What does it mean to clothe yourself with humility (1 Peter 5:5)?

Answer

In 1 Peter 5:5, the apostle writes, “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’” (ESV). The Greek word translated as “clothe” means “to tie round in a knot.” In other words, believers should fasten and gird themselves with humility toward one another. Humble service to one another does not imply inferiority to our brothers and sisters in Christ; instead, it demonstrates our willingness to prioritize their needs over our own (see Philippians 2:4).

To support his argument for why we should serve one another in humility, Peter states, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” The concept is straightforward: God’s grace is bestowed upon those who humble themselves before Him. This truth is also articulated in Proverbs 3:34, albeit in a more direct manner: “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor” (ESV).

In Luke 1:46–56, also referred to as “The Magnificat,” Mary praises the Lord for exalting the humble and humbling the proud:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever (ESV).