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Humility in Worship and Understanding God's Nature

Humility is a foundational Christian grace, characterized by a state of mind that is pleasing to God and conducive to spiritual tranquility [1]. It is considered essential for the service of God [2]. The concept of humility is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, with numerous passages highlighting its importance and benefits.

The Old Testament frequently connects humility with wisdom and honor. Proverbs 15:33 states, "The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility" [4]. This verse suggests that humility precedes honor, a point echoed by the rabbinic commentator Rashi, who notes that "Humility causes honor to come" [11]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, further explains that "the fear of the Lord" involves reverencing God's majesty and authority, leading to submission to His commands and providence. This fear, combined with "low thoughts of ourselves," fosters humility towards both God and humanity [12]. The fear of the Lord is also seen as the "instruction and correction of wisdom," improving knowledge and guiding one's path [12].

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate example of humility [1, 2]. His humility is evident in various aspects of His life, including 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) [3]. He lived a life of poverty (Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9), partook in human infirmities (Hebrews 4:15; 5:7), and submitted to religious ordinances (Matthew 3:13-15) [3]. Christ's humility is further demonstrated by His willingness to become a servant (Matthew 20:28; Luke 22:27; Philippians 2:7), associate with the despised (Matthew 9:10-11; Luke 15:1-2), and refuse worldly honors (John 5:41; 6:15) [3]. His entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5, 7) and His act of washing His disciples' feet (John 13:5) are also cited as powerful examples of His humble character [3].

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, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8) [1]. This passage highlights Christ's voluntary self-abasement as a model for Christian humility.

Humility is not merely a personal virtue but is also crucial for understanding God's nature and engaging in worship. Josephus, in Antiquities of the Jews, suggests that those who wish to live well and legislate for others should first contemplate the Divine nature. By observing God's operations, humans can imitate the "best of all patterns" as much as possible, recognizing God as the "Father and Lord of all things" [5]. This contemplation inherently requires a humble posture, acknowledging the vast difference between the Creator and creation.

In worship, humility is expressed through a "right spirit" and a heart that is aligned with God and others [6]. Psalm 51:19 indicates that sacrifices offered with such a spirit are pleasing to God [6]. True worship, according to John 4:24, occurs "in spirit and in truth," where God's Spirit reveals God's truth and reality to the worshiper [9]. This implies a humble receptivity to divine revelation rather than an assertion of human understanding.

The Christian tradition emphasizes that humility is a gift of salvation, part of the "new nature" that believers receive through God's Spirit [7]. Titus 3:3-4 suggests that humility is fitting when considering humanity's former state before God's kindness and love intervened [8]. God regards the humble (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2), hears their prayers (Psalm 9:12; Isaiah 10:17), and promises His presence to them (Isaiah 57:15) [2]. Humility leads to exaltation (Luke 14:11; 18:14; James 4:10) and greater grace (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6) [2]. It is a paradox that humility, often perceived as weakness, is the way to honor and spiritual riches [1, 10].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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, ”
  3. 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”
  4. Proverbs “Proverbs 15:33 (KJV) — The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”
  5. Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 11, section 4: life well, and give laws to others, in the first place should consider the Divine nature; and, upon the contemplation of God's operations, should thereby imitate the best of all patterns, so far as it is possible for human nature to do, and to endeavor to follow after it: neither could the legislator himself have a right mind without such a contemplation; nor would any thing he should write tend to the promotion of virtue in his readers; I mean, unless they be taught first of all, that God is the Father and Lord of all things, a”
  6. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 51:19: 51:19 Sacrifices offered in the right spirit come from a heart that is right with God and with others (see 15:2-5; 24:3-6; 50:14; Matt 5:23-24).”
  7. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
  8. 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).”
  9. John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 4:24: 4:24 in spirit and in truth: One Greek preposition governs both words (literally in spirit and truth) and makes them a single concept. True worship occurs as God’s Spirit reveals God’s truth and reality to the worshiper. Jesus Christ is the Truth (14:6; cp. 14:17; 15:26).”
  10. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 22:4: See here, 1. Wherein religion does very much consist - in humility and the fear of the Lord; that is, walking humbly with God. We must so reverence God's majesty and authority as to submit with all humility to the commands of his word and the disposals of his providence. We must have such low thoughts of ourselves as to behave humbly towards God and man. Where the fear of God is there will be humility. 2. What is to be gotten by it - riches, and honour, and comfort, and long life, in this world, as far as God sees good, at least spiritual riches and honour in th”
  11. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 15:33: and before honor there is humility Humility causes honor to come.”
  12. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 15:33: See here how much it is our interest, as well as duty, 1. To submit to our God, and keep up a reverence for him: The fear of the Lord, as it is the beginning of wisdom, so it is the instruction and correction of wisdom; the principles of religion, closely adhered to, will improve our knowledge, rectify our mistakes, and be the best and surest guide of our way. An awe of God upon our spirits will put us upon the wisest counsels and chastise us when we say or do unwisely. 2. To stoop to our brethren, and keep up a respect for them. Where there is humility there i”
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