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Examples of Humble and Wise Example Selection in Scripture

The selection of examples in Scripture, particularly concerning humility and wisdom, is a topic with varied interpretations across Christian traditions. While there is broad agreement on the importance of these virtues, the specific examples highlighted and the theological implications drawn from them can differ.

One perspective emphasizes Christ as the ultimate example of both humility and wisdom. Jesus explicitly declared his meekness and lowliness of heart (Matthew 11:29) and demonstrated humility through his incarnation, birth, subjection to parents, poverty, and willingness to serve others, even washing his disciples' feet (Philippians 2:5-8; John 13:5; Luke 2:4-7, 51; 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9) [2, 3, 5, 6]. His wisdom is seen in his prudent responses to challenges (Matthew 21:24-27; 22:15-21) and his understanding of God's ways (Hosea 14:9) [1]. This view, common across many traditions, sees Christ's life as the pattern for believers to emulate [3].

Another approach focuses on God's sovereign choice to use what the world considers foolish or weak to shame the wise and strong (1 Corinthians 1:27) [4, 7]. This perspective, articulated by figures like Adam Clarke, suggests that God intentionally selects "rude and illiterate" individuals to confound philosophers and those with secular power, thereby spreading the Gospel [9]. John Calvin similarly notes that God chooses "despised and humble people" to demonstrate judgment on human pride [8]. This highlights a divine pattern of overturning human expectations, where wisdom and strength are not prerequisites for God's work but can even be hindrances [8, 9]. The "marvellous work" of God can involve hiding the wisdom of the proud (Isaiah 29:14) [10].

Some traditions also consider the role of human choice and the development of these virtues. For instance, John of Damascus, representing an Eastern Orthodox view, suggests that God might allow individuals to fall into sin to humble them and bring them to a perception of their own weakness, thereby correcting pride [11]. This indicates a divine pedagogy that uses difficult experiences to cultivate humility. Maimonides, in a Jewish rabbinic tradition, emphasizes that wise elders or men of wisdom are chosen to offer rebuke and guide communities toward repentance and good deeds, underscoring the practical application of wisdom in leadership [12].

Despite these differing emphases, there is common ground. Humility is universally recognized as a prominent Christian grace, pleasing to God, preserving tranquility, and leading to honor (Proverbs 16:18; 1 Peter 3:4; 5:5) [2, 3]. Wisdom is intimately connected with prudence and understanding, enabling individuals to foresee and avoid evil and to understand God's ways (Proverbs 8:12; 22:3; Hosea 14:9) [1]. The divergence often stems from differing hermeneutical commitments regarding the interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency in the cultivation and manifestation of these virtues.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
  2. 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, ”
  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. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 1:27 (BBE) — But God made selection of the foolish things of this world so that he might put the wise to shame; and the feeble things that he might put to shame the strong;”
  5. 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”
  6. 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”
  7. 1 Corinthians “1 Corinthians 1:27 (NASB) — but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:27: 1:27-29 God chose despised and humble people in order to demonstrate his judgment on human pride (cp. Rom 3:27; 4:2; 2 Cor 4:7-11; 12:8-10; Eph 2:9).”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 1:27: But God hath chosen the foolish things - God has chosen by means of men who are esteemed rude and illiterate to confound the greatest of the Greek philosophers, and overturn their systems; and, by means of men weak, without secular power or authority, to confound the scribes and Pharisees, and in spite of the exertions of the Jewish sanhedrin, to spread the doctrine of Christ crucified all over the land of Judea, and by such instruments as these to convert thousands of souls to the faith of the Gospel, who are ready to lay down their lives for the truth. The ”
  10. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 29:14: (Hab 1:5; Act 13:41). The "marvellous work" is one of unparalleled vengeance on the hypocrites: compare "strange work," Isa 28:21. The judgment, too, will visit the wise in that respect in which they most pride themselves; their wisdom shall be hid, that is, shall no longer appear, so as to help the nation in its distress (compare Co1 1:19).”
  11. CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 44: blessings, as in the case of the martyrs. Another is allowed to fall at times into some act of baseness in order that another worse fault may be thus corrected, as for instance when God allows a man who takes pride in his virtue and righteousness to fall away into fornication in order that he may be brought through this fall into the perception of his own weakness and be humbled and approach and make confession to the Lord. Moreover, it is to be observed 1902 1902 Nemes., ch. 37. that the choice of what is to be done is i”
  12. Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Fasts 4:2: Afterwards, one of the wise elders [of the community] stands before them while they are sitting. If there is no wise elder, a man of wisdom should be chosen. If there is no man of wisdom, a man of stature should be chosen. He should speak words of rebuke to them, telling them: "Brethren, it is not sackcloth and fasting that will have an effect, but rather repentance and good deeds. This is evident from [the story of] Nineveh. It is not stated with regard to the people of Nineveh, 'And God saw their sackcloth and their fasting,' but rather”
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