Definition of Divine Condescension in Christian Theology
Divine condescension, though not a term explicitly found in Scripture, describes God's voluntary descent from his exalted state to interact with humanity [6]. This concept is central to understanding God's relationship with creation and his redemptive plan. It is often understood as an aspect of God's gentleness or humility, particularly in his dealings with humankind [6].
The idea of divine condescension is closely related to God's providence, which signifies his active preservation and governance of all things through secondary causes [5]. This includes his oversight of the natural world, animal creation, and the affairs of both nations and individuals [5]. God's condescension is evident in his various "dispensations," or schemes, through which he carries out his purposes for humanity [1]. These dispensations, such as the Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian, represent stages in God's unfolding plan of grace [1].
One of the most profound examples of divine condescension is the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul highlights Christ's example of humility, noting that he, "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" (Philippians 2:6-7) [2]. This act of self-abasement, where the divine takes on human form, is the ultimate expression of God's willingness to lower himself for the sake of humanity.
The concept of humility itself is considered a prominent Christian grace, pleasing to God and conducive to tranquility and patience under trials [2]. Christ's life serves as the supreme model for this humility [2]. For believers, remembering their own sins and recognizing that humility leads to honor are motivations for cultivating this virtue [2]. The greatest promises are made to the humble, as seen in passages like Psalm 147:6 and Isaiah 57:15 [2].
Divine condescension is also reflected in God's interaction with human conscience. Conscience, an inborn sense of right and wrong, is a faculty common to all people, though it has been perverted by the Fall [3]. Despite this fallen state, God still appeals to and works through human conscience. For instance, a "conscience void of offence" is something Christians are encouraged to cultivate (Acts 24:16) [3]. The apostle Paul notes that those who doubt are "condemned" by their own conscience if they act against it, illustrating the internal witness God has placed within humanity [8, 4].
God's condescension is further demonstrated in his patience and willingness to "repent of the evil" he has purposed when humanity turns from its wicked ways [10]. For example, in the book of Jonah, God's message of destruction to Nineveh was based on their sinfulness, but when they repented, God's dealing with them changed, consistent with his immutable character of responding to human actions and heart conditions [10]. This shows God's readiness to adapt his actions in response to human repentance, rather than rigidly adhering to a predetermined course of judgment.
The idea of God's condescension also touches upon the nature of worship. "Will-worship," or worship invented by human will rather than prescribed by God, is contrasted with true worship [7]. God is depicted as being so protective of proper worship that he has historically punished those who offered unauthorized forms of it, such as Nadab and Abihu offering strange incense (Leviticus 10:1-3) or Uzziah usurping the priestly office (2 Chronicles 26:16-21) [7]. This implies that God, in his condescension, has provided specific ways for humanity to approach him, and deviations from these are not taken lightly.
In the New Testament, the concept of divine condescension is implicitly present in discussions of God's grace and his work in quickening those who were spiritually dead [11]. Ephesians 2:1-22 speaks of God's love and grace in bringing believers, who were once "dead" in their trespasses, to life through Christ [11]. This act of giving spiritual life to the undeserving is a profound demonstration of God's willingness to reach down to humanity in its most helpless state.
The practical outworking of divine condescension in the lives of believers is encouraged through admonitions to "mind not high things" and to live in harmony [9]. This means avoiding ambition, not seeking worldly distinctions, and not sacrificing conscience for status [9]. Instead, believers are called to associate with the humble, reflecting God's own character.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Dispensation — (Gr. oikonomia, "management," "economy"). (1.) The method or scheme according to which God carries out his purposes towards men is called a dispensation. There are usually reckoned three dispensations, the Patriarchal, the Mosaic or Jewish, and the Christian. (See [160]COVENANT, Administration of.) These were so many stages in God's unfolding of his purpose of grace toward men. The word is not found with this meaning in Scripture. (2.) A commission to preach the gospel (1 Cor. 9:17; Eph. 1:10; 3:2; Col. 1:25). Dispensations of Providence are providenti”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Conscience — That faculty of the mind, or inborn sense of right and wrong, by which we judge of the moral character of human conduct. It is common to all men. Like all our other faculties, it has been perverted by the Fall (John 16:2; Acts 26:9; Rom. 2:15). It is spoken of as "defiled" (Titus 1:15), and "seared" (1 Tim. 4:2). A "conscience void of offence" is to be sought and cultivated (Acts 24:16; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:12; 1 Tim. 1:5, 19; 1 Pet. 3:21).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Damnation — In Rom. 13:2, means "condemnation," which comes on those who withstand God's ordinance of magistracy. This sentence of condemnation comes not from the magistrate, but from God, whose authority is thus resisted. In 1 Cor. 11:29 (R.V., "judgment") this word means condemnation, in the sense of exposure to severe temporal judgements from God, as the following verse explains. In Rom. 14:23 the word "damned" means "condemned" by one's own conscience, as well as by the Word of God. The apostle shows here that many things which are lawful are not expedient; and t”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 18:35: thy gentleness--as applied to God--condescension--or that which He gives, in the sense of humility (compare Pro 22:4).”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 2:23: have--Greek, "are having"; implying the permanent characteristic which these ordinances are supposed to have. show of wisdom--rather, "a reputation of wisdom" [ALFORD]. will-worship--arbitrarily invented worship: would-be worship, devised by man's own will, not God's. So jealous is God of human will-worship, that He struck Nadab and Abihu dead for burning strange incense (Lev 10:1-3). So Uzziah was stricken with leprosy for usurping the office of priest (Ch2 26:16-21). Compare the will-worship of Saul (Sa1 13:8-14) for which he was doomed to lo”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 14:23: And--rather, "But" he that doubteth is damned--On the word "damnation," see on Rom 13:2. if he eat, because he eateth not of faith--On the meaning of "faith" here, see on Rom 14:22. for whatsoever is not of faith is sin--a maxim of unspeakable importance in the Christian life. Note, (1) Some points in Christianity are unessential to Christian fellowship; so that though one may be in error upon them, he is not on that account to be excluded either from the communion of the Church or from the full confidence of those who have more light. This dis”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 12:16: Be of the same mind - Live in a state of continual harmony and concord, and pray for the same good for all which you desire for yourselves. Mind not high things - Be not ambitious; affect nothing above your station; do not court the rich nor the powerful; do not pass by the poor man to pay your court to the great man; do not affect titles or worldly distinctions; much less sacrifice your conscience for them. The attachment to high things and high men is the vice of little, shallow minds. However, it argues one important fact, that such persons are conscious that th”
- Jonah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jonah 3:10: God repented of the evil--When the message was sent to them, they were so ripe for judgment that a purpose of destruction to take effect in forty days was the only word God's righteous abhorrence of sin admitted of as to them. But when they repented, the position in which they stood towards God's righteousness was altered. So God's mode of dealing with them must alter accordingly, if God is not to be inconsistent with His own immutable character of dealing with men according to their works and state of heart, taking vengeance at last on the hardened imp”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 2 (introduction): GOD'S LOVE AND GRACE IN QUICKENING US, ONCE DEAD, THROUGH CHRIST. HIS PURPOSE IN DOING SO: EXHORTATION BASED ON OUR PRIVILEGES AS BUILT TOGETHER, AN HOLY TEMPLE, IN CHRIST, THROUGH THE SPIRIT. (Eph. 2:1-22) And you--"You also," among those who have experienced His mighty power in enabling them to believe (Eph 1:19-23). hath he quickened--supplied from the Greek (Eph 2:5). dead--spiritually. (Col 2:13). A living corpse: without the gracious presence of God's Spirit in the soul, and so unable to think, will, or do aught that is holy. ”