📖 Biblical Definition
True humility is the Spirit-wrought lowliness of mind that knows its own creatureliness and corruption, magnifies God’s grace, esteems others better than self, and gladly takes the lowest place. It is the very mind of Christ: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God... 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" (Philippians 2:5-8). It is distinct from false humility (self-deprecation as virtue-signal) and from servility (cringing weakness). Christian men are not falsely small — they are rightly placed. "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
HUMILITY, n. Freedom from pride and arrogance; a modest estimate of one's own worth; lowliness of mind.
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1. In ethics, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth. 2. A deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will.
📖 Key Scripture
Philippians 2:3 — "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
1 Peter 5:6 — "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:"
James 4:6 — "…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
Micah 6:8 — "…and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Confused with self-loathing, false modesty, or strategic image management.
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The world performs humility for advancement—humble-bragging, ostentatious deferral, the carefully placed apology. The flesh imitates the virtue while keeping the throne. False modesty is pride in costume.
True humility forgets itself. It does not need to be noticed lowering itself, because it has already been lowered before God. It esteems others sincerely, takes correction gladly, and walks under His mighty hand without scheming for the exaltation that comes in due time.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek tapeinophrosunē — lowliness of mind.
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G5012 — tapeinophrosunē — humility, lowliness of mind
G5011 — tapeinos — lowly, humble
H6041 — ʻānî — poor, afflicted, humble
Usage
"False humility is pride in costume."
"God resists the proud, even the proud who say “I'm nothing.”"
"True lowliness forgets itself; it does not curate itself."