Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

TAPEINOPHROSUNE* - Part 2 - εχηγεομαι (Strong's #1834)
Humbleness, lowliness, humbleness of mind

Please note that all Biblical quotes are presented from the Literal Translation.

We are continuing our study of ταπεινοφροσὺνη (Strong's #5012), a word compounded from the adjective ταπεινὸς (Strong's #5011) describing a lowly or humble person, and the noun φρὴν (Strong's #5424) describing the faculty of perceiving and judging. Φρὴν is the root word for φρονὲω (Strong's #5426), which describes the thought patterns comprising a person's attitude or frame of mind. (See our four-part series on ταπεινὸς and our seven-part series on φρονὲω in the archives).

After submitting to the Lord's humbling process (first phase) and realizing that a believer must be humbled because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (second phase), we arrive at an understanding, from the teachings of Scripture, that the purpose of the entire humbling process is to shape and form a believer's mindset (frame of mind or attitude). This mindset then governs him in his approach to this earthly life (third phase). Our study word, ταπεινοφροσὺνη, represents this third phase in the process of humbleness. Paul taught that this resulting attitude of humble-mindedness is necessary for unity to be made manifest and experienced among believers. This is what we will look today. Our study is taken from Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:1-3

1)

Therefore I encourage you, I the prisoner in the Lord, that you should walk worthily^F1 of the calling of which you were called,

Paul's letter to the Christians in Ephesus deals with the position of the believer in Christ. He says that the believer is always in Christ in the spirit realm, positioned in Him above all spiritual forces, regardless of physical circumstances. In chapter 4 of Ephesians, Paul focuses on the walk that every believer is to have as a result of this fixed position in Christ. He begins with a commendation (verse 1). The Greek text literally reads, "I encourage you to walk worthily..." The infinitive, "to walk," designates the purpose for which Paul is encouraging them. They are being encouraged to walk worthily "of the calling of which you were called," The adverb translated "worthily" is the Greek word ἀξὶως. (Strong's #516) ̓Αξὶως literally represents the "balancing of the scales" at the market place (TDNT; 1:379) and pertains to something being equal to another. Thus, Paul is saying that the walk of the believer must be balanced or equal to the calling of which he is called. In verses 2,3, Paul lists the five characteristics describing the worthy walk believers are to have.

2)

with all humble mindedness (ταπεινοφροσὺνη) and meekness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

The first three characteristics of the worthy walk are expressed by two prepositional phrases. Both prepositional phrases begin with μετὰ (Strong's #3326), a preposition indicating something that is to "accompany" the worthy walk.

The first prepositional phrase is, "with all humble mindedness (ταπεινοφροσὺνη) and meekness." The word for "humble mindedness" is our word of study, ταπεινοφροσὺνη. The word for meekness is πραύ̈της (Strong's #4240), which carries with it the idea of "openness" or "receptivity." Paul is saying that a believer's walk is to be accompanied by a humble frame of mind, which has been developed through submission to God's humbling process, and by an openness and receptivity to others.

The second prepositional phrase is "with longsuffering." Again, the preposition designates that this is to "accompany" the worthy walk. The Greek word translated "longsuffering" is μακροθυμὶα (Strong's #3115). This word is used for patience exhibited with people. It literally means, "to be slow in human reaction towards someone." (The Greek word for patience in circumstances is ὑπομονὴ (Strong's #5281) and literally means, "to remain under.")

Paul uses these first two prepositional phrases to teach what comprises the worthy walk of a believer. They are to walk with a frame of mind that is lowly in thought, identifying and choosing the low or humble road. This humble-mindedness is to be coupled with receptivity and patience toward others.

This verse ends with a present participial phrase, "bearing with one another in love," that gives us the fourth characteristic of the worthy walk. This participle indicates a continuous action or lifestyle. The Greek word for "bearing with" is ἀνὲχομαι (Strong's #430). It literally means "to hold up" and denotes both "support for" and "tolerance."

The fifth attribute characterizing a believer's worthy walk is found in verse 3. This is, again, a present participial phrase indicating a continuous action or lifestyle:

3)

being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

"Being diligent" is the translation of the Greek word σπουδὰζω (Strong's #4704) and denotes fervency to make something a priority. The priority that believers are to have fervency for is "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Paul emphasizes the importance of the characteristics of a walk that measures up to the calling of which the believer is called. Paul teaches, in chapters 1-3, that all believers are "in Christ." Establishing this truth also establishes the fact that all believers are already in spiritual unity with one another because of this union with the Lord. Paul, desiring that this unity be manifested and experienced within the Body of Christ, encourages every believer to have a mature, responsible walk as opposed to one that is fleshly. He says that a worthy walk is to be accompanied by a frame of mind that has been trained by God's humbling process to think lowly thoughts with a lowly approach to this earthly life. This lowly mindedness is to be coupled with an openness and receptivity to others. The believer is also to exhibit control over his human reaction to others (patience) so that all in the fellowship of believers may experience the presence and ministry of the Spirit of the Lord. These characteristics are to exist as the believer supports and tolerates others, even as his desire and top priority is "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

The characteristics of the worthy walk emphasize that we Christians must sacrifice ourselves for the good of the Body of Christ. We must take the lowly approach instead of striving for things that promote self. We must be open to others in the Body instead of being closed-minded. We must be slow in our human reaction toward others, so that all believers might receive the Spirit of God through us, instead of receiving an attack from our flesh. We must be tolerant of others, even supporting them, though they are immature and weak. Through all of this, we fervently keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, the unity that exists among us in the Spirit of God, the unity that binds us together. When we walk in this way, our existing spiritual unity will not be hindered from being manifested and experienced within the earthly realm.

Paul is presenting these details of Christian fellowship in order to highlight that fellowship among believers already exists in Christ, in the spirit realm; but that the responsibility for its manifestation and experience, in this earthly realm, requires maturity and self-sacrifice on the part of each Christian. This maturity can only be attained by submitting to the Lord and the circumstances through which He leads us, so that we become "humble" servants of the Lord.

Next week we will conclude our study as we explore Paul's teaching on the important role that humble mindedness serves in Christian fellowship from Philippians 2:3.

* TAPEINOPHROSUNE is the English font spelling of the Greek word ταπεινοφροσὺνη.

Technical Notes:

F1: The infinitive of purpose περιπατῆσαι, "to walk," is translated by νὰ͂περιπατῆσητε, "that you should walk."

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