HUMILITY
(Heb. anawab, Gr. tapeinophrosyne).
Humility and the related substantive and verb humble, translate several OT Hebrew words and the NT Greek tapeinoo
family.
The meaning shades off in various directions, but the central thought is freedom from pride - lowliness, meekness, modesty,
mildness. There is a "false humility" (Col 2:18,23) called
"self-abasement" in RSV. God humbles people to bring them to obedience (Deut 8:2). To humble ourselves is a condition of
God's favor (2 Chron 7:14) and his supreme requirement (Mic 6:8). God dwells with the humble (Isa 57:15)
Humility is encouraged (Prov 15:33, 18:12, 22:4).
To the Greeks humility was weak and despicable, but Jesus made it the cornerstone of character (Matt 5:3, 5; 18:4, 23:12,
Luke 14:11; 18:14). Jesus by His humility drew people to
Himself (Matt 11:28-30; John 13:1-20; Rev 3:20).
Paul emphasized the humility of Jesus (2 Cor 8:9; Phil 2:1-11);
commanded us to be humble towards one another (Rom 12:10;
1 Cor 13:4-6; Phil 2:3-4), and spoke of himself as an example
(Acts 20:19). Peter exhorted humility before the brethren and
before God (1 Peter 5:5-6).
The above and other passages show that humility is an effect of the action of God, circumstances, other people, ourselves, or of
any or all of these on our lives.
Daniel 4:37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
(Heb. anawab, Gr. tapeinophrosyne).
Humility and the related substantive and verb humble, translate several OT Hebrew words and the NT Greek tapeinoo
family.
The meaning shades off in various directions, but the central thought is freedom from pride - lowliness, meekness, modesty,
mildness. There is a "false humility" (Col 2:18,23) called
"self-abasement" in RSV. God humbles people to bring them to obedience (Deut 8:2). To humble ourselves is a condition of
God's favor (2 Chron 7:14) and his supreme requirement (Mic 6:8). God dwells with the humble (Isa 57:15)
Humility is encouraged (Prov 15:33, 18:12, 22:4).
To the Greeks humility was weak and despicable, but Jesus made it the cornerstone of character (Matt 5:3, 5; 18:4, 23:12,
Luke 14:11; 18:14). Jesus by His humility drew people to
Himself (Matt 11:28-30; John 13:1-20; Rev 3:20).
Paul emphasized the humility of Jesus (2 Cor 8:9; Phil 2:1-11);
commanded us to be humble towards one another (Rom 12:10;
1 Cor 13:4-6; Phil 2:3-4), and spoke of himself as an example
(Acts 20:19). Peter exhorted humility before the brethren and
before God (1 Peter 5:5-6).
The above and other passages show that humility is an effect of the action of God, circumstances, other people, ourselves, or of
any or all of these on our lives.
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