Human Pride vs God's Sovereignty in Scripture

The biblical concept of human pride is closely tied to the idea of God's sovereignty. Scripture consistently portrays pride as a fundamental human failing that stands in opposition to God's authority ^[1]. In Proverbs, we find that "a man's pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor" (Proverbs 29:23) ^[4]. This theme is echoed in Sirach, which states that "pride is hateful before God and men" (Sirach 10:7) ^[2].

The biblical writers often link pride to a disregard for God's will and a tendency to exalt oneself above others. The Psalmist laments that "the proud have risen up against me" (Psalms 86:14) ^[6]. In the view of Matthew Henry, pride is a characteristic of wicked people who "magnify themselves above others" and "set up their wills in competition with and opposition to the will of God" (Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:21) ^[9].

In contrast, God's sovereignty is presented as the ultimate reality that underlies all existence. The book of Job poses the question, "Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?" (Job 8:3), emphasizing God's role as the upholder of justice ^[3]. The biblical writers often juxtapose human pride with God's sovereignty, highlighting the futility of human attempts to assert independence from God. According to Calvin, human pride is a form of "loftiness" that leads individuals to "profane" God's authority (Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 11.12) ^[10].

The tension between human pride and God's sovereignty is also evident in the prophetic literature. In Habakkuk, the prophet condemns the Chaldeans for their pride, stating that "he shall pass over... all bounds and restraints" (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Habakkuk 1:11) ^[7]. Similarly, in Ezekiel, the prince of Tyrus is rebuked for his pride, with Matthew Henry noting that his "heart was lifted up" and that he had a "great conceit of himself" (Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 28:1) ^[11].

The New Testament continues this theme, with Paul emphasizing that salvation is a result of God's sovereign power and decision to save his people, leaving "no room for human pride" (Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:31) ^[8]. In this context, human pride is seen as a fundamental obstacle to a proper understanding of God's sovereignty.

The biblical writers offer a nuanced understanding of the relationship between human pride and God's sovereignty. While human pride is seen as a rebellious and self-exalting force, God's sovereignty is presented as the ultimate source of justice, righteousness, and salvation. As Proverbs 18:12 states, "before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility" ^[5]. This contrast between pride and humility serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging God's sovereignty in all aspects of life.

The interplay between human pride and God's sovereignty has significant implications for Christian theology and practice. By recognizing the dangers of pride and the importance of humility, believers can cultivate a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and its role in their lives. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, pride is "hateful to God" and "defiles a man" (Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pride) ^[1]. In contrast, humility is seen as a key virtue that allows believers to acknowledge God's sovereignty and live in accordance with his will.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pride — Is sin -- Pr 21:4. Hateful to God -- Pr 6:16,17; 16:5. Hateful to Christ -- Pr 8:12,13. Often originates in Self-righteousness. -- Lu 18:11,12. Religious privileges. -- Zep 3:11. Unsanctified knowledge. -- 1Co 8:1. Inexperience. -- 1Ti 3:6. Possession of power. -- Le 26:19; Eze 30:6. Possession of wealth. -- 2Ki 20:13. Forbidden -- 1Sa 2:3; Ro 12:3,16. Defiles a man -- Mr 7:20,22. Hardens the mind -- Da 5:20. Saints give not away. -- Ps 131:1. Respect not, in others. -- Ps 40:4. Mourn over, in others. -- Jer 13:17. Hate, in others. -- Ps 101:5. A hindrance to”
Sirach “Sirach 10:7 (DRC) — Pride is hateful before God and men: and all iniquity of nations is execrable.”
Job “Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness? -- Job 8:3”
Proverbs “A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor. -- Proverbs 29:23”
Proverbs “Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. -- Proverbs 18:12”
Psalms “God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, and they don’t hold regard for you before them. -- Psalms 86:14”
Habakkuk (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Habakkuk 1:11: Then--when elated by his successes. shall his mind change--He shall lose whatever of reason or moderation ever was in him, with pride. he shall pass over--all bounds and restraints: his pride preparing the sure way for his destruction (Pro 16:18). The language is very similar to that describing Nebuchadnezzar's "change" from man's heart (understanding) to that of a beast, because of pride (see on Dan 4:16; Dan 4:30-31; Dan 4:33-34). An undesigned coincidence between the two sacred books written independently. imputing this his power unto his go”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:31: 1:31 This quotation is a paraphrase of Jer 9:24 (cp. 2 Cor 10:17). Because salvation is a result of God’s sovereign power (1 Cor 2:5) and his decision to save his people, there is absolutely no room for human pride (see 1:29).”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:21: Here is, 1. The wretched character of wicked people. The temper of their minds is bad. They are proud; they magnify themselves above others. And yet that is not all: they magnify themselves against God, and set up their wills in competition with and opposition to the will of God, as if their hearts, and tongues, and all, were their own. There is something of pride at the bottom of every wilful sin, and the tenour of their lives is no better: They do err from thy commandments, as Israel, that did always err in their hearts; they err in judgment, and embrace princ”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 11.12: are on a level with princes, and that they are above all other men except kings; and even the factors look on men of rank as beneath them. I have been told, too, that at Antwerp there are factors who do not hesitate to lay out expenses which the wealthiest of the nobility could not support. We are wont to put questions, when no reply can be given but what we wish; and this is an indication of boldness. 9. To profane the pride, or, to profane the loftiness; for it may be read either way, because loftiness leads to pride, and where loftiness o”
Ezekiel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 28:1: We had done with Tyrus in the foregoing chapter, but now the prince of Tyrus is to be singled out from the rest. Here is something to be said to him by himself, a message to him from God, which the prophet must send him, whether he will hear or whether he will forbear. I. He must tell him of his pride. His people are proud (Eze 27:3) and so is he; and they shall both be made to know that God resists the proud. Let us see, 1. What were the expressions of his pride: His heart was lifted up, Eze 28:2. He had a great conceit of himself, was puffed up with an opinion ”

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