Early Christian Views on Pride and Humility

Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians Direct teaching

...who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who “raised Him from the dead.” Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, and rulers, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that you may be perfect in Him.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

...placed in the exalted position of every grace that can be received, we should not be lifted up with pride either by trusting in works of righteousness or by being adorned with super-eminent gifts of service, nor should we test God, but should feel humility in all things, and remember the saying, "You shall not test your God." As the apostle also taught, saying, "Do not concern yourselves with high things, but be content with lowly things," we should not be ensnared by riches, worldly glory, or present desires, but should understand that we must "worship your God, and serve Him alone," and ignore him who falsely promises things not his own, when he says, "All these will I give you, if, falling down, you will worship me." For he himself admits that to adore him and do his will is to fall from the glory of God. And in what thing either pleasant or good can that person who has fallen take part in? Or what else can such a person hope for or expect, except death? For death is the closest companion to him who has fallen. Hence it follows that he will not give what he has promised. For how can he make grants to him who has fallen? Moreover, since God rules over men and him too, and with

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...and give that amount to a widow, or an orphan, or to some person in need. In this way you will show humility, so that the one who has received help from your humility may refresh his own soul and pray to the Lord for you. If you keep the fast as I have commanded you, your sacrifice will be acceptable to God, and this fast will be recorded. And the service performed in this way is noble and holy and acceptable to the Lord. Therefore, you must keep these things in this way with your children and all your household. And by keeping them you will be blessed. And as many as hear these words and keep them will be blessed. And whatever they ask of the Lord, they will receive."

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

That this, however, may be accepted by God, there is need of humility, and fear, and devotion in the greatest degree, lest any one should chance to place confidence in his integrity and innocence, and thus incur the charge of pride and arrogance, and by this deed lose the recompense of his virtue.

James 4:10 Direct teaching

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Malchion, Epistle Against Paul of Samosata Direct teaching

...ks that gain is godliness, 1 Timothy 6:5. Neither do I need to say anything about his pride and the arrogance with which he took on worldly honors, and how he wanted to be called procurator rather than bishop. Nor need I speak of his strutting through the marketplaces, reading letters and reciting them as he walked in public, and being escorted by crowds of people going before him and following after him. In this way he brought ill will and hatred on the faith by his proud behavior and the arrogance of his heart. Nor will I say anything about the showmanship he practices in the church assemblies, as he seeks popularity and puts on a great display, astonishing the minds of the less educated by such tricks. Nor will I speak of his setting up for himself a high judgment seat and throne, very unlike a disciple of Christ; nor of his having a secret chamber and calling it by that name, after the manner of the rulers of this world; nor of his striking his thigh with his hand and beating the platform with his feet; nor of his rebuking and insulting those who did not applaud him, or wave their handkerchiefs as is done in the theaters, or shout and jump about like his supporters, both men

Hippolytus, Against the Heresy of Noetus Direct teaching

...s, who was from Smyrna and lived not very long ago. This man was greatly puffed up and swollen with pride, driven by the arrogance of a strange spirit. He claimed that Christ was the Father Himself, and that the Father Himself was born, suffered, and died. You can see what pride of heart and what a strange, swollen spirit had worked its way into him. From his other actions, we already have proof that he did not speak with a pure spirit. For the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit is cast out from the holy inheritance. He claimed that he himself was Moses, and that Aaron was his brother. When the blessed presbyters heard this, they called him before the Church and questioned him. But at first he denied that he held such views. Afterwards, however, taking refuge with some people, and gathering around him others who had accepted the same error, he then wanted to defend his teaching openly as true. And the blessed presbyters called him before them again and questioned him. But he resisted them, saying, "Then what evil am I doing by glorifying Christ?" And the presbyters answered him, "We too truly know one God. We know Christ. We know that the Son suffered just as He suffered

Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Direct teaching

...mind of anyone else under the sun. Oh, the impious arrogance! Oh, the immeasurable madness! Oh, the vainglory fitting for those who are crazed! Oh, the pride of Satan that has taken root in their unholy souls! The religious clarity of the ancient Scriptures caused them no shame, nor did the agreeing doctrine of our colleagues concerning Christ hold back their audacity against Him. Their impiety not even the demons will bear, who are always watching for a blasphemous word spoken against the Son.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

For if he is wise who is lowly and meek — but we do not see that philosophers are either lowly or meek, but greatly pleasing themselves, and, for the very reason that they please themselves, displeasing God — it is evident that the patience is not real among them where there is the insolent audacity of an affected liberty, and the immodest boastfulness of an exposed and half-naked bosom.

Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Background

O, pride of vain-toiling soul, and incredible belief, that Ptolemy should be considered pre-eminently wise among those who have cultivated similar wisdom!

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Direct teaching

For while, as just men and upholders of righteousness, you should have subdued pride and arrogance, by the evils of which we are all uplifted and puffed up with empty vanity;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...le-heartedness, deceit, pride, malice, insolence, covetousness, obscene talk, jealousy, confidence, haughtiness, arrogance, impudence, persecution of the good, hatred of the truth, love of lies, and ignorance of righteousness. For those who do such things do not hold fast to goodness or to righteous judgment. They do not watch for good, but for evil. Meekness and patience are far from them. They love vain things and chase after reward. They have no pity on the poor. They do not labor for him who is in misery, nor do they know Him who made them. They are murderers of infants and destroyers of the workmanship of God. They turn away from the needy, adding affliction to the afflicted. They flatter the rich, despise the poor, and are full of sin. May you, children, be delivered from all these things.

Wisdom of Sirach 10:7 Supporting witness

Pride is hateful before God and man: And by both doth one commit iniquity.

Daniel 11:2 Supporting witness

Wherever pride enters, there will be also disgrace: But the mouth of the lowly meditates wisdom.

Wisdom of Sirach 10:13 Supporting witness

For pride is the beginning of sin, And he that hath it shall pour out abomination: And therefore the Lord brought upon them strange calamities, And overthrew them utterly.

1 Peter 5:5 Direct teaching

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 Direct teaching

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Luke 14:11 Direct teaching

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Matthew 23:12 Direct teaching

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Philippians 2:3 Direct teaching

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Proverbs 29:23 Background

A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.

Proverbs 18:12 Background

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Proverbs 15:33 Background

The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

Proverbs 11:2 Background

When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18 Background

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 3:34 Background

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Luke 18:14 Background

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

Moreover, what swelling arrogance this is. What forgetfulness of humility and gentleness. What boasting in his own pride. A person dares, or thinks he is able, to do what the Lord did not even allow the apostles to do. He thinks he can tell the tares from the wheat. Or, as if it had been given to him to carry the winnowing fan and clean the threshing floor, he tries to separate the chaff from the wheat. And since the apostle says, "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth," 2 Timothy 2:20, he thinks he can choose the vessels of gold and silver, and despise, cast out, and condemn the vessels of wood and clay. But the vessels of wood are not burned up except on the day of the Lord, by the flame of divine burning. And the vessels of clay are broken only by Him to whom the rod of iron is given.

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...of his audacity, acknowledge the honor of the priest, and satisfy the bishop set over him with full humility. For these things are the beginnings of heretics, and the origins and efforts of evil-minded schismatics: to please themselves, and with swollen pride to despise the one set over them. In this way they depart from the Church. In this way a profane altar is set up outside. In this way they rebel against the peace of Christ, and against the appointment and unity of God. But if he also troubles and provokes you with his insults, you must use the authority of your office against him, either by removing him or by excommunicating him. For if the Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, said, "Let no man despise your youth," 1 Timothy 4:12, how much more should your fellow bishops say to you, "Let no man despise your age"? And since you have written that someone has joined himself to that same deacon of yours, and shares in his pride and boldness, you may either restrain or excommunicate him also, and any others who may appear to be of the same kind and act against God's priest. Unless, as we exhort and advise, they should instead see that they have sinned, make satisfaction, and allow

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Direct teaching

... sacred ministry. Therefore, let them rather take heed to pass their life in humility, ceasing from vainglory. For communion is sufficient for them. It is granted to them with diligence and care for two causes: both that they should not seem to be afflicted with sorrow, and so by violence seize on their departure from this world; and also lest any of the lapsed should have a pretext for being remiss because of the punishment. And these indeed will reap more shame and ignominy than all others, like the man who laid the foundation and was not able to finish it. For, He says, "all that pass by will begin to mock him, saying, 'This man laid the foundation, and was not able to finish it.'"

