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Matthew 5:3
Blessedare the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:4
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Job 22:29
Whenmen are cast down, then thou shalt say,There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

will be humbled
The promise of being humbled serves as a divine principle of justice. In the biblical context, God actively opposes the proud (James 4:6) and brings them low. This humbling can occur through various means, including personal failure, public disgrace, or divine intervention. The historical context of Israel includes numerous examples where God humbled nations and leaders who exalted themselves, such as Pharaoh in the Exodus narrative. This principle underscores the biblical theme that God is sovereign and will not tolerate human arrogance.

and whoever humbles himself
Humility is a central virtue in biblical teaching, often associated with wisdom and righteousness. In the cultural setting of Jesus' time, humility was not always valued, as honor and status were highly sought after. However, Jesus redefined greatness as servanthood (Matthew 20:26-28). The act of humbling oneself is a voluntary submission to God's will and an acknowledgment of one's dependence on Him. This is exemplified in the life of Jesus, who, though divine, took on human form and served others (Philippians 2:5-8).

will be exalted
Exaltation is presented as a divine reward for humility. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in1 Peter 5:6, which encourages believers to humble themselves under God's mighty hand so that He may lift them up in due time. The exaltation may occur in this life or the next, as God honors those who honor Him. The ultimate example of this is Jesus Christ, who, after humbling Himself through death on the cross, was exalted by God to the highest place (Philippians 2:9-11). This promise of exaltation provides hope and encouragement for believers to pursue humility, trusting in God's justice and timing.

– Jesus speaks these words right after condemning the religious leaders for loving “the place of honor” (Matthew 23:6). Their self-promotion is the backdrop of the warning.

– Exalting oneself is more than confidence; it is pride that pushes God aside and seeks applause.Proverbs 16:18 reminds us, “Pride goes before destruction.”

– InLuke 18:11-12 the Pharisee rattles off his virtues; his prayer rises no higher than the ceiling.

–James 4:6 echoes Jesus: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” The moment I lift myself up, I invite God’s resistance.

– “Humbled” is not a gentle tap on the shoulder; it is God bringing the proud low. This can happen through:

• Public exposure of hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27-28)

• Personal loss that shows how fragile worldly status is (Daniel 4:30-37, Nebuchadnezzar’s fall)

• Ultimate judgment when “every proud heart is brought low” (Isaiah 2:11)

– Whether in this life or the next, God guarantees the proud will one day bow (Philippians 2:10).

– Humility is a choice: “whoever humbles himself.” God never forces it; He invites it.

– Practical expressions:

• Serving without seeking credit (Matthew 20:26-28)

• Confessing sin quickly (1 John 1:9)

• Submitting to rightful authority (1 Peter 5:5)

• Valuing others above oneself (Philippians 2:3-4)

–Isaiah 57:15 shows God dwelling “with the contrite and humble in spirit,” underscoring that humility brings intimate fellowship with Him.

– God’s exaltation often begins inwardly—peace, joy, assurance—before any outward honor appears.

– In due time He may lift the humble through:

• Greater spiritual influence (James 4:10)

• Visible leadership birthed in servanthood (Genesis 41, Joseph’s promotion)

• Eternal glory: “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).

– The pattern mirrors Christ: He “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death… Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place” (Philippians 2:8-9). Believers walk the same road.

Matthew 23:12 lays out an unbreakable principle: pride triggers God’s downfall, while humility positions a person for His uplift. The kingdom is an upside-down economy—those who push themselves forward lose ground; those who bow low are raised by God’s own hand. Choosing humility aligns us with the heart of Christ and secures the honor He alone can give, both now and forever.