Biblical humility is grounded in the character of God. The Father stoops down to help the poor and needy (Psalm 113:4-9; 138:6-7 ); the incarnate Son exhibits humility from the manger to the cross (Matthew 11:29; Acts 8:32-33; Philippians 2:5-8 ). The dual usage of "meek" (Gk. praus [ Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; Luke 22:27 ) and his submission before God. Humility and meekness are often inseparable (2Col 10:1; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12 ).
As a sign of genuine religion (Micah 6:8 ) humility is necessary to enter God's kingdom (Matthew 5:3; 18:1-4 ) or to be great in it (Matthew 20:26-27; Mark 10:43-44 ). As the absence of self (Matthew 10:38-39; Luke 9:23-25 ), it is a bankruptcy of spirit (Matthew 5:3 ) that accrues no merit but depends solely on God's righteousness for salvation (Luke 18:9-14,15-17 ). It may involve praying (2 Chronicles 7:14; Daniel 6:10; 9:3-20 ), fasting (Leviticus 16:29-32; 23:27-32; Ezra 8:21,23; Psalm 35:13; Daniel 10:1-3,12 ), and falling prostrate (Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 6:10; Revelation 1:12-17 ) before the Lord. Since the Lord denounces hypocritical worship (Isaiah 58:3-7; Matthew 6:5-8,16-18 ) and false humility (Colossians 2:18,23 ), a person's heart must match his or her posture (Isaiah 57:15; Luke 18:9-14; cf. Isaiah 6:5; Matthew 11:29 ).
Humility is the prerequisite for honor (Proverbs 15:33; 18:12; 22:4; 29:23 ) and physical blessing (Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5 ). Intimately associated with the fear of the Lord (Psalm 25:9,12-14; Proverbs 15:33 ), it may provide the key to wealth and life (Proverbs 22:4 ); but even when blessings are postponed, a humble spirit is necessary (Proverbs 16:18-19; cf. Romans 12:14,16-17 ). It is the gateway to eternal life (Matthew 5:3; 18:1-4 ), not necessarily physical reward (5:10-12).
God gives grace to the humble (or afflicted) but resists the proud (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5 ). Regardless of social or moral position (Luke 1:48,52-54; cf. Psalm 51:16-17 ), God often delivers people who humble themselves before him— whether righteous kings (2 Chronicles 32:24-26; 34:26-28 ), wicked rulers (1 Kings 21:27-29; 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 ), or commoners (2 Chronicles 30:8-11 ).
The Lord exalts the humble (Matthew 23:12; Luke 1:52; 14:11; 18:14; James 4:10 ) in his proper timing (1 Peter 5:6 ). A person must not claim honor for self (Proverbs 25:6-7; Luke 14:7-11 ) but have an unassuming attitude (Romans 12:3 ). Jesus' teaching and life illustrate this perfectly. He humbled himself as a servant (John 13:1-16 ), even unto death (Isaiah 53:7-8; Acts 8:32-33 ) in obedience to the Father (Philippians 2:5-8 ), who highly exalted him (vv. 9-11).
The Lord rewards the humble with wisdom (Proverbs 11:2 ). He does not ignore the plight of the humble and contrite (Isaiah 66:2,5 ) but encourages the lowly and afflicted of heart (Isaiah 57:15; 2 Corinthians 7:6 ).
The Christian ought to emulate Christ's example (Matthew 11:28-30; 2Col 10:1) of meekness and humility. Humility is the foremost test of a truly great person or leader (Luke 22:24-27 ). Paul's teachings and life (Acts 20:18-21 ) emphasize and elucidate Christian humility. Recognizing he was the chief sinner (1 Timothy 1:15 ) and the least saint and apostle (1 Corinthians 15:9; Ephesians 3:8 ) he gloried in the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:10; cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ) and in the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 ) rather than self-righteousness (Philippians 3:3-9 ).
Greg W. Parsons
Bibliography . J. Knox Chamblin, Paul and the Self: Apostolic Teaching for Personal Wholeness; H.-H. Esser, NIDNTT, 2:256-64; F. S. Fitzsimmons, New Bible Dictionary, p. 500; R. E. O. White, EDT, p. 537.