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

...ce. Therefore let them rather take care to perfect their confession by humility, and cease from the vainglory of seeking the sacred ministry. Communion with the faithful is sufficient for them. It is granted for two reasons, with diligent caution and just judgment. For if we say that we will not hold them to be communicants, we shall both afflict them with grief, giving our judgment as if they should depart this life with violence; and we shall also cause others, who may have lapsed and wish to return to what is right, to be negligent and remiss in this matter. For they would have as a pretext that they will not be admitted to communicate with the faithful, even though after their fall they should confess the faith. If they are not converted, they will undergo more shame and ignominy than others, like the man who laid the foundation and did not finish the building. Those who, for Christ's sake, have offered themselves to be tormented resemble such a man. They have, as it were, laid a good foundation, but because of their fall they have not been able to perfect what is good. Observe, then, that not even confession for Christ's sake restores the one who has once lapsed and thus be

Ignatius of Antioch, Connection to 1 Peter 5:5 Direct teaching

He, therefore, that does not assemble with the Church, has even by this manifested his pride, and condemned himself. For it is written, "God resisteth the proud." Let us be careful, then, not to set ourselves in opposition to the bishop, in order that we may be subject to God.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Trallians (LongVersion) Direct teaching

...her of him who destroys himself." If, therefore, you also put away conceit, arrogance, disdain, and haughtiness, it will be your privilege to be inseparably united to God, for "He is near to those who fear Him." And He says, "Upon whom will I look, but upon him who is humble and quiet and trembles at my words?" Also, you should reverence your bishop as Christ Himself, according to the instructions of the blessed apostles. He who is within the altar is pure; therefore, he is obedient to the bishop and presbyters. But he who is outside does anything apart from the bishop, the presbyters, and the deacons, such a person is defiled in his conscience and is worse than an infidel. For what is the bishop but one who possesses all power and authority beyond all others, as far as a man can possess it, who, according to his ability, has been made an imitator of the Christ of God? And what is the presbytery but a sacred assembly, the counselors and advisers of the bishop? And what are the deacons but imitators of the angelic powers, fulfilling a pure and blameless ministry unto him, as the holy Stephen did to the blessed James, Timothy and Linus to Paul, Anencletus and Clement to Peter? He,

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

Moreover, you were all distinguished by humility and were in no way puffed up with pride, but chose to obey rather than force others to obey, and were more willing to give than to receive. Content with the provision God had made for you, and carefully attending to His words, you were inwardly filled with His doctrine, and His sufferings were before your eyes. Thus, a profound and abundant peace was given to you all, and you had an insatiable desire for doing good, while a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon you all. Full of holy designs, you did, with true earnestness of mind and a godly confidence, stretch forth your hands to God Almighty, beseeching Him to be merciful unto you, if you had been guilty of any involuntary transgression. Day and night you were anxious for the whole brotherhood, that the number of God’s elect might be saved with mercy and a good conscience. You were sincere and uncorrupted, and forgetful of injuries between one another. Every kind of faction and schism was abominable in your sight. You mourned over the transgressions of your neighbors: their deficiencies you considered your own. You never grudged any act of kindness, being “ready to every good

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

...ith all drunkenness, seeking after change, all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride. “For God,” says [the Scripture], “resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Let us cleave, then, to those to whom grace has been given by God. Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words. For [the Scripture] says, “He that speaks much, shall also hear much in answer. And does he that is ready in speech deem himself righteous? Blessed is he that is born of woman, who lives but a short time: be not given to much speaking.” Let our praise be in God, and not of ourselves; for God hates those that commend themselves. Let testimony to our good deeds be borne by others, as it was in the case of our righteous forefathers. Boldness, arrogance, and audacity belong to those that are accursed by God; but moderation, humility, and meekness to such as are blessed by Him.

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

...ighteousness”), being especially mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus which He spoke, teaching us meekness and patience. For He said: “Be merciful, so you may receive mercy; forgive, so it may be forgiven to you; as you do, so it will be done to you; as you judge, so you will be judged; as you are kind, so kindness will be shown to you; with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” By this principle and these rules let us establish ourselves, so that we walk with all humility in obedience to His holy words. For the holy word says, “On whom shall I look, but on the one who is meek and peaceful and who trembles at My words?”

