Lowliness, often synonymous with humility, is a virtue highly esteemed in the Bible. It is characterized by a modest view of one's own importance and a willingness to submit to God and serve others. This quality is frequently highlighted in Scripture as essential for a righteous life and a close relationship with God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, lowliness is often associated with the fear of the Lord and wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 states, "When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom." This verse underscores the contrast between pride and lowliness, emphasizing that humility leads to wisdom and honor. Similarly, Proverbs 22:4 declares, "The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life."

The life of Moses exemplifies lowliness. Numbers 12:3 describes him as "a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth." Despite his significant role as a leader, Moses consistently demonstrated a humble reliance on God, seeking His guidance and interceding for the people of Israel.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, lowliness is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself is the ultimate example of humility. Philippians 2:5-8 speaks of Christ's humility: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross."

Jesus taught His disciples about the importance of lowliness in His Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:3 , He states, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This beatitude highlights the spiritual poverty and humility required to enter God's kingdom.

The apostle Paul frequently exhorted believers to practice lowliness. In Ephesians 4:1-2 , he writes, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." Paul emphasizes that lowliness is foundational to Christian conduct and community life.

Practical Implications

Lowliness is not merely an inward disposition but is expressed through actions. It involves serving others selflessly, as seen in Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet (John 13:14-15). Believers are called to emulate this example, putting others' needs above their own.

James 4:10 encourages believers to "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." This promise assures that God honors those who practice lowliness, lifting them up in due time.

Conclusion

Lowliness is a foundational Christian virtue that reflects the character of Christ. It is essential for spiritual growth, harmonious relationships, and effective service in God's kingdom. Through the practice of humility, believers align themselves with God's will and experience His grace and favor.1. (n.) The state or quality of being lowly; humility; humbleness of mind.

2. (n.) Low condition, especially as to manner of life.

5012. tapeinophrosune -- lowliness of mind, humility
... lowliness of mind, humility. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
tapeinophrosune Phonetic Spelling: (tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5012.htm - 7k

5012a. tapeinophrosune -- lowliness of mind, humility
... 5012, 5012a. tapeinophrosune. 5012b . lowliness of mind, humility.
Transliteration: tapeinophrosune Short Definition: humility. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5012a.htm - 5k

5013. tapeinoo -- to make low, fig. to humble
... With the believer, 5013 ("show humility, true lowliness") happens by being fully
dependent on the Lord -- dismissing reliance upon (-government) and . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5013.htm - 7k

5011. tapeinos -- low-lying, fig. lowly, hence lowly in spirit
... 5011 (an adjective) -- properly, ; (figuratively) inner lowliness describing
the person who on the Lord rather than . See 5012 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5011.htm - 7k

Lowliness.
... LOWLINESS. But few traits of Christian character are more lovely than lowliness.
Humility, meekness, and lowliness are terms nearly ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/lowliness.htm

Christianity in Poverty and Lowliness, and on the Sick Bed.
... CHRISTIANITY IN POVERTY AND LOWLINESS, AND ON THE SICK BED. THE working of
Christianity is not less seen in small than in great things. ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/christianity in poverty and lowliness.htm

December the Sixth the Grace of Lowliness
... DECEMBER The Sixth THE GRACE OF LOWLINESS. 1 CHRONICLES xvii.16-27. It is
by such lowliness that we arrive at our true sovereignty. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/december the sixth the grace.htm

Concerning Lowliness of Mind.
... concerning lowliness of mind. HOMILY. Against those who improperly use
the apostolic declaration which says, "Whether in pretence ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/concerning lowliness of mind.htm

Not the Lowliness of the Material, but the Dignity and Skill of ...
... Chapter VI."Not the Lowliness of the Material, But the Dignity and Skill of the
Maker, Must Be Remembered, in Gauging the Excellence of the Flesh. ...
/.../tertullian/on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter vi not the lowliness of.htm

November 30. "In Lowliness of Mind Let Each Esteem Other Better ...
... NOVEMBER 30. "In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves"
(Phil. ii. 3). "In lowliness of mind let each esteem ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /november 30 in lowliness of.htm

The Lowliness of My Tongue Confesseth unto Thy Highness...
... Book XII Chapter II The lowliness of my tongue confesseth unto Thy Highness?
The lowliness of my tongue confesseth unto Thy Highness ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter ii the lowliness of.htm

St. Chrysostom: Homily Concerning Lowliness of Mind; and ...
... St. Chrysostom: Homily concerning lowliness of mind; and commentary on
philippians I. 18. translated by r. blackburn, ma,. rector ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/st chrysostom homily concerning lowliness.htm

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity. I Beseech You that Ye Walk ...
... I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with
all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/seventeenth sunday after trinity i.htm

Sermon for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
... to learn this doctrine, and these were the holy apostles, and His blessed mother,
who said when she had conceived Him: "He hath regarded the lowliness of His ...
/.../viii sermon for the sixth.htm

Lowliness (9 Occurrences)
...Lowliness (9 Occurrences). Luke 1:48 Because He looked on the lowliness of His
maid-servant, For, lo, henceforth call me happy shall all the generations, (YLT). ...
/l/lowliness.htm - 8k

Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)
... YLT). Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering,
bearing with one another in love; (DBY WBS YLT). Colossians ...
/l/long-suffering.htm - 13k

Givest (31 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). 2 Samuel 22:36 And Thou givest to me the shield of
Thy salvation, And Thy lowliness maketh me great. (YLT). ...
/g/givest.htm - 15k

Patience (59 Occurrences)
... NIV). Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing
with one another in love; (WEB WEY NAS RSV). Colossians ...
/p/patience.htm - 27k

Low (216 Occurrences)
... (WEY BBE). Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but
in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ...
/l/low.htm - 39k

Lowly (29 Occurrences)

/l/lowly.htm - 14k

Humility (20 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance;
lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth; a sense of one's own ...
/h/humility.htm - 21k

Vainglory (2 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness
of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (KJV WEY ASV). ...
/v/vainglory.htm - 8k

Unselfishness (1 Occurrence)
... Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness of mind and unselfishness, and with patience, bearing
with one another lovingly, and earnestly striving to maintain, (WEY). ...
/u/unselfishness.htm - 6k

Lowliest (3 Occurrences)

/l/lowliest.htm - 7k

What does the Bible say about humility? | GotQuestions.org

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Lowliness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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