Humility is Before Honor
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The concept of "humility before honor" is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of humility as a precursor to receiving honor. This principle is deeply rooted in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament and is echoed throughout the New Testament, reflecting a divine order in which humility is a prerequisite for true honor and exaltation.

Biblical References

The phrase "humility is before honor" is directly derived from Proverbs 15:33, which states, "The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor" (BSB). This verse highlights the relationship between the fear of the Lord, wisdom, and humility, suggesting that a reverent relationship with God fosters a humble spirit, which in turn leads to honor.

Similarly, Proverbs 18:12 declares, "Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor" (BSB). This verse contrasts pride and humility, warning that pride leads to downfall, while humility paves the way for honor. The juxtaposition of pride and humility serves as a moral lesson on the dangers of self-exaltation and the virtues of a humble heart.

Proverbs 22:4 further reinforces this theme: "The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life" (BSB). Here, humility is linked with the fear of the Lord as a source of divine blessing, including honor, suggesting that true honor is a gift from God bestowed upon those who walk humbly before Him.

New Testament Insights

The New Testament continues to uphold the principle that humility precedes honor. In the teachings of Jesus, humility is a central virtue. In Matthew 23:12, Jesus teaches, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (BSB). This statement underscores the divine reversal of human expectations, where self-exaltation leads to humbling, while genuine humility results in exaltation.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes humility as a key Christian virtue. In Philippians 2:3, he exhorts believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves" (BSB). Paul presents humility as essential to Christian conduct and community life, aligning with the example of Christ, who humbled Himself and was subsequently exalted by God (Philippians 2:5-11).

James 4:10 echoes this sentiment: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you" (BSB). This verse reiterates the promise that God honors those who humble themselves before Him, affirming the biblical principle that humility is the pathway to divine exaltation.

Theological Implications

The biblical teaching that humility precedes honor carries significant theological implications. It reflects the character of God, who opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Humility is not merely a social virtue but a spiritual posture that aligns believers with God's will and purposes. It acknowledges human dependence on God and the need for His grace and guidance.

In the biblical worldview, honor is not self-attained but is a divine bestowal. The path to honor involves a recognition of one's limitations and a submission to God's authority. This principle challenges worldly notions of honor based on power, status, or achievement, offering instead a vision of honor rooted in humility and service.

Practical Application

For believers, the call to humility is a call to emulate Christ, who exemplified perfect humility. It involves a daily commitment to self-denial, service to others, and a recognition of God's sovereignty. In practical terms, humility manifests in attitudes and actions that prioritize others, seek reconciliation, and foster community.

The biblical promise that humility leads to honor encourages believers to trust in God's timing and methods for exaltation. It assures them that true honor is found not in human accolades but in the approval and blessing of God, who lifts up the humble in due time.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Pride and Humility
... "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is
humility.""Proverbs 18:12. Almost every event has its prophetic prelude. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/pride and humility.htm

Pride and Humility
... REV. CH SPURGEON. At New Park Street Chapel, Southwark. "Before destruction the
heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.""Proverbs 18:12. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/pride and humility.htm

That in Adam's Sin an Evil Will Preceded the Evil Act.
... For that is true which is written, "Pride goeth before destruction, and before honor
is humility;" [734] that is to say, secret ruin precedes open ruin, while ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 13 that in adams sin.htm

Humility.
... least of all saints," and again, just before his death ... ourselves, and let God have
all the honor and glory ... amazed at the thought of how little humility is sought ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/humility.htm

Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.
... Thirdly, that we show them such honor also by works, that is ... poor, and all that not
only gladly, but with humility and reverence, as doing it before God ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt honor thy father.htm

Christ's Humility Our Salvation.
... God, the lowlier you will be; and equally before God and ... He understood, and he dared
to preach, humility to all ... wishes, and their will, and their honor to Christ ...
/.../murray/the masters indwelling/vii christs humility our salvation.htm

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ...
... If we should have no regard for our own honor and standing before the world ... us),
as we behold his unspeakable and incomprehensible humility which, rightly ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/third sunday after trinity humility.htm

Who is the Greatest?
... Before honor is humility. To fill a high place before men, Heaven chooses the worker
who, like John the Baptist, takes a lowly place before God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 48 who is the.htm

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity the Christian Calling and Unity.
... making them contribute to the honor and praise of ... These have been specially treated
before, in other ... Humility, for instance"mentioned in today's lesson"is ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/seventeenth sunday after trinity the.htm

Whether Humility is a virtue?
... for instance when man, "not understanding his honor, compares himself ... of Is.40:17,
"All nations are before Him as ... no being at all." In this way humility may be ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether humility is a virtue.htm

Resources
What was the significance of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about conceit / being conceited? | GotQuestions.org

