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Cultivating Humility in Preaching with Personal Examples

Cultivating humility in preaching involves both the preacher's personal disposition and the manner in which the message is delivered. Humility is a prominent Christian grace, described as a state of mind pleasing to God that brings tranquility and patience in trials [3]. Christ himself is the ultimate example of humility, demonstrated through his incarnation, birth, subjection to parents, poverty, and willingness to serve others, even washing his disciples' feet [2, 3]. Paul appeals to the Corinthians "by the humility and gentleness of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:1 LEB) [9].

For preachers, humility is essential for effective ministry. Ministers are called to be examples of sincerity and meekness [4, 5]. This includes instructing those who oppose them with meekness (2 Timothy 2:24-25) and urging their congregations to show meekness to all people (Titus 3:1-2) [5]. The apostle Paul's own conduct, including his teaching, behavior, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, served as an example for believers (2 Timothy 3:10 BBE) [10]. Similarly, Timothy was exhorted to be an example to believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12 BSB) [7].

Preachers should approach their task with diligence, seeking God, obeying Him, and striving for perfection, while also cultivating Christian graces [6]. When delivering the message, a minister should "divide rightly the word of truth, and give to all such portions as are suited to their capacities and states," much like Christ broke the loaves to feed the multitude [13]. This involves a sincere presentation of the gospel, as opposed to preaching with "fleshly wisdom" (2 Corinthians 1:12) [4].

Humility is also linked to honor and wisdom. "Before honor is humility" (Proverbs 15:33) [8]. This proverb suggests that humility leads to honor [11]. Conversely, haughtiness can lead to failure because it prevents learning from criticism, whereas humility allows one to learn from others, leading to success and honor [12]. This perspective underscores the importance of a preacher's openness to growth and correction. The humble are regarded, heard, and delivered by God, and they receive more grace [1].

Sources

  1. 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, ”
  2. 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”
  3. 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”
  4. 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; ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  7. I Timothy “I Timothy 4:12 (BSB) — Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
  8. Proverbs “The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. -- Proverbs 15:33”
  9. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 10:1 (LEB) — Now I, Paul, appeal to you myself by the humility and gentleness of Christ, who ⌞when I am present in person⌟ am humble among you, but when I am absent am bold toward you—”
  10. II Timothy “II Timothy 3:10 (BBE) — But you took as your example my teaching, behaviour, purpose, and faith; my long waiting, my love, my quiet undergoing of trouble;”
  11. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 15:33: and before honor there is humility Humility causes honor to come.”
  12. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 18:12: 18:12 Haughtiness cultivates pride. It leads to failure because it does not allow for change in the face of criticism. Humility learns from others and leads to the honor of success.”
  13. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 9:16: Then he took the five loaves - A minister of the Gospel, who is employed to feed souls, should imitate this conduct of Christ: 1. He ought to exhort the people to hear with sedate and humble reverence. 2. He should first take the bread of life himself, that he may be strengthened to feed others. 3. He ought frequently to lift his soul to God, in order to draw down the Divine blessing on himself and his hearers. 4. He should break the loaves - divide rightly the word of truth, and give to all such portions as are suited to their capacities and states. 5. What he cannot”
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