Now, giving great grace also the scriptures say God is against appointing the proud, yea, he gives grace to the humble. Therefore place yourselves under the one God, stand against the devil and he flees from you. Come near to God also he comes near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinner, and purify your hearts you double-minded.*
God is against appointing the proud. This the word for “against appointing” is ἀντιτάσσω (antitassō) and is usually translated as opposed, it is from anti and tasso. Anti– Christ means against, opposite, instead of. Tasso means to arrange, appoint, place, ordain. God is against ordaining the proud. So He gives grace to the humble therefore grace and humility is a characteristic of those appointed, ordained by God. A sign of a proud heart is one who lords, one who places himself in the authority and the position of Christ. Jesus said do not lord over as the rulers of the world, but the greatest in the kingdom of God is a servant of all.*
To the elders… shepherd the flock among you, watching over them, not as a constraint but voluntarily according to God, not for shameful gain but willingly. Not lording over those entrusted, but becoming examples to the flock.*
We see that God ordains the humble, this is the way God teaches submission, therefore, it would be taught the same to the flock. Peter goes on to writes by this example of humility the younger, under appointed themselves to the elders. “Now, all you clothe yourselves with humility to one another for God is against appointing the proud, now, gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and he will exalt you in time.”* Is all authority ordained by God? Was Hitler ordained by God? Do you submit to all authority? If you see by example their submission to Christ then submit as to the Lord. How can you tell? humility, God is against appointing the proud, so if they are humble did God appoint them? if they despise grace did God appoint them?
Knowing that the leaders of the nations lord over them, and their leaders exercise authority over them. Existing not so among you but whoever will become great among you exists your servant.*
How can one be a servant of all and a lord at the same time? The example Christ gave was that he was the So of God, but he humbled himself and became a servant, even to the point of death on a cross. So why do men in his name lord over others demanding obedience and submissions? either because they seek their own selfish gain thus. control and manipulate men. Or maybe do not understand what it means to be placed under, to submit, to be an example to the flock.
I tell you the truth, in so far as you did it unto the least of these my brothers you did not to me.*
If I say I have placed myself under submission to Christ then how I treat his brethren is a reflection of whether I am or not truly submitted. I can say I love the world but it is how I love his brothers that is the sign of submission to him. How can I lord over His brothers if he is Lord? how can I demand authority when He is the Head? Humility, grace, a servant of all, such are characteristics that I should possess if I am appointed and ordained by God.
… God is against appointing the proud, yea, he gives grace to the humble. Therefore place yourselves under the one God…*
What does it mean to submit? we know God is anti-tasso, or against appointing the proud. Surely, the world and the devil would appoint such people but not God. The word for “place yourselves under” is usually translated as submit, it is ὑποτάσσω (hypotassō, from hypó, “under” and tássō, “appoint, arrange.”) God appoints the humble, and we must arrange or humbly submit ourselves to God. The word tássō was primarily a military term meaning to arrange in place thus some take it to mean orderly as in obedience, as a good soldier submits to authority.
… just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also exist a man under power, having soldiers under me and I say to this one go and he goes, to this one come and he comes and to mine do this and he does it. And when Jesus heard this he was amazed and said, to those following, I tell you the truth, I have not found faith like this, not one among Isreal.*
Why did the Centurian have great faith? was it because he submitted to authority? or because he was obedient? the Centurian believed so much in the authority and power of Jesus that he said: “just say the word and my servant will be healed.” This is as Jesus said, one must believe he came from heaven. Other scriptures put emphasis on this; believe that he came in the flesh, he is the son of God, he is Lord, King, Messiah, the Holy One from God… one must believe this. The Centurian surely believed in Jesus and that had the authority and power to heal. We see in this story the Centurian was a servant, he says he serves those above him and has those who serve him. And what great love does he display that he would go to so much trouble for those who serve him? Certainly, we see faith energized in love.
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and he will lift you up.*
If you are being submissive to those above you in authority just so that possibly you might be promoted then what does that say about your mindset? I have come to believe that these scriptures give us insight into how we are to grow in maturity. These scriptures are about our maturing in Christ. If we are of the mindset of submission to the authority of men so that we might be promoted then we are no better off than the disciples on the road with Jesus arguing about who would be in charge. This word for humility means lowly or humble; being God-reliant rather than self-reliant – which ironically always exalts others. True humility and service will always exalt others, it doesn’t lord over others, but by example, it is a servant of all, the greatest serve even the least of these his brothers. This humility reflects true submission to the Lord.