Humility's Role in Living Out Preached Truths Biblically
Humility is a prominent Christian grace, essential for living out preached truths and pleasing to God [2]. It is a state of mind that preserves tranquility and fosters patience during trials [2]. The Bible consistently links humility with wisdom and honor, stating that "before honor is humility" (Proverbs 15:33) [2, 5].
The life of Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility [2, 3]. Jesus demonstrated humility 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) [1]. His earthly life was marked by poverty (Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9), association with the despised (Matthew 9:10-11), and refusal of worldly honors (John 5:41) [1]. His ultimate act of humility was becoming a servant and submitting to death (Matthew 20:28; Philippians 2:7-8) [1, 6]. This "humiliation of Christ" was necessary to fulfill God's purpose, satisfy the law, and atone for sin [6].
For believers, humility is necessary for the service of God (Micah 6:8) and is a characteristic of saints (Psalm 34:2) [3]. God regards the humble (Psalm 138:6), hears them (Psalm 9:12), and promises them His presence (Isaiah 57:15) [3]. Those who are humble are delivered, lifted up, and exalted by God (Job 22:29; James 4:10; Luke 14:11) [3]. In Christ's kingdom, the humble are considered the greatest (Matthew 18:4) and receive more grace (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6) [3].
Humility is intimately connected with truth and righteousness. Psalm 45:4 states, "In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness" [4]. Similarly, Psalm 85:11 notes that "Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven" [9]. This connection suggests that a humble heart is receptive to divine truth and enables a life of righteousness. Tyndale House commentary on Jeremiah 4:2 emphasizes that a correct attitude in prayer and oaths reflects truth, justice, and righteousness, requiring a radical transformation of inner lives and outer lifestyles [12].
Living out preached truths requires sincerity, which is opposed to fleshly wisdom and should characterize a believer's love for God and others, service to God, and overall conduct (2 Corinthians 1:12; Romans 12:9) [7]. Humility fosters this sincerity, allowing individuals to "properly handl[e] the Word of Truth" (2 Timothy 2:15) [8]. John Gill, commenting on Ephesians 4:2, explains that humility involves entertaining mean thoughts of oneself and high thoughts of others, not envying others' gifts, and being willing to receive instruction, all of which are consistent with a walk worthy of one's calling [10]. Matthew Henry further notes that humility is a key aspect of mutual love, unity, and concord among Christians [11].
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”
- 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 — 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, ”
- Psalms “In your majesty ride on victoriously on behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness. Let your right hand display awesome deeds. -- Psalms 45:4”
- Proverbs “The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. -- Proverbs 15:33”
- 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”
- 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; ”
- 2 Timothy “Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth. -- 2 Timothy 2:15”
- Psalms “Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven. -- Psalms 85:11”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:2: With all lowliness and meekness,..... In the exercise of humility, which shows itself in believers, in entertaining and expressing the meanest thoughts of themselves, and the best of others; in not envying the gifts and graces of others, but rejoicing at them, and at every increase of them; in a willingness to receive instruction from the meanest saints; in submission to the will of God in all adverse dispensations of Providence; and in ascribing all they have, and are, to the grace of God: and so to behave, is to walk agreeably to their calling of God; and what the”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:2: Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he enlarges upon in this chapter: - To unity an love, purity and holiness, which Christians should very much study. We do not walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called if we be not faithful friends to all Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin. This section contains the exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, with the proper means and motives to promote them. Nothing is pressed upon us more earnestly in the scriptures than this. Love is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of h”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 4:2: 4:2 As surely as the Lord lives: The correct attitude when offering a prayer of confession and making oaths reflects truth, justice, and righteousness. Truth means that the inner attitudes and thoughts of those praying match the words they utter. Justice means living by the laws of the Lord, who will judge the earth. Righteousness means that people relate to others in accordance with the Lord’s Spirit and the moral standards he has established. This kind of prayer requires a radical transformation of people’s inner lives and outer lifestyle (Gen 22:18; Deut 10:20”