Word studies · Greek · Strong's G5011
ταπεινός · tapeinós · appears 8 times in the New Testament
In one line: A modest, low view of self that makes room to serve others.
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:5
Humility is a lowly, modest posture — the opposite of pride — willingly setting aside status to serve or depend on God.
Tapeinos describes someone low in circumstance or, positively, humble in disposition — not thinking too highly of oneself. Scripture consistently commends this posture, in contrast to pride, as the disposition God favors and exalts in due time.
Tapeinos originally carried a mostly negative sense in Greek culture — describing someone lowly, base, or weak, often with a hint of shame. New Testament writers strikingly reverse this connotation, presenting lowliness before God as a virtue rather than a disgrace.
Because the wider Greco-Roman world saw tapeinos almost entirely negatively — servility unworthy of a free, honorable person — the New Testament's positive use of humility as a Christian virtue was culturally countercultural, modeled supremely in Christ's own self-lowering.
Tapeinos (G5011) and its related noun tapeinophrosynē (“humility”) were rare as commendable virtues in classical Greek ethics before Christian writers elevated them.
Humility marks the pattern of Christ, who though divine “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,” and Scripture consistently promises that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Practice humility by genuinely valuing others' needs alongside your own, and by depending on God rather than your own strength. Look for one opportunity today to serve without needing credit.
depressed, i.e. (figuratively) humiliated (in circumstances or disposition)
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.
Matthew 11:29He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
Luke 1:52Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:16But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
2 Corinthians 7:6The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.
James 1:9Press and hold humility in any chapter and this study opens on the verse you are reading, with the lexicons, every occurrence and the commentaries beside it. The Bible is free to read.
Scripture quoted from the Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Strong's definitions are public domain. Counts come from The Pillar's own tagged text.