The Greek verb enkomboomai means 'to clothe oneself with something,' 'to put on,' or 'to fasten securely upon oneself.' The root kombos refers to a knot or fastening. The word occurs only once in the New Testament — in 1 Peter 5:5 — where it is used for the deliberate, decisive putting on of humility.
Peter's command to 'clothe yourselves with humility' (enkombōsasthe tēn tapeinophrosynēn) toward one another is theologically rich. The verb's imagery of tying on a garment suggests that humility is not a natural personality trait but a deliberate spiritual act — something put on, fastened, and worn consistently.
The context (1 Peter 5:5–6) grounds this command theologically: 'because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.' Humility is not mere social politeness; it is alignment with the character of God and the posture of Christ who 'humbled himself' (Philippians 2:8). The community that wears humility reflects its Lord.