Humility as a Christian Virtue in Scripture and Practice
Humility is a central Christian virtue, characterized by a state of mind that is pleasing to God and essential for spiritual growth and service [1, 2]. It involves having a modest estimation of oneself, acknowledging dependence on God's grace, and behaving with modesty among others [9, 10]. The Bible frequently highlights humility as a prerequisite for honor and a path to receiving divine favor [1, 2].
The life of Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility [1, 2]. He declared his own meekness (Matthew 11:29) and demonstrated it through various aspects of his life and ministry [3]. This included taking on human nature (Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:16), his humble birth (Luke 2:4-7), his subjection to his parents (Luke 2:51), his poverty (Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9), and his willingness to associate with the despised (Matthew 9:10-11) [3]. Christ's humility culminated in his obedience to the point of death, even washing his disciples' feet as a servant (John 13:5; Philippians 2:7-8) [3].
Scripture consistently links humility with God's regard and promises. The humble are heard by God (Psalm 9:12), enjoy His presence (Isaiah 57:15), are delivered by Him (Job 22:29), and will be exalted (Luke 14:11; James 4:10) [2]. Proverbs 15:33 states, "Before honor is humility" [5], indicating that humility precedes true honor [2]. This virtue is also seen as a means to receive more grace (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6) [2].
The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to cultivate humility. In Ephesians 4:2, he urges Christians to walk "with all lowliness and meekness" [4], which John Gill interprets as entertaining mean thoughts of oneself and the best of others, rejoicing in others' gifts, and submitting to God's will [10]. Matthew Henry further emphasizes that this humility is part of walking worthy of one's calling [7]. Peter likewise encourages humility, particularly among the younger members of the church towards their elders (1 Peter 5:5) [8]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 1 Peter 3:8 notes that "humble-minded" is a distinct quality, marked by genuine Christian politeness rooted in love and humility [12].
Humility is also understood in contrast to pride, which the apostle Paul warns against, particularly when considering God's "severity" towards those who fell due to unbelief (Romans 11:22) [11]. The recognition of one's former state before God's kindness and love came is a strong motivation for humility (Titus 3:3-4) [6].
Sources
- 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, ”
- 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”
- Ephesians “cum omni humilitate, et mansuetudine, cum patientia, supportantes invicem in caritate, -- Ephesians 4:2”
- Proverbs “The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility. -- Proverbs 15:33”
- 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).”
- 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”
- 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”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 5:22: Meekness,.... Humility and lowliness of mind, of which Christ is an eminent example and pattern; and which the Holy Spirit from him transcribes into the heart of a regenerate person; and lies in having mean thoughts of himself, in walking humbly with God, acknowledging every favour, being thankful for every blessing, and depending on his grace, and in behaving with modesty and humility among men. The last of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned is temperance, or "continence"; and designs both chastity and sobriety, and particularly moderation in eating and drinking”
- 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”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 11:22: Behold therefore the goodness, and severity of God,.... The consideration of both the grace and kindness of God to some, and his severity or strict justice towards others, is recommended by the apostle as very proper to abate pride, vain glory, and haughtiness of spirit; and to engage to humility, fear, care, and caution; on them which fell, severity: the Jews who stumbled at Christ and his Gospel, and fell by unbelief, God in strict justice and righteous judgment not only destroyed, as afterwards their nation, city, and temple, and scattered them abroad in the wor”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:8: General summary of relative duty, after having detailed particular duties from Pe1 2:18. of one mind--as to the faith. having compassion one of another--Greek, "sympathizing" in the joy and sorrow of others. love as brethren--Greek, "loving the brethren." pitiful--towards the afflicted. courteous--genuine Christian politeness; not the tinsel of the world's politeness; stamped with unfeigned love on one side, and humility on the other. But the oldest manuscripts read, "humble-minded." It is slightly different from "humble," in that it marks a ”