What is Humility?
WHAT IS HUMILITY?
Philippians 2:1–11 - Christ’s Example of Humility
[1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christian humility is rooted in Philippians 2:1-11. Let’s quickly think through this passage.
First, this is in the context of being united with Christ (2:1) and united with others in the body of Christ (2:5). It is a pathway to unified fellowship with God and people.
Second, it encourages us, in our relationships with each other, to value others above ourselves” (2:4a).
Third, it encourages us to be oriented toward lifting others up, not using them for our own purposes; i.e., “... not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the other” (2:4b) and doing “nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” (2:3)—because Jesus thought of others, not his own advantage (2:6).
Fourth, this is to be a sincere mindset—the same “mindset as Christ Jesus” (2:5). We should seek to practice humility, not a program of virtue so we look good (i.e., an impression-management program). This mindset is aimed ultimately not at our own glory but “the glory of God the Father” (2:11).
Fifth, “not looking to our own interests but to the interests of others” (2:4) does not mean we make ourselves doormats or that we have no self-worth. Jesus is our example, and he did not make himself a doormat for anyone to take advantage of (note Pharisees, Herod) nor did he make himself of no worth. He was, after all, God’s son, of infinite worth.
Sixth, he clearly said that he was God’s son (Mt 16:15-17; Mt 27:43; Jn 10:10). That is, he had an accurate view of himself—including his strength and weaknesses.
Seventh, Jesus did self-sacrificially give up his life for others. Likewise, we should be thinking of laying down our lives for others and being a servant (2:8).
Eighth, we don’t seek to act humbly because we want rewards or benefits, but as with Jesus, rewards and benefits come as grace from God (2:9-11).
A Definition
So, what is humility? This comes from Ev's research, but, as you can see, it is based on Philippians 2.
Humility includes:
1) Accurate awareness (and admission) of one’s strengths and weaknesses
2) Teachability (an eagerness to correct the weaknesses)
3) Modest self-presentation
4) An orientation to lift others up and not put them down
It is this fourth aspect—an orientation to lift others up and not put them down—that makes it Christian humility. Most secular understandings of humility share the first three aspects, but on the fourth, they emphasize “having a quiet ego.” On this view, humility is about not being arrogant, or about low ego, or about not thinking too much about the self. But it is still inevitably focused on the self. Christian humility is other-focused. It is about serving others and lifting them up. If we seek to elevate others, our ego will be quieted, and yet our focus is on others not ourselves. For the other-orientation, see again Phil 2:3-8.
What do you think? Does this understanding of humility resonate with you? What other examples of Christian humility can you think of in Scripture or in your own life?