This week, Andrew Taylor-Troutman reflects on words that guide people of faith. Find his blog series here.
Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and God will lift you up. A parishioner used James 4:10 as her daily mantra. Only she pronounced the first word as “umble” making the h silent as in “honor.” I have found this pronunciation common among older generations here in the South.
But “umble” meant something different in the Middle Ages. The term referred to the edible inner organs of animals, like the liver and kidneys. These portions were less desirable and therefore primarily eaten by peasants. “Umble pie” originally meant cheap food instead of a humiliating experience.
However it is pronounced in English, the Greek word found in James 4:10 is tapeinothete. This verb means to be made low. In documents predating the New Testament, it could refer to members of a lower economic class. But the word often meant lower standards, even evil actions.
Though tapeinothete was often a derogatory label, the word was turned on its head by applying it to Jesus. The Apostle Paul understood Jesus as humbling or lowering himself for the sake of humankind, then being exalted or raised up by God (see Philippians 2:5-11). Therefore, his followers should have the same mind as Christ as follow his model of humility (Philippians 2:2–3). This theology of humility echoes James 4:10.
Yet there are dangerous misinterpretations of this Christian ethic of lowering oneself.
C.S. Lewis’ novel “The Screwtape Letters” is written from the perspective of a senior demon of hell counseling his young nephew and protégé to guide “the patient” (a human being) toward “Our Father Below” (Satan) and away from “The Enemy” (Jesus). One of the demonic strategies is to make someone proud of his or her own humility. False humility is actually a kind of boasting— a way of making yourself look better in the eyes of others. To paraphrase preacher Frederick Buechner, it is like a skillful bridge player protesting that she is “just getting lucky” when winning every hand.
On the other hand, I know an 8-year-old parishioner who is about to be baptized. This second-grader is the type of student who quietly does what she is told. She is observant, thoughtful and kind. You might even say “umble.” But I fear that instructing her to be humble might discourage her from showcasing her skills and talents.
A few months ago, this child successfully completed her swim lessons. And she was so proud that she designed flyers marketing herself as a swim instructor. She had three rules:
- Have fun.
- Relax.
- Don’t say, “I can’t.”
I thought of another verse in Philippians: I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
Thinking of the waters of baptism, your best self is found by receiving grace, which then empowers you to serve, teach and love others. Living into that knowledge with boldness still means that you can be humble (no matter how it is pronounced).
ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN is the pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of “Gently Between the Words: Essays and Poems.” He and his wife, who is also a pastor, are rattled and blessed by parenting three young children.
