The term "lowly-minded" refers to a disposition characterized by humility, modesty, and a lack of arrogance or pride. In the biblical context, being lowly-minded is often associated with a heart that is submissive to God and open to His guidance. This quality is highly esteemed in Scripture, as it reflects a spirit that is teachable and reliant on God's wisdom rather than one's own understanding.

Biblical References:

1. Philippians 2:3 · "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." This verse underscores the essence of lowly-mindedness by encouraging believers to prioritize others above themselves, thereby fostering a community of mutual respect and love.

2. Matthew 5:3 · "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Here, Jesus highlights the blessedness of those who recognize their spiritual neediness and dependence on God, a key aspect of being lowly-minded.

3. James 4:6 · "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" This passage emphasizes the divine favor bestowed upon those who are humble, contrasting it with the opposition faced by the proud.

4. 1 Peter 5:5-6 · "Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you." Peter exhorts believers to adopt a humble posture, promising that God will ultimately exalt those who do so.

Theological Significance:

In the Christian life, lowly-mindedness is not merely an outward demeanor but an inward transformation that aligns one's heart with the character of Christ. Jesus Himself is the ultimate example of lowly-mindedness. Philippians 2:5-8 describes how Christ, though being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. This self-emptying act of humility is the model for believers to emulate.

Practical Application:

Being lowly-minded involves a conscious effort to resist the temptations of pride and self-exaltation. It requires believers to seek God's will above their own and to serve others selflessly. This attitude fosters unity within the body of Christ and reflects the love and grace of God to the world.

Contrast with Worldly Values:

The concept of lowly-mindedness stands in stark contrast to the values often promoted by the world, which tend to glorify self-promotion, ambition, and personal achievement. The biblical call to humility challenges believers to live counter-culturally, valuing spiritual richness over material success and eternal rewards over temporal gains.

In summary, lowly-mindedness is a vital Christian virtue that aligns believers with the heart of God, enabling them to live lives marked by humility, service, and grace.

Philippians ii. 8-May
... What then is humility? To be lowly minded. And he is lowly minded who humbles
himself, not he who is lowly by necessity. To explain ...
/.../homily vi philippians ii 8-may.htm

Even the Sins of the Elect are Turned by God to their Advantage.
... who had given it, and so had said, "I shall not be moved for ever!" Therefore he
became troubled so that he found himself, and being lowly minded learnt not ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 24 even the sins of.htm

Preface
... ages. No philosophers have ever equalled their bold and lowly-minded
profession of faith in the solidarity of human reason. For ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/on prayer and the contemplative life/preface.htm

2 Cor. v. 11
... ye thinking us to be worthless should despise us and perish; or if again any modest
and lowly thing, it is for your sakes that ye may learn to be lowly-minded. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xi 2 cor v.htm

Matt. I. 1
... Since if out of sinners men are made righteous by a lowly mind (although this were
not to be lowly-minded but to be right-minded); if then to be right-minded ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily iii matt i 1.htm

Ephesians iv. 3-Jan
... grace, thou wilt humble thyself. The lowly-minded man is able to be at once
a generous and a grateful servant. "For what hast thou ...
/.../homily ix ephesians iv 3-jan.htm

Ambrose Teaches that no one is Sinless in this World.
... his own opinion, was either written in a qualified sense, probable, indeed, but
not expressed with minute accuracy; or if the holy and lowly-minded author did ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 54 xlix ambrose teaches that.htm

On Costly Vessels.
... from a common bowl, and made the disciples recline on the grass on the ground, and
washed their feet, girded with a linen towel"He, the lowly-minded God, and ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii on costly vessels.htm

Rom. xii. 14
... in another place, "being bound with them that are in bonds." (Hebrews 13:3.) But
here he means by those of low estate not merely the lowly-minded, but those of ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxii rom xii 14.htm

Hebrews vii. 3-Jan
... He hath placed thee in the midst of so great fear, and yet not even so art thou
lowly-minded; but if thou ever attain a little success, thou reachest to Heaven ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xii hebrews vii 3-jan.htm

Lowly-minded (1 Occurrence)
Lowly-minded. Lowly, Lowly-minded. Loyal . Multi-Version Concordance
Lowly-minded (1 Occurrence). 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion ...
/l/lowly-minded.htm - 6k

Loyal (15 Occurrences)

/l/loyal.htm - 11k

Lowly (29 Occurrences)

/l/lowly.htm - 14k

Kindhearted (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize,
kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded, (See NAS). ...
/k/kindhearted.htm - 6k

Conclusion (10 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize,
kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded, (WEY). ...
/c/conclusion.htm - 10k

Sympathetic (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize,
kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded, (See NAS NIV). ...
/s/sympathetic.htm - 7k

Sympathize (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize,
kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded, (WEY). ...
/s/sympathize.htm - 7k

Sympathy (15 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to
sympathize, kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded, (See RSV). ...
/s/sympathy.htm - 12k

Quick (49 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize,
kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded, (WEY). ...
/q/quick.htm - 24k

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