When we think of humility, we imagine someone lowering themselves before others, staying in the background, and not boasting about what they have. While humility involves not putting oneself first, it does not mean acting passively. The best explanation of humility is found in Philippians 2. The church in Philippi was the one of the most exemplary churches Paul established, and Paul was grateful to God every time he thought of the church.
However, even the church in Philippi lacked one thing. Two of the church’s most prominent female leaders were at oods. This likely caused division among those who aligned with each side. To encourage unity within the church, Paul emphasised humility.
“… Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others… have the same mindset as Christ Jesus… rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant… by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:3-8)
The key words here are ‘yourselves’ and ‘others’. Humility is about willingly sacrificing oneself for the sake of others, rather than seeking self-interest. Therefore, the best definition of humility is ‘dedicating, devoting and sacrificing for the needs of others, and not looking to your own interests’.
In Philippians 2, Paul provides an example of two people who walked the path of humility exemplified by Jesus. Paul commended Timonthy to the church in Philippi by saying, ‘For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timonthy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel’ (Philippians 2:21-22). Paul also sent back Epaphroditus, who had come to serve Paul during his imprisonment by asking the church to welcome Epaphroditus in the Lord with great joy, and honour people like him ‘because he risked his life and almost died for the work of Christ’ (Philippians 2:29-30).
Humility means living a selfless life, not self-centred, and being devoted to Christ and to those He loves. In Paul’s letter to Timothy just before his martyrdom, he compares a ‘faithful person’ to Christ’s soldier, who ‘does not get entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer’ (2 Timothy 2:4).
In the Parable of the Bags of Gold in Matthew 25, the servant who had received one bag of gold buried it in the ground and did nothing with it. Yet, he likely continued to diligently manage his personal affairs. For this, he was rebuked as a wicked, lazy servant.
Thus, humility is generally an active behaviour. It is a dedication to the work of Jesus Christ, particulary in caring for His flock and meeting their needs. As the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats in the latter part of Matthew 25 reminds us, God will judge us by ‘how you treated the least of you’. Humility is not an ‘action to receive salvation’; rather, humility is deeply connected the identity of a Christian.
