Biblical Hermeneutics and the Importance of Humility
Humility is a foundational Christian virtue, characterized by a state of mind that is pleasing to God and conducive to spiritual tranquility [1]. It involves having a modest estimation of oneself, recognizing dependence on God, and submitting to His will [8, 10]. The Bible frequently highlights humility as essential for serving God and receiving His favor [2].
The person of Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility [1, 2]. Jesus declared His own meekness (Matthew 11:29) and demonstrated it throughout His life [3]. This 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) [3]. Christ's humility was also manifest in His choice of a modest station in life (Matthew 13:55), His poverty (Luke 9:58), His willingness to partake in human infirmities (Hebrews 4:15), and His submission to religious ordinances (Matthew 3:13-15) [3]. He became a servant (Matthew 20:28), associated with the despised (Matthew 9:10-11), refused worldly honors (John 5:41), and even washed His disciples' feet (John 13:5) [3]. The apostle Paul points to Christ's self-emptying (Philippians 2:6-8) as the pattern for believers [1].
Humility is consistently presented in Scripture as a characteristic of saints [2]. The humble are regarded by God (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2), heard by Him (Psalm 9:12), and enjoy His presence (Isaiah 57:15) [2]. God delivers the humble (Job 22:29), lifts them up (James 4:10), and exalts them (Luke 14:11; 18:14) [2]. Proverbs states that "before honour, is humility" (Proverbs 15:33, Rotherham) and that "humility of spirit upholdeth honour" (Proverbs 29:23, YLT) [4, 5]. The greatest in Christ's kingdom are those who humble themselves (Matthew 18:4; 20:26-28), and the humble receive more grace (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6) [2].
The New Testament epistles frequently exhort believers to cultivate humility. Paul urges the Ephesians to walk "with all humblenesse of minde, and meekenesse" (Ephesians 4:2, Geneva 1599) [6]. This lowliness of mind involves having the "meanest thoughts of themselves, and the best of others," not envying others' gifts, and being willing to receive instruction from even the least of saints [10]. It also includes submitting to God's will in adversity and attributing all one's blessings to God's grace [10]. This humility is fitting, especially when considering humanity's former state before God's kindness and love intervened (Titus 3:3-4) [7].
Conversely, pride is identified as a significant obstacle to obedience and a cause of spiritual downfall [11]. The proud are contrasted with the humble, who are objects of God's special tender regard [9]. True humility involves submission to and dependence on God, as seen in various Psalms and Proverbs [8]. It preserves the soul in tranquility and enables patience during trials [1]. The remembrance of one's sins should also lead to humility (Lamentations 3:39) [1].
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”
- 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.”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:2 (Geneva1599) — With all humblenesse of minde, and meekenesse, with long suffering, supporting one an other through loue,”
- 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).”
- Zephaniah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zephaniah 2:3: 2:3 all who are humble: True humility involves submission to and dependence on God (Pss 18:25-27; 119:142-144; Prov 15:33; 18:12; 22:4).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 34:17: Humble penitents are objects of God's special tender regard (Psa 51:19; Isa 57:15).”
- 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”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 13:15: be not proud--Pride was the cause of their contumacy, as humility is the first step to obedience (Jer 13:17; Psa 10:4).”