Humility in Interpreting Biblical Examples and Scripture
Humility is a prominent Christian grace, characterized by a state of mind that is pleasing to God and conducive to tranquility and patience under trials [2]. It is considered necessary for the service of God [1]. The Bible frequently highlights humility as a virtue, with numerous passages encouraging believers to cultivate it. For instance, Proverbs 15:33 states that "humility comes before honor," and James 4:10 advises, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" [1].
Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility [1, 2]. His humility was evident in his willingness to take on human nature (Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:16), his humble birth (Luke 2:4-7), his subjection to his parents (Luke 2:51), and his choice of a modest station in life (Matthew 13:55) [3]. He partook in human infirmities (Hebrews 4:15) and submitted to ordinances like baptism (Matthew 3:13-15) [3]. Christ's humility was also demonstrated through his service, such as washing his disciples' feet (John 13:5), and his refusal of worldly honors (John 5:41; 6:15) [3]. His entire life, from his incarnation to his obedience unto death, exemplified humility (Philippians 2:5-8) [1, 2].
The New Testament further emphasizes humility as a core Christian attribute. Paul encourages 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" (Philippians 2:5-7) [1]. This self-emptying is a profound act of humility. The apostle Peter also exhorts believers to "clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5) [2]. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on 1 Peter 5:5, notes that younger or inferior members of the church should submit to their elders, showing due respect and reverence [7].
Humility is also linked to other virtues such as sincerity and prudence. Christ was an example of sincerity (1 Peter 2:22) and prudence (Isaiah 52:13; Matthew 21:24-27) [4, 5]. Sincerity, particularly "godly sincerity," implies acting as in the presence of God [6]. Prudence is connected with wisdom, enabling individuals to gain knowledge, deal with it effectively, and foresee and avoid evil [5].
The importance of humility is underscored by the promises made to the humble, including divine regard, hearing, presence, deliverance, and exaltation [1]. God is said to lift up the humble (James 4:10) and exalt them (Luke 14:11; 18:14) [1]. The humble are also promised to receive more grace (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6) [1].
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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- 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 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 1:12: For--reason why he may confidently look for their prayers for him. our rejoicing--Greek, "our glorying." Not that he glories in the testimony of his conscience, as something to boast of; nay, this testimony is itself the thing in which his glorying consists. in simplicity--Most of the oldest manuscripts read, "in holiness." English Version reading is perhaps a gloss from Eph 6:5 [ALFORD]. Some of the oldest manuscripts and versions, however, support it. godly sincerity--literally, "sincerity of God"; that is, sincerity as in the presence o”
- 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”