5014. tapeinósis

Lexical Summary

tapeinósis: Humiliation, lowliness, abasement

Original Word: ταπείνωσις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: tapeinósis
Pronunciation: tah-pay-NO-sis
Phonetic Spelling: (tap-i'-no-sis)
KJV: humiliation, be made low, low estate, vile
NASB: humble state, humiliation
Word Origin: [from G5013 (ταπεινόω - humbled)]

1. depression (in rank or feeling)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

humiliation, low estate

From tapeinoo; depression (in rank or feeling) -- humiliation, be made low, low estate, vile.

see GREEK tapeinoo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5014 tapeínōsis (a noun, derived from the root, tapein-) – properly, lowliness ("humiliation"). See 5011 (tapeinos).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from tapeinoó
Definition
low estate, humiliation
NASB Translation
humble state (2), humiliation (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5014: ταπείνωσις

ταπείνωσις, ταπεινώσεως, ἡ (ταπεινόω), lowness, low estate (humiliation): Luke 1:48; Acts 8:33 (from Isaiah 53:8); Philippians 3:21 (on which see σῶμα, 1 b.); metaphorically, spiritual abasement, leading one to perceive and lament his (moral) littleness and guilt, James 1:10, see Kern at the passage (In various senses, by Plato, Aristotle, Polybius, Diodorus, Plutarch; the Sept. for עֳנִי.) (See references under the word ταπεινοφροσύνη.)

Topical Lexicon

Concept Overview

Strong’s Greek 5014, tapeinōsis, denotes a condition of being brought low—whether socially, physically, or spiritually. Scripture employs the word to describe both the abasement caused by external circumstances and the self-chosen humility that aligns a person with the character of God. The term therefore speaks less to self-denigration than to a posture in which God alone receives glory.

Old Testament Echoes

Though a Greek term, tapeinōsis resonates with the Hebrew concept of ʿănāwâ, “lowliness” (for example, Psalm 34:2). In Isaiah 53:8 the Septuagint uses tapeinōsis to translate the Servant’s humiliation, a text later cited in Acts 8:33. This continuity underscores the unity of the biblical witness: God regards the lowly, opposes the proud, and accomplishes redemption through apparent weakness.

New Testament Occurrences

1. Luke 1:48 – Mary rejoices that God “has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant.” Her personal lowliness becomes the stage on which divine magnificence is displayed.
2. Acts 8:33 – Philip reads Isaiah’s prophecy of Christ: “In His humiliation justice was denied Him.” The apostolic message links Jesus’ redemptive suffering to the prophetic anticipation of tapeinōsis.
3. James 1:10 – The rich believer is told to boast “in his low position,” a reminder that earthly status is transient and that all stand equal before the Lord.
4. Philippians 3:21 – Christ “will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body,” revealing that present humiliation is temporary, destined for eschatological reversal.

Christological Significance

Tapeinōsis reaches its apex in the person of Jesus Christ. He embraced humiliation voluntarily (Philippians 2:8) and, through it, fulfilled Isaiah’s Servant Song (Acts 8:33). His pathway sets both pattern and promise: the cross precedes the crown, abasement precedes exaltation.

Ethical and Pastoral Implications

• Identity: Believers ground their worth not in wealth or rank but in God’s gracious regard (James 1:9-10).
• Ministry: Servant-leadership models Christ’s own descent, valuing the overlooked and marginalized.
• Suffering: Seasons of abasement are neither accidental nor wasted; they conform saints to their Savior (1 Peter 5:6).
• Worship: Acknowledging human lowliness magnifies divine mercy, as Mary’s Magnificat demonstrates.

Eschatological Hope

Philippians 3:21 links tapeinōsis to resurrection glory. The same power that raised Christ will reverse every humiliation borne for His sake, transforming “our lowly bodies” into conformity with His splendor. Thus humiliation is not merely endured; it is swallowed up in victory.

Historical Reception

Early church fathers—Ignatius, Polycarp, and later Augustine—viewed humility as the foundational virtue because it mirrors Christ’s descent. Monastic movements institutionalized the pursuit of lowliness, while Reformers warned against turning humility into a work that merits grace. Throughout, the consistent thread is that God esteems the contrite.

Practical Application

• Cultivate gratitude in obscurity, trusting God’s regard (Luke 1:48).
• Embrace trials as opportunities to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings (Acts 5:41).
• Hold possessions loosely, remembering the withering flower (James 1:10).
• Encourage hope in bodily weakness, anticipating transformation (Philippians 3:21).

Summary

Tapeinōsis weaves through Scripture as both condition and calling. Grounded in the humiliation of Christ and culminating in the glorification of His people, it reorients believers toward a kingdom where the last are first and the lowly are lifted.

Forms and Transliterations

ταπεινωσει ταπεινώσει ταπεινώσεί ταπεινωσεως ταπεινώσεως ταπεινώσεώς ταπεινωσιν ταπείνωσιν ταπείνωσίν ταπείνωσις tapeinosei tapeinōsei tapeinṓsei tapeinoseos tapeinōseōs tapeinṓseos tapeinṓseōs tapeinosin tapeinōsin tapeínosin tapeínōsin

Englishman's Concordance

Luke 1:48 N-AFS
GRK: ἐπὶ τὴν ταπείνωσιν τῆς δούλης
NAS: For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
KJV: he hath regarded the low estate of his
INT: upon the humiliation of the handmaiden

Acts 8:33 N-DFS
GRK: Ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ ἡ
NAS: IN HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN
KJV: In his humiliation his judgment
INT: In the humiliation of him the

Philippians 3:21 N-GFS
GRK: σῶμα τῆς ταπεινώσεως ἡμῶν σύμμορφον
NAS: the body of our humble state into conformity
KJV: shall change our vile body, thatINT: body of humiliation of us conformed

James 1:10 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ ὅτι
NAS: and the rich man [is to glory] in his humiliation, because
KJV: in that he is made low: because as
INT: in the humiliation of him because

Strong's Greek 5014
4 Occurrences

ταπεινώσει — 2 Occ.
ταπεινώσεως — 1 Occ.
ταπείνωσιν — 1 Occ.