or "continence"; and designs both chastity and sobriety, and particularly moderation in eating and drinking”
- 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).”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you,.... The Arabic version renders it, "let that humility be perceived in you". The apostle proposes Christ as the great pattern and exemplar of humility; and instances in his assumption of human nature, and in his subjection to all that meanness, and death itself, even the death of the cross in it; and which he mentions with this view, to engage the saints to lowliness of mind, in imitation of him; to show forth the same temper and disposition of mind in their practice, which also was in Christ Jesus; or as the Syriac version, "think ye the”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 8:3: David here goes on to magnify the honour of God by recounting the honours he has put upon man, especially the man Christ Jesus. The condescensions of the divine grace call for our praises as much as the elevations of the divine glory. How God has condescended in favour to man the psalmist here observes with wonder and thankfulness, and recommends it to our thoughts. See here, I. What it is that leads him to admire the condescending favour of God to man; it is his consideration of the lustre and influence of the heavenly bodies, which are within the view of sense (P”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 131:1: Here are two things which will be comforts to us: - I. Consciousness of our integrity. This was David's rejoicing, that his heart could witness for him that he had walked humbly with his God, notwithstanding the censures he was under and the temptations he was in. 1. He aimed not at a high condition, nor was he desirous of making a figure in the world, but, if God had so ordered, could have been well content to spend all his days, as he did in the beginning of them, in the sheep-folds. His own brother, in a passion, charged him with pride (Sa1 17:28), but the ch”