Ephesians 4:1-3
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Yesterday I focused in on the phrase found at the end of verse 2 “showing tolerance for one another in love.” Nothing like jumping right into the middle of a verse, but then, as I noted, that is what stood out to me – yesterday.
Upon continued reflection and study of these verses, I found several other things intriguing as well and thought I would comment on them one at a time. Generally speaking, what we find in these three verses is the call “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which [we] have been called” followed by some expressions of what this “walk” – this behavior of consistent gospel living - looks like. This picture of a worthy walk begins in verse 2 with the word “humility”.
What comes to your mind when you read the word “humility”? A dictionary definition of “humility” is – “the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc…” We consider “humility” a virtue and essentially as the opposite of arrogance or self-pride. But what is interesting about this word as
Paul used it is that in Paul’s day, there was NO word for humility. The idea of having a modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance was considered so odious to the Greek and Roman cultures that there was no word given to describe such a quality; as least as we know it.
Paul used it is that in Paul’s day, there was NO word for humility. The idea of having a modest opinion or estimate of one’s own importance was considered so odious to the Greek and Roman cultures that there was no word given to describe such a quality; as least as we know it.
So how did Paul come up with the word translated humility in our text? Most scholars believe that the early Christians coined this word and some even believe that Paul himself put two Greek words to communicate the Christian virtue of humility. The two Greek words are tapeinos – which speaks of a state of being; being in low degree or without means. We might say of a beggar that he is in a “humble estate”. Paul combined this word with phren – which speaks of the mind or the understanding. So the combination of these two words yielded – tapeinophrosune – which means to be of lowly mind, or lowly minded.
When left to ourselves and unchecked by self or by others, we will tend to have inflated views of ourselves and of our rights. We will begin to expect and demand more from others than we are perhaps willing to give of ourselves. To be humble is not to demand such “rights” so that you are ministered to; but rather to give up your own rights in order to minister to and meet the needs of others. Jesus Himself was “humble in spirit” – not demanding His deserved rights as God in the flesh, as the royal and lofty Son of the Most High God, but rather coming to serve. And He served well.
I read a story that illustrated the idea of humility. The story is of a very educated and respected pastor who had earned his doctorate in theology. He had a lofty manner of expressing himself and expected others to honor his station of life. As he was visiting the people in his parish, he called upon the cottage of an elderly woman, who, in disregard of the times and customs in which she lived, spoke to the pastor in the most familiar of terms saying, “Come in by and sit doun.” The stately pastor, who had expected a more respectful greeting, spoke to her in firmness in order to quell any further familiar speech by the women saying, “Woman, I am a servant of the Lord God come to speak with you on the concerns of your soul.” The woman looked at the pastor and admirably said, “Then, ye’ll be humble like ye Maister.” Upon hear these words, the pastor felt the reproof deeply and never again sought to magnify himself at the expense of his office.
If we are to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which [we] have been called” then we must be humble, never seeking to magnify ourselves at the expense of our position. When we put expectations on others because of our position, be it a businessman or a housewife, a CEO or a father or mother, a church leader or pastor, we are not being humble. We are not thinking in terms of how to best minister to others, but rather how we think others should best minister to us. Let us learn to be humble like our Master; considering the needs of others before we consider even our own needs, to the glory of God and to the building up of the body of Christ.
I close once again with the words of Paul in Titus 3:14 and prayerfully ask you to make this your ambition:
Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.
SDG,
Pastor Ed
2 comments:
Thomas Watson
"The humble Christian studies his own unworthiness. He looks with one eye upon grace—to keep his heart cheerful; and with the other eye upon sin—to keep it humble. Better is that sin which humbles me, than that duty which makes me proud! As humility hides another's error—so it hides its own graces. Humility looks upon another's virtues—and its own infirmities. The humble man admires that in another which he slights in himself. He is one who does not deny only his evil things—but his good things. He is one who does not deny only his sins but his duties. He desires to have atonement made even for the pious duties."
What a perfect sum up, Tyler! Thanks
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