The term "lowly" in the Bible often refers to humility, meekness, and a modest disposition. It is a characteristic highly esteemed in Scripture, reflecting a heart that is submissive to God and considerate of others. The concept of lowliness is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating its importance in the life of a believer.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "lowly" is "anav," which conveys humility and gentleness. The Psalms frequently highlight the virtue of lowliness. Psalm 138:6 states, "Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar." This verse underscores God's special attention and favor towards those who are humble in spirit.

The prophets also emphasize lowliness as a desirable trait. In Isaiah 57:15 , God declares, "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" Here, lowliness is associated with contrition and repentance, qualities that draw God's presence and revitalization.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "tapeinos" is often used to describe lowliness. Jesus Christ exemplifies this trait, as seen in Matthew 11:29 , where He invites, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Jesus' life and ministry are the ultimate model of lowliness, characterized by service, sacrifice, and submission to the Father's will.

The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to adopt a lowly mindset. In Philippians 2:3 , he writes, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." This instruction calls Christians to prioritize others, reflecting the selfless love of Christ.

Theological Significance

Lowliness is not merely an external demeanor but a profound internal attitude that aligns with God's character. It is a recognition of one's own limitations and a reliance on God's strength and wisdom. James 4:6 reminds believers, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" The lowly receive God's grace, enabling them to live in accordance with His will.

Practical Application

In practical terms, lowliness manifests in various aspects of a believer's life. It involves a willingness to serve others, a readiness to forgive, and an openness to correction and growth. It is seen in the way one interacts with others, prioritizing their needs and valuing their contributions.

The call to lowliness is a call to reflect Christ's character in a world that often values pride and self-promotion. By embracing a lowly spirit, believers testify to the transformative power of the Gospel and the reality of God's kingdom.1. (a.) Cast down; common; base; not elevated in place; low.

2. (a.) Low in rank or social importance.

3. (a.) Not lofty or sublime; humble.

4. (a.) Having a low esteem of one's own worth; humble; meek; free from pride.

5. (adv.) In a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly.

6. (adv.) In a low condition; meanly.

5011. tapeinos -- low-lying, fig. lowly, hence lowly in spirit
... lowly, hence lowly in spirit. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: tapeinos
Phonetic Spelling: (tap-i-nos') Short Definition: humble, lowly Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5011.htm - 7k7807. shach -- low, lowly
... 7806, 7807. shach. 7808 . low, lowly. Transliteration: shach Phonetic
Spelling: (shakh) Short Definition: person. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/7807.htm - 6k

6041. ani -- poor, afflicted, humble
... Word Origin from anah Definition poor, afflicted, humble NASB Word Usage afflicted
(42), afflicted one (1), humble (3), lowly (1), needy (2), needy and poor (1 ...
/hebrew/6041.htm - 6k

8217. shaphal -- low
... 8216, 8217. shaphal. 8218 . low. Transliteration: shaphal Phonetic Spelling:
(shaw-fawl') Short Definition: lowly. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/8217.htm - 6k

6035. anav -- poor, afflicted, humble, meek
... afflicted (8), afflicted ones (1), humble (10), poor (1). humble, lowly,
meek, poor. Or (by intermixture with aniy) Aanayv {aw-nawv ...
/hebrew/6035.htm - 6k

6800. tsana -- to be modest or humble
... root Definition to be modest or humble NASB Word Usage humbly (1). humbly, lowly.
A primitive root; to humiliate -- humbly, lowly. 6799, 6800. tsana. 6801 ...
/hebrew/6800.htm - 5k

1800b. dal -- low, weak, poor, thin
... Word Origin from dalal Definition low, weak, poor, thin NASB Word Usage depressed
(1), helpless (7), least (1), lowly (2), needy (1), poor (29), poor man (3 ...
/hebrew/1800b.htm - 5k

8213. shaphel -- to be or become low, to be abased
... 1), brings down (1), brings low (1), brought low (1), cast down (1), go down (1),
humbles (1), laid low (1), lay low (2), lays it low (2), lowly (1), made low ...
/hebrew/8213.htm - 6k

