TAPEINOS (Humble)

WRITTEN BY DREW MATZ

What is the Word?

Thinking of Jesus tends to conjure up many ideas and concepts. We may think of certain themes or personality traits such as kindness, gentleness, holiness, or power. Yet, few of these concepts stand in defiance of our current paradigm as that of humility. The humility of Jesus and the Bible’s exhortation to humility poses a direct challenge to the dominant philosophy of our age. The word that the New Testament uses for humility is tapeinos. 

How does the Bible use this word?

The Greek word tapeinos is an adjective which, in its most basic form, refers to the idea of “low” or “lowliness” – being low off the ground. It is descriptive of a person’s reliance, not on the self, but upon God. Ironically, this reliance upon God always exalts a person, honoring their dignity and self-worth before God and the world – but is never self-seeking. 

Where in the Bible?

Humbling yourself so that one may be used by God is a common theme throughout the scriptures, and no less in the New Testament. One place we find this exhortation in in 1 Peter 5:

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

-1 Peter 5:5

This is a great example of the Bible’s exhortation to humility, but also of Peter’s familiarity with the scriptures. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” is a direct quote of Proverbs 3:34. Peter himself draws upon the word of God to encourage believers to clothe themselves with the grace and humility of Christ so that God may exalt them and use them for his good purposes.

Clothed in Humility

In a society which places a premium on the pride of the individual, the New Testament offers a clear alternative to those who are able to perceive the flaws in the message of unmitigated self-promotion and the constant chasing of appetite. Therefore, hear the word of the Lord, who teaches us to deny ourselves, so that Christ might be magnified in us.