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Humility in the Face of Recognition and Praise

Humility is a prominent Christian grace, characterized as a state of mind pleasing to God that preserves tranquility and fosters patience during trials [2]. It is often contrasted with pride, which is seen as dishonest self-promotion, while humility is an honest assessment of one's strengths and weaknesses [11]. The concept of humility is deeply rooted in biblical texts and further expounded upon in various theological traditions.

The Old Testament frequently links humility with honor and divine favor. Proverbs states, "The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour" [1]. Another proverb notes that "before honor there is humility" [6], with Rashi interpreting this to mean that humility causes honor to come [7]. Humility is also presented as a necessary quality for serving God [6], and those who are humble are regarded, heard, and delivered by God [6]. The Lord is said to enjoy the presence of the humble [6].

The New Testament emphasizes humility as a core characteristic of believers, with Christ himself serving as the ultimate example [2, 6]. Jesus declared, "Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29) [6]. His humility was demonstrated in his incarnation, taking on human nature, his birth, his subjection to his parents, his humble station in life, and his poverty [5]. He refused honors and even washed his disciples' feet, embodying servanthood [5]. The Apostle 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" (Philippians 2:6-8) [2, 5].

Humility is also presented as a response to God's grace and a recognition of one's former state. Tyndale House notes that humility is fitting when considering humanity's state before God's kindness and love intervened [12]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, explains that humbling oneself before God involves quietly submitting to His will, patiently enduring afflictions, mourning over sin, acknowledging unworthiness, and standing in awe of His majesty [9]. This act of humbling oneself in the sight of the Lord leads to exaltation by God [6, 15]. James 4:10 states, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" [15]. This lifting up can involve honor in place of shame, especially in the context of persecution and oppression [16].

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, John Chrysostom highlights humility as foundational for all good things, particularly for rulers, who might otherwise be prone to arrogance [13]. He points to Moses as an example of "hating pride" [13]. The Jewish tradition, through Rashi, also connects humility with being "bowed" or "humbled" before God [10, 14].

Humility is not merely a passive state but an active disposition that shapes one's interactions and self-perception. It involves recognizing one's dependence on God's grace and attributing all accomplishments to Him [15]. The Bible also contrasts humility with foolish talking or jesting, instead promoting thankfulness [3]. Furthermore, in the context of the body of Christ, parts considered less honorable are treated with greater honor and modesty, reflecting a humble valuing of all members [4]. This perspective underscores that humility allows for learning from others and leads to the honor of success, in contrast to haughtiness which leads to failure due to an inability to accept criticism or change [8].

Sources

  1. Proverbs “Proverbs 29:23 (YLT) — The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour.”
  2. 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”
  3. Ephesians “Ephesians 5:4 (Rotherham) — And shamelessness and foolish talking, or jesting,—which things are beneath you,—but, rather, giving of thanks;”
  4. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 12:23 (BSB) — and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty,”
  5. 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”
  6. 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, ”
  7. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 15:33: and before honor there is humility Humility causes honor to come.”
  8. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 18:12: 18:12 Haughtiness cultivates pride. It leads to failure because it does not allow for change in the face of criticism. Humility learns from others and leads to the honor of success.”
  9. 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 5:6: Humble yourselves therefore,.... Or be ye humbled before God, and in his sight; quietly submit to his will; patiently bear every affliction without murmuring, repining, or replying against him; be still under the rod, and despise not the chastening of the Lord; mourn over sin as the cause, acknowledge your vileness and unworthiness, and stand in awe of his majesty, considering yourselves as under the mighty hand of God a phrase expressive of his omnipotence which cannot be stayed, and it would be madness to oppose it; and which is able to cast down the proud, and da”
  10. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Psalms 35:14: I was bowed An expression of humility.”
  11. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 11:2: 11:2 Pride is dishonest self-promotion, whereas humility is an honest assessment of one’s strengths and weaknesses.”
  12. 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).”
  13. 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 ”
  14. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Zechariah 10:2: they were humbled “to humble yourself before Me.” An expression of humility.”
  15. James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 4:10: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,.... Which is done, when men, before the Lord, and from their hearts, and in the sincerity of their souls, acknowledge their meanness and unworthiness, their vileness, sinfulness, and wretchedness, and implore the grace and mercy of God in Christ, as did Abraham, Jacob, Job, Isaiah, Paul, and the publican; and when they walk humbly with God, acknowledging they can do nothing without him; owning their dependence on his grace, and ascribing all they have, and are, unto it: and he shall lift you up; this is God's usual way to l”
  16. James (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on James 4:10: 4:10 To those who humble themselves before him, God gives honor in place of the shame of their persecution and oppression (Jas 2:6-7).”
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