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Using Secular Examples to Illustrate Humility and Servanthood

Humility and servanthood are core Christian virtues, exemplified supremely by Jesus Christ, and are often illustrated through various biblical figures and teachings [1, 2]. While the Bible provides numerous examples, the principles of humility and servanthood can also be observed and understood through secular contexts, offering broader perspectives on these qualities.

In Christian theology, humility is understood as a state of mind pleasing to God, preserving tranquility, and fostering patience under trials [3]. It is a characteristic of saints, leading to divine favor, exaltation, and increased grace [2]. Jesus himself declared, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29) [1]. His humility was demonstrated in his incarnation, taking on human nature, his birth, subjection to his parents, his modest station in life, and his poverty [1]. He became a servant, associated with the despised, refused honors, and even washed his disciples' feet [1]. This divine example underscores that true greatness in Christ's kingdom is found in humility and service [2].

Servanthood, closely linked with humility, involves self-giving and prioritizing the needs of others. Christ's example extends to intercessory prayer for others, including kings, authorities, ministers, the Church, and even enemies [4]. He also demonstrated liberality, giving generously, which is pleasing to God and a characteristic of saints [6]. This liberality should be exercised towards fellow believers, the poor, strangers, and even enemies [6].

While these are fundamentally Christian concepts, secular examples can illuminate aspects of humility and servanthood. For instance, a leader who prioritizes the well-being of their team over personal gain, or a public servant who dedicates their life to improving their community, can embody aspects of servanthood. Similarly, an individual who acknowledges their limitations, is open to learning from others, and does not seek undue recognition for their achievements demonstrates humility. These actions, regardless of their motivation, reflect the outward manifestations of these virtues.

The Bible itself occasionally contrasts societal norms with divine principles, which can be seen as a form of "secular" observation. For example, Ecclesiastes notes, "I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the ground" (Ecclesiastes 10:7, Geneva 1599) [5]. This observation highlights a reversal of expected roles, where those typically in subservient positions are elevated, and those of high status are humbled. Another proverb states, "For a servant when he reigneth, and a fool when he is filled with meat" (Proverbs 30:22, Geneva 1599) [7], suggesting that an unaccustomed rise to power can expose character flaws. These biblical observations, though not explicitly advocating for secular examples, demonstrate an awareness of how human behavior and societal structures can illustrate principles related to status and service.

The concept of humility is particularly fitting when considering humanity's fallen state. All human beings are born with a sinful nature, and even after conversion, individuals continue to commit sins [8, 10]. This universal sinfulness, affecting both Gentiles and Jews, means no one can earn favor with God through their own actions [9]. Humility, therefore, is a fitting response to this reality, acknowledging one's dependence on God's kindness and love [11]. The "great paradox" of humility is that it is the way to honor and exaltation [3].

Sources

  1. 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”
  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. 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”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
  5. Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 10:7 (Geneva1599) — I haue seene seruants on horses, and princes walking as seruants on the ground.”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
  7. Proverbs “Proverbs 30:22 (Geneva1599) — For a seruant when he reigneth, and a foole when he is filled with meate,”
  8. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  9. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  10. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  11. 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).”
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