by Cliff Goodwin
Christianity revolutionized
the world in a number of ways. First, it
changed man’s perception of God from a cold, implacable deity to a loving,
heavenly Father. Second, it changed man’s
outlook toward his fellow-man, even his enemies (cf. Matt. 5:44; Luke
10:25-37). In the third place, and most
relevant for this present study, it changed man’s attitude toward himself.
In the Hellenistic society
of the first century, humility was generally looked upon as a sign of abject
weakness. In fact, the typical disdain
toward humility, or lowliness, in that day and time might well be expressed by
the term “pathetic” in modern lingo. This
prevailing attitude was furthered by the Grecian concept of justice, or
righteousness: “to each one, his own” (Vincent
1:69). In other words, each one looked
out for himself. To the ancient
Hellenistic mind, at least, this approach to life represented both the
foundation of society and the highest ideal of justice.
Christ, through His example
and doctrine, instigated a change in this thinking. Contrary to the popular mindset of His day, He
taught that one should place the needs of others before his own personal
interests. In this way, Jesus Christ made
a virtue out of the “vice” of humility (Robertson). Such would not only revolutionize the way
people think, but it would also change the world forever! This change slowly, but surely, crept over the
world of the first century, going wherever the gospel was taken.
Definition Of Humility
Jesus described Himself as
being “lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29).
Paul told the Ephesian elders that he had served the Lord with all
“humility of mind” (Acts 20:19). What is
the meaning of the Greek root translated “lowly” and “humility” in the English
text? It inherently carried the idea of
littleness, “not rising far from the ground” (Thayer). As Jesus used this word family, it involved
the correct estimation of one’s own littleness, and therefore, dependence on
God. Such need is only compounded by the
reality of sin in every accountable person’s life, except Jesus, of course
(Ecc. 7:20; Rom. 3:23; cf. 2 Cor. 5:21).
The basis for this virtuous
attitude is connected in part to the physical, human body. The inspired Paul wrote, “For our citizenship
is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall fashion anew the body of our
humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory,
according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto
himself” (Php. 3:20-21, ASV). The “body
of our humiliation,” of course, refers to the present state in which all human
beings exist upon the earth—a physical body of flesh and blood. Such an existence is certainly “little” in
comparison to the transcendent, spiritual existence of the angelic beings and
especially of the Godhead (the weakness of the flesh is well documented in Scripture;
cf. Matt. 26:41). Therefore, when Christ
was made flesh, He is said to have been made “a little lower than the angels” (Heb.
2:9, 14). As a human being, Jesus
completely entrusted Himself to the Father’s care, fully submitting to the
Father’s will (borrowed; original author unknown, CG). This was the perfect picture of humility! “His human nature was the pattern of all
humility—a constant living on the fullness of the Father’s love” (Trench,
quoted by Vincent 1:69).
Further, Trench seems to be
the one who first described humility as “creaturely dependence” (Vincent 1:69). All created beings, including angels, should
be humble before the God of creation.
God is the eternal, Sovereign Constant.
He alone is the self-existent, self-sufficient One—the great I AM (cf.
Exo. 3:14). Let no created being,
neither angel nor man, vaunt himself before the Creator. The creature must be cognizant of his own
littleness before the Creator, and therefore, he must realize his total and
utter dependence on Him. Such an
attitude is humility before God and prompts humility among men. After all, the whole of humanity shares this
same status.
Illustrations Of Humility
Jesus was, of course, the
Master Teacher. Therefore it comes as no
surprise that He provided vivid and meaningful illustrations of humility. First, Jesus illustrated this concept using
an unnamed little child (Matt. 18:1-4). How
well do small children exhibit the quality of “creaturely dependence!” They are unassuming and dependent—truly
humble! Children in no wise question
their dependence on others, especially their parents. They sense their own “littleness” in this
world and embrace it. They are quick to
forgive and to reaffirm relationships with others. Vincent wrote that Christ’s disciples “should
willingly become by spiritual process what the child is by nature” (1:103). How beautiful and pure is the humility of a
small child—a virtue, indeed, to be imitated by God-fearing adults!
Second, Jesus also
illustrated humility using an unnamed publican (Luke 18:9-14). As one reads this passage, the pride and
self-sufficiency of the Pharisee is contrasted with the lowliness of the
publiclan. The publican was keenly aware
of three things: his littleness, his
sinfulness, and his dependence on God.
He was truly humble! Drawing from
Christ’s summary and conclusion of the parable in verse fourteen, it might well
be said, “The road to justification is paved with humility” (cf. Jas. 4:6-10).
Applications Of Humility
While the Christian virtue
of being “lowly in spirit” finds application in everyday life (Luke 14:7-11),
it is especially helpful to brotherly relationships within the kingdom of God. The church will enjoy her greatest harmony
and exert her greatest effectiveness, when her members cultivate humility in
their hearts and demonstrate it in their lives.
This great virtue finds application in a number of ways.
One, humility should be
manifested in the way Christians address each other or expect to be addressed
(Matt. 23:8-12). Formal, religious
titles, as used in the denominational world, are not conducive to
humility. Christ stressed the
brotherhood of all true believers—there is nowhere hinted in Scripture the idea
of a clergy/laity system. One
must be careful not to use titles in such a way as to elevate one brother over another.
Two, humility is the ground
on which both rich and poor meet at the foot of the cross (Jas. 1:9-10). Though one man may possess much more of this
world’s goods than another, both are infinitely “little” before God, and
therefore, utterly dependent on Him. As
Robertson noted, “The cross of Christ lifts up the poor and brings down the
high. It is the great leveller [sic] of
men.” For this reason, Christians are
admonished to condescend (accustom, familiarize; CG) themselves to “low” men
and things (Rom. 12:16; cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-31).
Christianity is intended for all who will humble themselves before God,
and such humility can bring together both rich and poor.
Three, humility is the
mindset out of which brethren will serve one another (1 Pet. 5:5-6; Gal. 5:13). Pride says, “It is not my place to serve,” or
“Let him serve me instead.” Humility
understands that all men are but servants before God. It is out of “lowliness of mind” that one
seeks the best interest of another, even before himself (Php. 2:3-4). As a man, Christ indelibly stamped an image
of humble service on the apostle Peter’s heart (John 13:4-17)—an image that he
must have never forgotten (cf. 1 Pet. 5:5-6).
“Humility is a working virtue employed in ministry” (Vincent 1:668).
WORKS CITED
Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Electronic Database: e-Sword, version 7.7.7, 2000.
Thayer, Joseph H. Thayer’s Greek Definitions. Electronic Database: e-Sword, version 7.7.7, 2000.
Vincent, Marvin R. Word Studies in the New Testament. Vol. 1.
Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers,
Inc., n.d.
Cliff's Bio: Cliff Goodwin is a native of the Anniston, Alabama, area. He is married to the former Beth Williams of Talladega, Alabama. They are blessed with one son, Cade, and two daughters: Kinley and Lakelyn. Cliff is a 1995 graduate of Memphis School of Preaching and a 1997 graduate of Faulkner University.
Cliff has worked locally with the Ironaton church of Christ in Talladega, Alabama, since November of 1996. Each week he hosts two television programs that are aired locally and on the Gospel Broadcasting Network, Thy Word is Truth and Searching the Scriptures. Cliff speaks often on various lectureships and holds several Gospel Meetings each year.
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