Lowly.
... LOWLY. LOWLY. 7,6,7,6,6,7,6,7. ... [58]Ingolsteller. transl., Sarah Findlater, 1858.
Christ's path was sad and lowly,. But yet thou, in tby pride,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/lowly.htm

The Meek and Lowly One
... The Meek and Lowly One. A Sermon (No.265). ... Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the meek and lowly one.htm

Lowly Praise.
... INTRODUCTION AND CLOSE OF WORSHIP. 39. " Lowly Praise. 39. 7s. M. Bowring.
Lowly Praise. 1 Lord, in heaven, thy dwelling-place ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/39 lowly praise.htm

Of Lowly Submission
... THE SECOND BOOK. ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE CHAPTER II Of lowly
submission. Make no great account who is for thee or against ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ii of lowly submission.htm

December the Twenty-Fourth Entering in at Lowly Doors
... DECEMBER The Twenty-fourth ENTERING IN AT LOWLY DOORS. "Unto us a Child
is born." "Isaiah 9:1-7. How gentle the coming! Who would ...
/.../december the twenty-fourth entering in.htm

PM Bowring. Prayer of a Lowly Spirit.
... SUPPLEMENT. 489. PM Bowring. Prayer of a Lowly Spirit. 1 From the recesses
of a lowly spirit, Our humble prayer ascends; O Father! ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/489 p m bowring prayer.htm

M. Bowring. Lowly Praise.
... I. PUBLIC WORSHIP. 54. 7s. M. Bowring. Lowly Praise. 1 Lord, in heaven, Thy
dwelling-place, Hear the praises of our race, And, while ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/54 7s m bowring lowly.htm

The Meek and Lowly.
... THE MINISTRY IN PEREA THE MEEK AND LOWLY. ... Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the meek and lowly.htm

The Lowly Handmaid of Christ Jesus to Ignatius, Her Beloved Fellow ...
... Reply of the Blessed Virgin to this Letter. The lowly handmaid of Christ
Jesus to Ignatius, her beloved fellow-disciple. The things ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the virgin mary/the lowly handmaid of christ.htm

While they were Thus Speaking, There came Another Lowly Man...
... Part II."The Descent of Christ into Hell. Greek Form. Chapter 10 (26). While
they were thus speaking, there came another lowly man? ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 10 26 while they.htm

Lowly (29 Occurrences)
...Lowly (29 Occurrences). Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. ...
/l/lowly.htm - 14k

Lowly-minded (1 Occurrence)
Lowly-minded. Lowly, Lowly-minded. Loyal . Multi-Version Concordance
Lowly-minded (1 Occurrence). 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion ...
/l/lowly-minded.htm - 6k

Base (127 Occurrences)
... shrubs. 2. (a.) Low in place or position. 3. (a.) of humble birth; or low
degree; lowly; mean. 4. (a.) Illegitimate by birth; bastard. ...
/b/base.htm - 45k

Low (216 Occurrences)
... And has exalted the lowly. ... 2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly,
God, comforted us by the coming of Titus; (Root in WEB ASV DBY). ...
/l/low.htm - 39k

Lowliness (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state or quality of being lowly; humility;
humbleness of mind. 2. (n.) Low condition, especially as to manner of life. ...
/l/lowliness.htm - 8k

Gentle (48 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle
and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. ...
/g/gentle.htm - 20k

Meekness (14 Occurrences)
... translated "poor" (Job 24:4, the Revised Version margin "meek"; Amos 8:4); "humble"
(Psalm 9:12, 18, the Revised Version margin "meek"); "lowly" (Proverbs 3:34 ...
/m/meekness.htm - 16k

Haughty (35 Occurrences)
... James 4:6 But He gives more abundant grace, as is implied in His saying, "God sets
Himself against the haughty, but to the lowly He gives grace." (WEY). ...
/h/haughty.htm - 16k

Loyal (15 Occurrences)

/l/loyal.htm - 11k

Poor (276 Occurrences)
... The words for "poor" are chiefly 'ebhyon, "desirous," "needy," "poor" (Exodus
23:6, etc.); dal, "moving," "swaying," hence, weak, poor, lowly (Exodus 23:3, etc ...
/p/poor.htm - 60k

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