Reformed Understanding of Christian Modesty and Humility
Reformed Understanding of Christian Modesty and Humility
The Reformed tradition understands Christian modesty and humility as essential virtues for believers, rooted in biblical teachings and exemplified in the life of Christ. According to John Gill, humility is characterized by "mean thoughts of himself, in walking humbly with God, acknowledging every favour, being thankful for every blessing, and depending on his grace" [6]. This understanding is grounded in scriptural passages such as Philippians 2:5-8, which describes Christ's humility in taking on human form and submitting to death on the cross [2].
In the Reformed view, humility is not merely a negative trait but a positive virtue that enables believers to live in harmony with others and to cultivate a proper relationship with God. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note, "lowliness" is a Christian grace that involves "esteeming of ourselves small, inasmuch as we are so; the thinking truly, and because truly, therefore lowlily, of ourselves" [8]. This understanding is reflected in the biblical emphasis on the importance of humility, as seen in Proverbs 15:33, which states that "the reverence of Yahweh, is the correction of wisdom, and, before honour, is humility" [4].
Modesty, closely related to humility, is also a key aspect of Reformed Christian ethics. John Gill interprets "moderation" (Philippians 4:5) as encompassing "meekness" and "humility," emphasizing the need for believers to demonstrate clemency and lenity in their dealings with others [7]. This understanding is in line with the biblical teaching that believers should "let their moderation be known unto all men" [7].
The Reformed tradition also highlights the connection between humility and the believer's relationship with God. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, humility is a "state of mind well pleasing to God" and is associated with tranquillity, patience under trials, and the reception of divine promises [1]. The dictionary further notes that Christ's humility serves as an example for believers, who are called to follow his example in humility [1, 2].
In contrast to worldly notions of honor and pride, the Reformed understanding of humility emphasizes the importance of considering oneself "small" and dependent on God's grace. As Proverbs 29:23 states, "the pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour" [5]. This perspective is reflected in the Reformed emphasis on the need for believers to cultivate humility and modesty in their daily lives, recognizing that these virtues are essential for a genuine Christian witness.
The Reformed tradition's understanding of modesty and humility is thus deeply rooted in biblical teachings and is characterized by a commitment to cultivating a humble and modest spirit, in dependence on God's grace and in conformity to the example of Christ [1, 2, 3].
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 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: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 15:33 (Rotherham) — The reverence of Yahweh, is the correction of wisdom, and, before honour, is humility.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 29:23 (YLT) — The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour.”
- 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”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 4:5: Let your moderation be known unto all men,.... The Vulgate Latin reads, "your modesty". The Syriac and Arabic versions, "your meekness", or "humility"; graces which accompany moderation, and are very necessary to it, but not that itself. The Ethiopic version renders it, "your authority", which by no means agrees; for moderation lies not in exerting authority and power to the uttermost, at least with rigour, but in showing clemency and lenity; not dealing with men according to the severity of laws and strict justice, but according to equity, and with mildness and g”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:2: lowliness--In classic Greek, the meaning is meanness of spirit: the Gospel has elevated the word to express a Christian grace, namely, the esteeming of ourselves small, inasmuch as we are so; the thinking truly, and because truly, therefore lowlily, of ourselves [TRENCH]. meekness--that spirit in which we accept God's dealings with us without disputing and resisting; and also the accepting patiently of the injuries done us by men, out of the thought that they are permitted by God for the chastening and purifying of His people (Sa2 16:11; compare Ga”