Modeling Humility and Vulnerability in Christian Teaching
Humility is a central Christian grace, exemplified by Christ and necessary for serving God [2, 3]. It involves a state of mind that is pleasing to God, fostering tranquility and patience during trials [3]. The New Testament frequently highlights humility as a characteristic of Christian life, with passages such as Romans 12:3, Philippians 2:5-8, and 1 Peter 5:5 emphasizing its importance [3].
Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate model of humility [2, 3]. His humility was evident in 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]. Further demonstrations of Christ's humility include his modest station in life (Matthew 13:55), his poverty (Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9), and his willingness to partake in human infirmities (Hebrews 4:15; 5:7) [1]. He submitted to ordinances (Matthew 3:13-15), became a servant (Matthew 20:28; Luke 22:27), associated with the despised (Matthew 9:10-11), and refused worldly honors (John 5:41; 6:15) [1]. 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) further underscore his humble nature [1]. John Gill notes that Christ's assumption of human nature and his submission to suffering and death are presented as an exemplar for believers to cultivate lowliness of mind [9].
Humility is closely linked with other Christian virtues. It is often paired with meekness, which Christ also exemplified (Matthew 11:29; 2 Corinthians 10:1) and which is considered a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) [6]. Sincerity, characterized by Christ (1 Peter 2:22), is another related quality, requiring genuine love for God and others, and integrity in conduct and faith (2 Corinthians 1:12; Romans 12:9) [5]. Hospitality, commanded in Romans 12:13 and 1 Peter 4:9, is also a practical expression of Christian character, particularly towards strangers and the poor [4].
The cultivation of humility is essential for believers. It is a characteristic of saints, who are regarded, heard, and delivered by God (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2; Job 22:29) [2]. The humble are promised exaltation (Luke 14:11; James 4:10) and receive more grace (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6) [2]. Matthew Henry emphasizes that Christians should strive for unity, love, purity, and holiness, which are all supported by humility [7]. He also notes the importance of bearing with the infirmities of the weak, demonstrating condescension and pity [8]. The early church father John Chrysostom taught that humility is the "mother of good" [10]. The Tyndale House commentary on Titus 3:3 connects humility to the remembrance of one's state before God's kindness and love, highlighting its fittingness for believers [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”
- 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: Hospitality — Commanded -- Ro 12:13; 1Pe 4:9. Required in ministers -- 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8. A test of Christian character -- 1Ti 5:10. Specially to be shown to Strangers. -- Heb 13:2. The poor. -- Isa 58:7; Lu 14:13. Enemies. -- 2Ki 6:22,23; Ro 12:20. Encouragement to -- Lu 14:14; Heb 13:2. Exemplified Melchizedek. -- Ge 14:18. Abraham. -- Ge 18:3-8. Lot. -- Ge 19:2,3. Laban. -- Ge 24:31. Jethro. -- Ex 2:20. Manoah. -- Jdj 13:15. Samuel. -- 1Sa 9:22. David. -- 2Sa 6:19. Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:32. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:8. Nehemiah. -- Ne 5:17. Job. -- Job 31:17,32. Zacchaeu”
- 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: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- 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”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 15:1: The apostle here lays down two precepts, with reasons to enforce them, showing the duty of the strong Christian to consider and condescend to the weakest. I. We must bear the infirmities of the weak, Rom 15:1. We all have our infirmities; but the weak are more subject to them than others - the weak in knowledge or grace, the bruised reed and the smoking flax. We must consider these; not trample upon them, but encourage them, and bear with their infirmities. If through weakness they judge and censure us, and speak evil of us, we must bear with them, pity them, and ”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you,.... The Arabic version renders it, "let that humility be perceived in you". The apostle proposes Christ as the great pattern and exemplar of humility; and instances in his assumption of human nature, and in his subjection to all that meanness, and death itself, even the death of the cross in it; and which he mentions with this view, to engage the saints to lowliness of mind, in imitation of him; to show forth the same temper and disposition of mind in their practice, which also was in Christ Jesus; or as the Syriac version, "think ye the”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: ; why permitted, 280 sq. ; often prevail by the personal virtues of their authors, 286 . Heretics, their aim always to draw disciples after them, 270 ; reason when they should believe, 349 . Hope, a gift of the Spirit, 539 ; implies love and faith, 446 . Hospitality, shown to poor and strangers is shown to Christ, 275 sq. ; Abraham a pattern of, 276 ; a Christian duty, 277 (see Xenon .) House of mourning better than house of feasting, 261 . Household, religious care for, 146 sq. Humility, the greater the gifts, the greater the, 192 ; the mother of go”
- 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).”