Who was John the Apostle in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Humility: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Humility

Humility is Before Honor

Humility: A Characteristic of Saints

Humility: Abraham

Humility: Afflictions Intended to Produce

Humility: Ahab

Humility: Blessedness of

Humility: Centurion

Humility: Christ an Example of

Humility: Cornelius

Humility: David

Humility: Elihu

Humility: Elisabeth

Humility: Elizabeth

Humility: Excellency of

Humility: Exemplified

Humility: General Scriptures Concerning

Humility: Gideon

Humility: Hezekiah

Humility: Isaiah

Humility: Jacob

Humility: Jeremiah

Humility: Job

Humility: John

Humility: John the Baptist

Humility: Joseph

Humility: Joshua

Humility: Josiah

Humility: Leads to Riches, Honor, and Life

Humility: Manasseh

Humility: Mephibosheth

Humility: Moses

Humility: Necessary to the Service of God

Humility: Paul

Humility: Peter

Humility: Saints should be Clothed With

Humility: Saints should Beware of False

Humility: Saints should Put On

Humility: Saints should Walk With

Humility: Temporal Judgments Averted By

Humility: The Who Have are Greatest in Christ's Kingdom

Humility: The Who Have: Delivered by God

Humility: The Who Have: Enjoy the Presence of God

Humility: The Who Have: Exalted by God

Humility: The Who Have: Heard by God

Humility: The Who Have: Lifted up by God

Humility: The Who Have: Receive More Grace

Humility: The Who Have: Regarded by God

Humility: The Who Have: Upheld by Honor

Humility: Want of, Condemned

Humility: Woman of Canaan

The Humility of Christ: Declared by Himself

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Associating With the Despised

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Becoming a Servant

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Birth

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Death

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Entry Into Jerusalem

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Exposing Himself to Reproach and Contempt

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Obedience

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Partaking of Our Infirmities

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Poverty

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Refusing Honors

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Station in Life

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Subjection to his Parents

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Ordinances

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Submitting to Sufferings

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Taking Our Nature

The Humility of Christ: Exhibited in His: Washing his Disciples' Feet

The Humility of Christ: His Exaltation, the Result of

The Humility of Christ: On Account of, he Was Despised

The Humility of Christ: Saints should Imitate

Related Terms

Gentleness (17 Occurrences)

Feet (2931 Occurrences)

Washing (56 Occurrences)

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)

Down (12601 Occurrences)

Meekness (14 Occurrences)

Gentle (48 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Patience (59 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Humility (20 Occurrences)

False (303 Occurrences)

Simon (75 Occurrences)

Ones (687 Occurrences)

Handmaid (77 Occurrences)

Younger (39 Occurrences)

Victoriously (1 Occurrence)

Vain-glory (3 Occurrences)

Vainly (4 Occurrences)

Know (8133 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Natures (12 Occurrences)

Neglecting (6 Occurrences)

Upholdeth (8 Occurrences)

Unspiritual (6 Occurrences)

Urge (34 Occurrences)

Opposed (23 Occurrences)

Overflowing (54 Occurrences)

Opposes (7 Occurrences)

Jude (4 Occurrences)

Lowly (29 Occurrences)

Galilee (73 Occurrences)

Gird (44 Occurrences)

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)

Will-worship (1 Occurrence)

Implanted (3 Occurrences)

Idle (33 Occurrences)

Indulgence (3 Occurrences)

Filth (21 Occurrences)

Filthiness (16 Occurrences)

Feeling (59 Occurrences)

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Fleshly (15 Occurrences)

Factiousness (1 Occurrence)

Teaches (24 Occurrences)

Trials (11 Occurrences)

Treatment (6 Occurrences)

Temptations (9 Occurrences)

Timid (8 Occurrences)

Tolerance (2 Occurrences)

Tested (80 Occurrences)

Resist (23 Occurrences)

Resists (4 Occurrences)

Rob (27 Occurrences)

Restraining (9 Occurrences)

Rigor (8 Occurrences)

Resisteth (3 Occurrences)

Rivalry (8 Occurrences)

Exists (18 Occurrences)

Downwards (2 Occurrences)

Devotion (17 Occurrences)

Dog (19 Occurrences)

Detail (19 Occurrences)

Disqualify (1 Occurrence)

Doorkeeper (8 Occurrences)

Decrees (131 Occurrences)

Moral (5 Occurrences)

Modesty (4 Occurrences)

Malign (6 Occurrences)

Prostration

Puffed (13 Occurrences)

Promoting (2 Occurrences)

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

Plotting (13 Occurrences)

Predestination

Plots (20 Occurrences)

Prostrate (25 Occurrences)

Prize (13 Occurrences)

Humility in Worship
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