Fostering Humility in Theological Communication with Analogies
Humility is a foundational Christian grace, characterized by a state of mind that is pleasing to God and conducive to spiritual tranquility [2]. It is considered essential for serving God [1]. The New Testament frequently highlights humility, with passages such as Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, and Philippians 4:11-13 emphasizing its importance [2].
Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility [1, 2]. His humility was evident in his self-declaration (Matthew 11:29), his incarnation (Philippians 2:7, Hebrews 2:16), his birth in humble circumstances (Luke 2:4-7), and his subjection to his parents (Luke 2:51) [3]. Further demonstrations of Christ's humility include his modest station in life (Matthew 13:55), his poverty (Luke 9:58), his willingness to partake in human infirmities (Hebrews 4:15), his submission to ordinances like baptism (Matthew 3:13-15), and his role as a servant (Matthew 20:28, Philippians 2:7) [3]. He associated with the despised, refused worldly honors, and even washed his disciples' feet (John 13:5) [3]. Paul, too, exemplified humility, describing himself as "humble among you" in 2 Corinthians 10:1 [4].
Believers are called to cultivate humility in their lives. Ephesians 4:2 exhorts Christians to walk "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love" [5]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, explains that this lowliness involves entertaining humble thoughts of oneself and positive thoughts of others, rejoicing in others' gifts, and being willing to receive instruction from fellow believers [7]. Humility also involves submission to God's will during trials and attributing all one's blessings to God's grace [7].
Humility is linked to several divine promises. God regards the humble (Psalm 138:6), hears their prayers (Psalm 9:12), and enjoys their presence (Isaiah 57:15) [1]. The humble are delivered, lifted up, and exalted by God (Job 22:29, James 4:10, Luke 14:11) [1]. They are considered greatest in Christ's kingdom (Matthew 18:4) and receive more grace (James 4:6) [1]. Proverbs 15:33 states that "humility is before honour" [1]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, notes that humility is particularly fitting when considering humanity's state before God's kindness and love intervened [6]. The apostle Peter also encourages younger believers to "submit yourselves unto the elder" and "be clothed with humility" (1 Peter 5:5, KJV), emphasizing respect and deference [8].
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, ”
- 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 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”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 10:1 (YLT) — And I, Paul, myself, do call upon you--through the meekness and gentleness of the Christ--who in presence, indeed <FI>am<Fi> humble among you, and being absent, have courage toward you,”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:2 (NASB) — with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,”
- 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).”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:2: With all lowliness and meekness,..... In the exercise of humility, which shows itself in believers, in entertaining and expressing the meanest thoughts of themselves, and the best of others; in not envying the gifts and graces of others, but rejoicing at them, and at every increase of them; in a willingness to receive instruction from the meanest saints; in submission to the will of God in all adverse dispensations of Providence; and in ascribing all they have, and are, to the grace of God: and so to behave, is to walk agreeably to their calling of God; and what the”
- 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 5:5: Having settled and explained the duty of the pastors or spiritual guides of the church, the apostle comes now to instruct the flock, I. How to behave themselves to their ministers and to one another. He calls them the younger, as being generally younger than their grave pastors, and to put them in mind of their inferiority, the term younger being used by our Saviour to signify an inferior, Luk 22:26. He exhorts those that are younger and inferior to submit themselves to the elder, to give due respect and reverence to their persons, and to yield to their admonition”