Humility

Definition and Meaning

Humility is a disposition of respecting others and lowering oneself rather than putting oneself forward or exalting oneself. Its opposite is pride. Christianity does not regard humility merely as a matter of manners. It understands humility as the creature's right understanding of its place before the Creator, that is, as an attitude that acknowledges that one lives by grace.

Biblical and Historical Background

The Old Testament describes humility in terms of one's relationship with God. Micah 6:8 says that what God requires is "to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goeth before destruction."

In the New Testament, Jesus describes himself as "meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican ends with the words "every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Luke 18:14). John 13 records Jesus washing his disciples' feet. In Philippians 2:3–8, Paul presents Christ, who "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant" and "became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross," as the model of humility for believers to imitate. James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 both quote the saying "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

In church history, Augustine is reported to have written that in the way of faith the first thing is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility. Many later theologians have quoted this saying.

Practice in Korean Churches

In Korean churches, humility is a virtue frequently addressed in preaching and Christian education. It is often spoken of together with the terms "lowering oneself" and "service." Some churches hold a foot-washing service, in which members wash one another's feet, on Thursday of Holy Week. At ordination and installation services, those receiving church office are commonly exhorted to accept it not as a position of status but as a place of service.

The emphasis differs according to denominational tradition.

• Presbyterian and Reformed churches stress human sin and the sovereign grace of God. They therefore regard the refusal to claim any merit of one's own in salvation as the heart of humility.
• Methodist and Holiness churches, within the tradition of Wesleyan theology, treat humility as a fruit of sanctification. John Wesley placed humility first in his description of holiness of heart.
• Pentecostal and Full Gospel churches emphasize humility as the attitude of those who have received spiritual gifts and who give glory to God rather than drawing attention to themselves.

Critics of authoritarianism within the church, however, point out that the word "humility" is sometimes used to silence those who raise concerns. These critics argue that greater humility is required of church officers.