humility – Ministry of Grace Church

with all humility and meekness, with longsuffering, holding up one another in love,

Truth to Learn

As we serve God and others within the church, we need to keep in mind how He treats us.

Behind the Words

The word “humility” is translated from the Greek noun tapeinophrosunē. This is made up of tapeinos, meaning “lowly attitude or low social position” and a form of phrēn, which refers to “a person’s feelings.” Tapeinophrosunē refers to “an attitude of humility” or “humbleness.” This word implies an attitude about self (humble, not proud).

“Meekness” is translated from praotēs, which refers to “meekness, mildness, or gentleness.” This word implies an attitude toward others (not harsh, demanding, or judgmental) and how we feel about what others do to us.

The word “longsuffering” is from makrothumia, which is a compound word made up of makros, meaning “long” and thumos, which refers to “fierceness” or “wrath.” It refers to the ability to patiently endure adversity or unfair treatment without getting angry.

Anechomai is the Greek verb translated here as “holding up.” It is composed of ana, meaning “up” and a form of echo, meaning “to hold.” So, it means “to hold oneself up;” that is, “to restrain oneself.” When referring to our actions towards others, it means “to bear up, to hold up (support), or to patiently endure.”

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse Paul urged us to live our lives in a manner that is consistent with our calling from God. In our discussion of that verse we talked about the fact that every Christian has a calling, that is, an area of service within the church. In today’s verse he tells us how we are to perform that calling. Whether your function involves a lot of responsibility or a little, you are to perform it with a humble spirit. This is especially true of a position that requires a lot of talent and/or training, or one of leadership. Let us take Moses as our example here. In spite of the stubbornness and rebellion of the Israelites even to the point of questioning his leadership, we are told this about him:

And the man Moses was very humble, more than any of the men who were on the face of the earth.) (Numbers 12:3)

In addition to having a humble attitude about ourselves, we are to perform our calling with meekness and gentleness towards others. Since every function within the church involves others, it is easy for some of us to get impatient or judgmental with those who don’t respond to us the way we want them to. Nonetheless, Paul tells us to be gentle with others. And this leads us to the third thing Paul teaches us about performing our calling. We are to do it with patient endurance. We are not to be easily angered or frustrated by what others do or don’t do. Instead, we are to restrain ourselves and patiently endure so that we can strengthen each other with our acts of love.

Application

This is a tall order that Paul gives us as we serve God within the church. None of us will do it perfectly. Nonetheless, if we keep in mind how gentle and patient God is with us, it will be easier for us to treat others the same way. Let us serve Him as humble, gentle, patient, supportive servants.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 5:5

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Truth to Learn

Submission is the key to life within the Body of Christ.

Behind the Words

The word translated “younger people” is neōteros, which is a form of neos, meaning “new in relation to time.” This could be referring either to more youthful members of the church or those who are younger in Christian maturity.

The word translated “submit yourselves to” is hupotassō, a word we have looked at before. This word means “to under-rank oneself.” It is the same word used of wives and employees who are to submit themselves to their husbands and bosses.

The expression “be clothed with” (some translations have “put on”) is a translation of the Greek word egkomboomai, which means to put on clothing. It is particularly used of an apron which is a symbol of servitude. This particular Greek word is written in the imperative mood, indicating a command, and in the middle voice, which means that it is an action which we are to do to ourselves. We are not to do it to others or have others do it to us.

Meaning Explained

Any verse that starts off with a connective word or phrase (therefore, wherefore, in the same manner, likewise, similarly, etc.) requires the reader to pay special attention to the preceding verses to glean the full meaning. This verse starts off with “Likewise” (some translations have this as “In a similar way”), so we need to see what this verse is tied to. Peter has just been talking to the pastors (elders), instructing them how to treat the flock under their care. They are to take on the task willing, eagerly, not as dictators, but as examples. This is a picture of humble leadership.

Now Peter turns his attention to younger ones in the congregation. Peter tells them that, in the same manner as the pastor is to exercise his office (with humility and submission to the Chief Shepherd), they are to submit themselves to the elders of the church.

Peter is telling the congregation that it is their responsibility to voluntarily submit to the authority of the pastor, having just told the pastors how to treat those under their care. This is further corroborated by the following expression, “be submissive to one another.” This is a beautiful picture of the Church of Christ willingly submitting to one another as situations dictate, recognizing that we are all subjects of the God of all creation.

Why are we to submit to each other in the church and to clothe ourselves with humility? Peter tells us, ‘”because God resists the proud (ones) but gives grace to the humble (ones).” Do you want to receive the fullness of the grace of God? Peter tells us that submission is the key!

Application

Whether you are a church leader or a church member, it is your responsibility under God to be submitted to others in the Body of Christ. Members are to be submissive to the elders and the elders are to be examples by submitting to the Chief Shepherd.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: humility

Ephesians 4:2 – Humble, Gentle, Patience

1 Peter 5:5 – Humble Submission