When Augustine, the renowned theologian of the early fifth century, was questioned about the three most essential graces for a minister, his response was immediate and unwavering: “Humility; humility; humility.” For Augustine, humility wasn’t just a virtue among many; it was paramount, deserving of the highest honors.
The more deeply we study the Scriptures and examine our own tendencies toward pride, the more we recognize the profound wisdom in Augustine’s assertion. Humility isn’t merely a desirable trait for religious leaders; it’s a fundamental virtue for everyone. If pride serves as the root of all vices, then humility must be the very foundation of all virtues – truly, the virtue of virtues.
Understanding the essence of humility clarifies its crucial role. So, What Is Humility? In simple terms, humility is the disposition of willingly lowering oneself in recognition of a proper, God-centered perspective of oneself. Let’s unpack this definition to fully appreciate why Augustine placed such immense value on humility, and why we should too.
The Downward Disposition: Defining True Lowliness
Firstly, humility embodies a downward disposition of the soul. Scripture often refers to this as a “lowly spirit.” Proverbs 29:23 wisely states, “A person’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.” Similarly, God declares through the prophet Isaiah, “For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit’” (Isaiah 57:15). Tragically, the nation of Israel in the wilderness displayed the exact opposite. They faced God’s judgment because “their hearts became proud” (Hosea 13:6). A humble heart, conversely, is not inflated by self-importance or driven by the pursuit of self-glory. Humility is an internal inclination that directs us inward to assess ourselves with honest lowliness.
However, it’s crucial to understand what the Bible does not mean by a lowly spirit. Humility is sometimes mistakenly equated with a negative self-image, or feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, and excessive sensitivity. This is not the biblical understanding of humility. In fact, a deeply negative self-perception can sometimes stem from the very same pride that fuels arrogance. Whether we are consumed by self-deprecation or self-admiration, the underlying issue can be the same: a heart fixated on self and the desire for human approval.
Simply put, humility is the downward disposition of a Godward self-perception.
Therefore, not every form of lowliness equates to true humility. This vital virtue, the downward disposition, is specifically generated by a Godward self-perception. The lowly spirit of humility arises from seeing ourselves not primarily in relation to others, but in the presence of God. This is why Scripture inextricably links humility and the fear of God. Using parallelism to emphasize their connection, Solomon writes, “The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and humility comes before honor” (Proverbs 15:33). He further states, “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life” (Proverbs 22:4). As our souls ascend in reverence towards God, they simultaneously become rooted in humility towards ourselves. To fear God is to have our hearts captivated by His immense greatness and goodness. As we begin to grasp His infinite majesty, we gain a proper perspective of our own finite, creaturely nature. As we contemplate His boundless goodness, we recognize our own fallen, corrupt state.
Godward Self-Perception: Seeing Ourselves in Truth
A common misconception of humility is that it requires us to forget ourselves entirely. However, true humility is not about self-oblivion, but rather about cultivating an internal mindset that results from seeing ourselves accurately. Pride’s fundamental flaw isn’t self-awareness, but rather self-misperception. Humility is about placing ourselves in our rightful position before the glory of God. As John Calvin famously argued in the opening of his Institutes of the Christian Religion, “Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God’s majesty.”
When we genuinely confront our creaturely limitations and inherent sinfulness in light of God’s self-revelation, it inevitably directs us to one place: the grace of God offered in the gospel. Humility rejects the illusion of self-righteousness and abandons any attempt at self-salvation. The humble soul recognizes that salvation is entirely God’s work. Furthermore, it marvels at God’s incredible loving-kindness in undertaking this work, where the Son of God, the infinite Creator, willingly embraced our finite human existence. He did this to bear the penalty for our corruption and rebellion, so that we could be restored to a loving relationship with Him. The humble soul rejoices in the salvation God has accomplished by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. Having been served so profoundly by God in the gospel, the humble soul is compelled to serve others in word and deed, eagerly anticipating the day when God will be all in all.
The Enduring Importance of Humility
Can you now understand why Augustine esteemed this virtue so highly and why you should too? Humility is a profound need, a virtue essential for all. It is the pathway to genuine self-understanding, a right relationship with God, and meaningful service to others. Embrace humility, and discover the true depth of its transformative power in your life.
This article is inspired by the Virtues and Vices collection.
