Humility and Self-Denial in Imitation of John the Baptist
Humility and Self-Denial in Imitation of John the Baptist
John the Baptist's humility is exemplified in his acknowledgment of his role in relation to Jesus Christ, stating, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). This statement reflects a profound understanding of humility and self-denial, virtues that are central to Christian discipleship [1].
The concept of humility is deeply rooted in biblical teachings. According to Proverbs 29:23, "The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour" [4]. The biblical narrative emphasizes that humility is a characteristic of saints (Ps 34:2) and is regarded by God (Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2) [3]. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate example of humility, demonstrated through his incarnation, life, and death (Phil 2:6-8) [1, 5].
The early Christian tradition, as reflected in the writings of the Church Fathers, underscores the importance of humility. Augustine, in his Homilies on John, notes that "so great is the beneficence of human humility, that even the Divine Majesty was pleased to commend it by His own example" [6]. This emphasis on humility is not limited to the Patristic era; it continues through various Christian traditions. John Calvin, a key figure in the Reformed tradition, highlights the significance of self-denial and humility in the Christian life, arguing that believers must "abandoning his own will, devote himself entirely to the service of God" [8].
The practice of humility involves recognizing one's place before God and others. Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, discusses the nature of humility, suggesting that it involves subjecting oneself to others out of reverence for God [9]. This understanding is echoed in the Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, where Matthew Henry comments on Proverbs 25:6, advising against pride and promoting humility and self-denial in one's interactions with others [7].
John the Baptist's life exemplifies the virtues of humility and self-denial. He recognized Jesus as the Messiah and baptized him, despite initially expressing reluctance (Matt 3:13-15). John's willingness to decrease as Jesus increased demonstrates a profound commitment to humility and self-denial. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the importance of humility in leadership and Christian living, citing examples from biblical narratives [10, 11].
The connection between humility and self-denial is a recurring theme across Christian traditions. Calvin notes that self-denial is essential for the Christian life, involving the denial of ungodliness and worldly lusts (Tit 2:12) [8]. This understanding is supported by biblical teachings, such as Jesus' call to his disciples to deny themselves and take up their cross (Luke 9:23-24) [2].
Sources
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- 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, ”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 29:23 (YLT) — The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humiliation of Christ — (Phil. 2:8), seen in (1) his birth (Gal. 4:4; Luke 2:7; John 1:46; Heb. 2:9), (2) his circumstances, (3) his reputation (Isa. 53; Matt. 26:59, 67; Ps. 22:6; Matt. 26:68), (4) his soul (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 22:44; Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15), (5) his death (Luke 23; John 19; Mark 15:24, 25), (6) and his burial (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57, 58, 60). His humiliation was necessary (1) to execute the purpose of God (Acts 2:23, 24; Ps. 40:6-8), (2) fulfil the Old Testament types and prophecies, (3) satisfy the law in the room of the guilty (Isa. 53; Heb”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHARTER XIII. I-5. (part 6): Because so great is the beneficence of human humility, that even the Divine Majesty was pleased to commend it by His own example; for proud man would have perished eternally, had he not been found by the lowly God. For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost. (3) And as he was lost by imitating the pride of the deceiver, let him now, when found, imitate the Redeemer's humility.”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 25:6: Here we see, 1. That religion is so far from destroying good manners that it reaches us to behave ourselves lowly and reverently towards our superiors, to keep our distance, and give place to those to whom it belongs "Put not forth thyself rudely and carelessly in the king's presence, or in the presence of great men; do not compare with them" (so some understand it); "do not vie with them in apparel, furniture, gardens, house-keeping, or retinue, for that is an affront to them and will waste thy own estate." 2. That religion teaches us humility and self-denial, ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: 2006 CHAPTER 7. A SUMMARY OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. OF SELF-DENIAL. 391 391 On this and the three following chapters, which contain the second part of the Treatise on the Christian Life, see Augustine, De Moribus Ecclesiae Catholicae, and Calvin de Scandalis. The divisions of the chapter are,—I. The rule which permits us not to go astray in the study of righteousness, requires two things—viz. that man, abandoning his own will, devote himself entirely to the service of God; whence it follows, that we must seek not our own things, but t”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Humility, Art. 3: Article: Whether one ought, by humility, to subject oneself to all men? I answer that, We may consider two things in man, namely that which is God's, and that which is man's. Whatever pertains to defect is man's: but whatever pertains to man's welfare and perfection is God's, according to the saying of Osee 13:9, "Destruction is thy own, O Israel; thy help is only in Me." Now humility, as stated above (Article [1], ad 5; Article [2], ad 3), properly regards the reverence whereby man is subject to”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: execute judgment. did he not hold him up to scorn? held he not his head bruised under his feet? did he not with much boldness beg of God that others too might do the same? Why am I saying? Absalom exalted himself, David humbled himself; which of the twain was raised up, which became glorious? For what could be a more evident proof of humility than these words which that blessed Prophet spoke of Shimei, “Let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him.” ( 2 Sam. xvi. 11 .) And if you please, we will examine the very cases themselves. ”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: future, that they may bravely bear all things, both the parting from him, and the trials about to take place—just as it was in the case of Moses and Joshua. And see how he begins: “How I have been with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility of mind.” Observe, what most becomes rulers: “hating pride” ( Exod. xviii. 21 , LXX.), says (Moses): which (qualification) is especially in point for rulers, because to them there is (almost) a necessity of becoming arrogant. This (humility) is the groundwork of all that is good, as in fact Christ ”