Importance of Humility in Receiving Biblical Correction
Humility is a foundational Christian grace, characterized by a state of mind that is pleasing to God and conducive to spiritual tranquility [1]. It is essential for receiving biblical correction because it enables an individual to accept instruction and admonition, even from those considered less significant [11, 14]. The Bible consistently presents humility as a prerequisite for wisdom and honor, stating that "before honour, is humility" [4].
The importance of humility in receiving correction is underscored by the example of Christ himself. Jesus declared, "I am gentle and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29), and his life exemplified this virtue [3]. His humility was evident in his incarnation, taking on human nature, his birth, his subjection to his parents, his poverty, and his willingness to serve others, even washing his disciples' feet [3, 6]. This example sets a standard for believers, who are called to conform to Christ's humility [6].
Humility allows believers to approach God with reverence and awe, serving Him acceptably [5]. It is also linked to receiving grace, as James 4:6 states that God "gives grace to the humble" [2]. This grace is crucial for navigating life's challenges and for spiritual growth. When individuals are humble, they are more likely to be heard by God, enjoy His presence, and be delivered and exalted by Him [2].
Conversely, a lack of humility can hinder spiritual development and the reception of truth. Pride, the opposite of humility, often leads to resistance to correction. The apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 14, urging believers to "receive him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions" [8]. This instruction, interpreted by some as referring to those whose faith lacks firmness and breadth, highlights the need for humility in dealing with differing perspectives and weaknesses within the Christian community [10]. Matthew Henry further elaborates on this, noting that stronger Christians should bear the "infirmities of the weak," including their judgments and censures, with pity and patience [12]. This requires a humble spirit that prioritizes unity and understanding over self-assertion.
The concept of humility is also tied to the idea of "godly sincerity," which involves living as if in the presence of God [13]. This sincerity fosters an openness to correction, as one is more concerned with divine approval than with human opinion. The Tyndale House commentary on Titus 3:3 connects humility to a remembrance of one's past state before God's kindness and love intervened, suggesting that a recognition of one's own spiritual journey should naturally lead to humility [9]. This self-awareness makes individuals more receptive to guidance and correction, understanding that they too were once "ignorant and going astray" [7].
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.”
- Hebrews “Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, -- Hebrews 12:28”
- 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. --”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 5:2 (YLT) — able to be gentle to those ignorant and going astray, since himself also is compassed with infirmity;”
- Romans “Romans 14:1 (BSB) — Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.”
- 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).”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 14 (introduction): SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED--CHRISTIAN FORBEARANCE. (Rom. 14:1-23) Him that is weak in the faith--rather, "in faith"; that is, not "him that is weak in the truth believed" [CALVIN, BEZA, ALFORD, &c.], but (as most interpreters agree), "him whose faith wants that firmness and breadth which would raise him above small scruples." (See on Rom 14:22-23). receive ye--to cordial Christian fellowship. but not to doubtful disputations--rather, perhaps, "not to the deciding of doubts," or "scruples;" that is, not for the purpose of arguing him out o”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 5:5: Blessed are the meek,.... Who are not easily provoked to anger; who patiently bear, and put up with injuries and affronts; carry themselves courteously, and affably to all; have the meanest thoughts of themselves, and the best of others; do not envy the gifts and graces of other men; are willing to be instructed and admonished, by the meanest of the saints; quietly submit to the will of God, in adverse dispensations of providence; and ascribe all they have, and are, to the grace of God. Meekness, or humility, is very valuable and commendable. The Jews, though a proud,”
- 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 ”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 1:12: For--reason why he may confidently look for their prayers for him. our rejoicing--Greek, "our glorying." Not that he glories in the testimony of his conscience, as something to boast of; nay, this testimony is itself the thing in which his glorying consists. in simplicity--Most of the oldest manuscripts read, "in holiness." English Version reading is perhaps a gloss from Eph 6:5 [ALFORD]. Some of the oldest manuscripts and versions, however, support it. godly sincerity--literally, "sincerity of God"; that is, sincerity as in the presence o”
- 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”