Were you to reach for your New Strong's Concise Concordance of the Bible (King James Version) and turn to page 311 (1985 edition), you would find that the words humility and humble and their various forms (humbled, humbldest, humbleness, and humbly) appears around 70 times. For reference the King James version (1769 edition) has 31,202 (or so) verses.
Were you to sit and count the references, you also find that of the 70 listed, only 15 of them appear in the New Testament. Matthew 18:14, Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11, Luke 18:14, Acts 20:19, 2nd Corinthians 12:21, Philippians 2:8,. Colossians 2:18, 2:23, 3:12, and 3:18, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:3, 5:5, and 5:6.
Even if you allow for different translations using the word "humility" and humble" more or less based on the translator, that seems like an incredibly small number for something that has become such an important part of Christianity.
John MacArthur, in his "Topical Index" in the MacArthur Study Bible, gives a hint of might lie underneath the difference between what appears as text and what is an integral part of Christianity.
Beyond just references to the appearance of the word (as presented above), he also has a category named "exemplified by", and then lists various people of the Old and New Testament which demonstrated the concepts of humility, even if the word "humility" or "humble" was not specifically mentioned - and Christ gets His own section on this.
Suddenly for me, this changed how I viewed humility in terms of Scripture. While there are many admonitions - do this, do not do that - humility is a virtue that is just as much lived out and demonstrated as it is defined. And perhaps this is the reason that it does not appear so often yet permeates Scripture: the examples of humility are so present (especially in Christ) that the writers of Scripture did not feel the need to mention it all the time.
Humility, then, is as much a thing that we live and are defined by as it is a quality that we have.
Living and doing and reinforced by weekly sermons as well as seeing clergy living humbly might provide a better example of humility than just reading/hearing words for a lot of people. Some folks have to have a visual shoved in their face before they "get it" TB.
ReplyDeleteNylon12, there is a lot to what you say. We need more actual humble people and less people that just talk about it.
DeleteWhat you're saying then, is that humility is an action, not just an academic exercise. Like agape love and faith, it is meant to be manifest by our lifestyle. Reminds me of that St. Francis quote (something like) "preach the gospel at all times, if necessary, use words."
ReplyDeleteThat said, I am appreciating this excellent series. Humility is one of those elusive things to me, one that I am ever working toward and ever stumbling over. I've begun to realize, however, that the little stings I get from situations and people (usually people) are reminders not to let my ego jump in and try to take control.
Leigh, I think so, although I honestly think it is accidental discovery on my part. It must be something we are and we do. Which means active practice like any other trait.
DeleteThanks for the kind words. And yes, I am now much more acutely aware of my own heart when I react to somebody. Am I reacting because it's a bad idea or it's wrong or is it merely because it's against something that I want to do or it takes attention away from me?
I'm enjoying this series.
ReplyDeleteThanks John - although I worry I have taken on a subject beyond me.
DeleteI’ll pipe in also. I am so happy that you started this in-depth study on humility. Thanks for all that you do.
ReplyDeleteJohnD
Thank you so much JohnD! I am glad it is helpful.
DeleteI commend your effort. The journey has barely begun and already the quandary is becoming apparent. How does a man explain the idea that diminishing oneself actually makes them stronger? Simply laying claim to the idea that one is, automatically renders the fact untrue. Yet a wise person always remains mindful that they should be meek and regard others as better than themselves. The attempt builds an inner strength and a quiet peace. I believe only a powerful person can practice humility. Christ (who has ALL authority) is the most humble person ever born. We should all strive daily to be as he is.
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