Biblical Concept: Humility

Vocabulary:

1) Tapeinos - low (in situation or condition), humble, poor, mean,
    depressed.

2) Tapeinophrosune - Tapeino = low and phrosune = thinking.

Outline:

1) Jesus’ humility
2) Grace and humility
3) Inclusive humility
4) Serving God and humility
5) Temporal circumstances and humility
6) False humility
7) Reward and humility
8) Humility in Old Testament Wisdom Literature
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1) Jesus’ humility:

     Conclusions: 1)  The context:  Jesus addressed a multitude in a
Galilean city (Matthew 11:1, 7) and “began to reproach the cities in
which most of His miracles were done” (Matthew 11:20).  2)  More
context: In verse 27a,  Jesus said: “All things have been handed over to
Me by My Father . . “  Because of this position of supreme authority,  He
has the ability to dispense rest to souls (11:28b, 29b).  One of the reasons
that He can dispense rest to souls is that He is “gentle and humble in
heart” Himself (11:29).  Jesus is an example for us in the soul dynamic of
humility.  One can be very powerful (“All things have been handed over
to Me by My Father”), but humble as well (“I am gentle and humble in
heart”).  Compare also Moses in Numbers 12:3 and 11:29.  3)   “All
things have been handed over to Me by My Father” also addresses the
Angelic conflict.  Satan thinks God is an unfair liar (Genesis 3:1b, 4-5),
but God proves that He is gentle and humble in heart through Jesus
Christ!      Conclusions:  1)  The humility of Christ is maximum:  obedience to
the point of a humiliating personal death.  2) Christ is worthy of all things
being handed over to Him (Matthew 11:27a above).  3) We should
practice the personal humility described by Paul in Philippians 2:1-5,
because Christ, our example, humbled Himself for us!

2) Grace and humility:

     Conclusions:  1)  The context: Verse 6 is the last verse in a context I
have titled: “Worldly desires and pride.”  2)  The pride of verse 6 is a
worldly oriented mental attitude.  3) The greater grace given to the
humble is a result of the believer’s anti-world (4:4) and spirit oriented life
(4:5).      Conclusions:  1)  Humility is an inclusive attitude amongst Christians, which is rewarded with God’s grace.  Contrast James 2:1-9.  2)  Humility in verse 6 relates to orientation to God and Divine blessing.

3) Inclusive humility:

     Conclusions:  1) The translation: The NASB: “do not be haughty in
mind, but associate with the lowly,” is better translated from the Greek:
“not minding the high things, but leading along with you the lowly.”  2)
Those of humble worldly and humanistic means are to be considered as
spiritual equals.  The humble in life are not to be overpowered and lead
along in spiritual matters.      Conclusions:  1)  Humility is one of the attitudes that  believers are
to have toward each other (inclusive).  2)  The Local Church should be a
mental safe-haven for all who are in attendance.      Conclusions:  1)  Humility is one of the attitudes that  believers are
to have toward each other (inclusive).  2)  The Local Church should be a
mental safe-haven for all who are in attendance.      Conclusions:  1)  Humility is one of the attitudes that  believers are
to have toward each other (inclusive).  2)  The Local Church should be a
mental safe-haven for all who are in attendance.      Conclusions:  1)  Humility is one of the attitudes that  believers are
to have toward each other (inclusive).  2)  The Local Church should be a
mental safe-haven for all who are in attendance.      Conclusion:  It is encouraging to know that God has a plan for comforting the depressed (inclusive).

4) Serving God and humility:

 Conclusions:  1)  Humility was part of Paul’s mental attitude as he served God.  2)  Humility is needed to handle the sufferings related to serving God.      Conclusion:  Rampant sin in the congregation humiliates the spiritual teacher before God.

5) Temporal circumstances and humility:

     Conclusions:  1)  Do not let humble temporal circumstances negatively affect your spiritual life (spiritual confidence).  2)  Do not let positive temporal circumstances negatively affect your spiritual life (pride, power lust, etc.).      Conclusion: Do not let negative or positive temporal circumstances
affect your spiritual life.

6) False humility:

     Conclusions:  1)  Humility is a tool of religious fakery.  2)  Humble religious fakery can be identified by careful comparison of religion and Scripture.

7) Reward and humility:

     Conclusion: Christian Way Of Life humility is rewarded eternally by God.      Conclusion: Christian Way Of Life humility is rewarded eternally by God.      Conclusion: Christian Way Of Life humility is rewarded eternally by God.      Conclusion:  It is a pleasure to know that we will have an eternal resurrection body of glory in heaven.

8)  Humility in Old Testament Wisdom Literature: Proverbs 15:33; 16:19; 18:12 and 22:4.

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