And whosoever shall exalt himself
Above his fellow Christians, or fellow ministers, by entertaining
too high an opinion of himself, by boasting of his gifts, as
preferable to others, and as if he had not received them; by
assuming, or eagerly coveting titles of honour among men, or by
affecting honour that do not belong to him, or, abusing what he
has: "shall be abased"; or humbled by God, or men, or both; such
shall lose the honour they have, and come greatly short of what
they are ambitious of; they shall fall into disgrace with men,
and are abominable in the sight of God: "and he that shall humble
himself"; by entertaining low thoughts, and a mean opinion of
himself, behaving modestly among men; not being elated with his
gifts, but acknowledging that they are owing to the grace and
goodness of God; and using them in an humble manner, for, the
advantage of others; not coveting honour from men, nor lifted up
with what is conferred on him: "shall be exalted"; by God, or
men, or both; if not in this world, yet in the world to come: and
indeed, generally speaking, such modest, humble, persons, are
most esteemed among men; and God gives more grace unto them, and
will at last give them glory. This is a saying, often used by our
Lord on different accounts, both with respect to his disciples,
for their instruction, and with regard to the scribes and
Pharisees, for their mortification; see ( Luke 14:11 ) ( 18:14 ) . It seems to be
a proverbial expression, and much in use among the Jews: it is
said in so many words in the Talmud F21, as here;
``whosoever shall humble himself, the holy blessed God shall exalt him; and whosoever shall exalt himself, the holy blessed God shall humble him.''