Harmonious Humility

The key to understanding the Bible is reading things in context; words should be read within verses, verses within chapters, chapters within books etc. To see why Paul felt the need to exhort the Corinthians not to be arrogant, we must look back across his letter and what was happening in the church.

In chapter 4, Paul expressed his concern that some of the Christians in Corinth were “puffed up in favour of one against another” (1 Corinthians 4:6). Groups within the church were ranking their preachers, setting themselves up as superior depending on who they followed. Some preferred Paul, some proclaimed their allegiance to Simon Peter, and others were most impressed by Apollos (1:12). Paul challenged this way of thinking, saying all preachers are just “servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.” (3:4)

Sinclair writes, “Isn’t there something immature about ranking [preachers]—or for that matter doing the same thing with other members of the church because of the gifts God has given them? God measures us by how much we grow in grace, not by the position we occupy because of our gifts.” The arrogance of the Corinthians was a heart issue; they were forgetting that all gifts were given by the same Jesus, brought by the same Holy Spirit, coming from the same God.

How can we be delivered from being “puffed up” against each other? How do we ensure we are not overestimating our own importance and demeaning others? The most powerful solution is recognising that all gifts come from Jesus, and seeing his incarnation as the beautiful harmony of giftedness and humility. Jesus’ life was one of glory exchanged for poverty for our sake: he became poor so that we might become rich. If we understand these things, there will be no room in our hearts for arrogance, because they will be full of love.

Today, reflect on the gifts you have been given by Jesus, and on what he gave up on your behalf. How will these truths motivate you to love others humbly? Praise Jesus for his willingness to humble himself for you, and pray for opportunities to do the same for others.

Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair B. Ferguson (published by The Good Book Company) available to buy at Eden Christian Bookstore or Amazon.