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

... it is man's duty not to tempt God, and regarding Himself, declared He would not tempt His God. The pride in the serpent was nullified by the humility in Christ, and the devil was conquered twice by Scripture when he was exposed as suggesting things against God's commandment, proving himself the enemy of God. Having been defeated, he gathered all his power for falsehood and showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, saying, as Luke relates, “All these I will give you, for they have been delivered to me, and to whom I will, I give them, if you will worship me.” The Lord, exposing him, said, “Depart, Satan; for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.” By revealing his true name, He showed who He was. The Hebrew word "Satan" means an apostate. Thus, defeating him for the third time, He rejected him as being defeated by the law; and that violation of God’s commandment that happened in Adam was undone by the precept of the law, which the Son of Man observed, without transgressing God’s commandment.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

...t no one perish because of the example of a confessor. Let no one learn injustice, let no one learn arrogance, let no one learn treachery, from the behavior of a confessor. He is a confessor; let him be humble and quiet. Let him be modest and disciplined in what he does, so that he who is called a confessor of Christ may imitate the Christ whom he confesses. For since He says, "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted," Luke 18:14, and since He Himself was exalted by the Father because, as the Word, and the strength, and the wisdom of God the Father, He humbled Himself on earth, how can He love arrogance, when by His own law He commanded humility to us, and He Himself received the highest name from the Father as the reward of His humility? He is a confessor of Christ, but only if the majesty and dignity of Christ are not afterward blasphemed by him. Let not the tongue that has confessed Christ speak evil. Let it not be turbulent. Let it not be heard clashing with reproaches and quarrels. Let it not, after words of praise, send out the poison of serpents against the brothers and God's priests. But if anyone afterward is blameworthy and

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...leansed the leper, He said to him, "Go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift." With that humility by which He also taught us to be humble, He still called him a priest, though He knew him to be sacrilegious. Also, under the very pain of His passion, when He had received a blow and it was said to Him, "Do you answer the high priest like this?" He said nothing insulting against the person of the high priest, but instead maintained His own innocence, saying, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if I have spoken well, why do you strike Me?" John 18:23. Therefore, He did all these things humbly and patiently, so that we might have an example of humility and patience. For He taught that true priests must rightly and fully be honored, by showing Himself to be such as He was in relation to false priests.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

His humility gave them the boldness to do this. For they read that the Son of God would come down from heaven with great power and glory. But when they saw Jesus humble, peaceful, lowly, and without beauty, they did not believe that He was the Son of God. They did not know that the prophets had foretold two comings of His: the first hidden in the humility of the flesh, and the other openly revealed in the power of His majesty. David speaks of the first in Psalm 72: "He shall come down like rain upon a fleece; and in His days righteousness shall spring forth, and abundance of peace, as long as the moon is lifted up." For just as rain, if it falls on a fleece, cannot be noticed because it makes no sound, so he said that Christ would come to the earth without drawing anyone's notice, so that He might teach righteousness and peace. Isaiah also spoke in this way, in Isaiah 53:1-6: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We made proclamation before Him as children, and as a root in a thirsty land. He has no form nor glory; and we saw Him, and He had no form nor beauty. But His form was without honor, and marred beyond the rest of men. He is a man

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

...elonging to Christ, they also foretold the same number of advents. One, and the first, was to be in lowliness. In it, He had to be led like a sheep to be slain as a victim, and to be like a lamb silent before the shearer, not opening His mouth, and not fair to look upon. For, says the prophet, "We have announced concerning Him: He is like a tender plant, like a root out of thirsty ground. He has no form nor comeliness. And we beheld Him, and He was without beauty. His form was disfigured, marred more than the sons of men, a man stricken with sorrows, and knowing how to bear our infirmity." He was placed by the Father as "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense," Isaiah 8:14, made by Him "a little lower than the angels," and declaring Himself to be "a worm and not a man, a reproach of men, and despised by the people." Now these signs of degradation fit His first coming well, just as the tokens of His majesty fit His second advent. Then He will no longer remain a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. Instead, after His rejection, He will become the chief corner-stone, accepted and raised to the highest place of the temple, that is, His church. He is that very stone in Danie

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

Him does He enjoin us to worship in humility, as the lifter-up of the humble, not in pride, because He brings down the proud.