Humility in Example-Setting and Teaching According to Scripture
Humility is a foundational Christian grace, essential for service to God and a characteristic of saints [1, 3]. Scripture presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of humility, both in his life and teachings [1, 2, 3, 4].
Jesus declared his own humility, stating, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29) [1, 2]. His humility was demonstrated through his incarnation, taking on human nature (Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:16), his humble birth (Luke 2:4-7), and his subjection to his parents (Luke 2:51) [2]. He embraced a modest station in life, was poor, and partook in human infirmities (Matthew 13:55; Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Hebrews 4:15) [2]. Christ's humility was further evident in his willingness to submit to ordinances, become a servant, associate with the despised, refuse worldly honors, and even wash his disciples' feet (Matthew 3:13-15; 20:28; John 13:5, 14-15) [2, 4]. This act of foot-washing serves as a direct example for believers to follow [1].
The New Testament consistently calls believers to emulate Christ's humility [4]. Paul exhorts believers to have the same mindset as Christ, who, "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 2:5-7) [1, 3]. This humility is not merely an internal state but is to be expressed in actions and teaching. Titus 2:7 instructs, "In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity" [5].
Humility is pleasing to God and brings spiritual benefits. The humble are regarded, heard, and delivered by God, enjoying His presence and receiving more grace (Psalm 9:12; 138:6; Isaiah 57:15; James 4:6) [1]. Proverbs 15:33 states, "Before honor is humility," indicating that humility precedes honor [1, 6]. Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashi) interprets this proverb to mean that humility is the cause of honor [10]. God promises to guide and teach the humble (Psalm 25:9) [7]. Conversely, pride is often seen as a precursor to destruction (Proverbs 16:18) [3]. The apostle Peter encourages believers to clothe themselves with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5) [3, 9]. This humility is particularly fitting when considering humanity's state before God's kindness and love were revealed (Titus 3:3-4) [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, ”
- 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”
- 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: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
- Titus “Titus 2:7 (BSB) — In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,”
- Proverbs “The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. -- Proverbs 15:33”
- Psalms “He will guide the humble in justice. He will teach the humble his way. -- Psalms 25:9”
- 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).”
- 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”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 15:33: and before honor there is humility Humility causes honor to come.”