ταπεινοφροσύνη (tapeinophrosunē)
tapeinophrosunē
humility
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun tapeinophrosunē describes a deep sense of one’s moral littleness, often translated as humility or lowliness of mind. It combines the idea of being "low" (tapeinos) with "mind" or "thought" (phren), pointing to an internal attitude rather than just external behavior. In the New Testament, this word appears seven times, primarily in pastoral letters like Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, where it is listed as a key virtue for Christian community life.
While usually positive, the sources note that the term can carry a negative sense when describing "false humility," particularly in Colossians 2:18 and 23, where it is linked to self-imposed asceticism or idolatry. In its proper use, however, it reflects a realistic view of oneself before God and others. Paul urges believers to clothe themselves with this quality (Colossians 3:12) and to consider others better than themselves (Philippians 2:3), framing it as the foundation for genuine unity and mutual submission.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tapeinophrosunē invites us to look inward at our own hearts with honesty. It is not about thinking less of ourselves in a negative way, but rather recognizing that we are dependent on God and equal to our neighbors. This attitude strips away the need to prove our worth through status or achievement. Instead, it allows us to rest in the grace that covers our flaws and lifts up those around us.
When we practice this kind of humility, relationships change. We stop competing for attention and start serving with genuine care. As Paul wrote to the Philippians, we can begin to count others as more significant than ourselves, not out of duty, but from a place of shared humanity before God. This creates space for patience and love to grow naturally within our communities.
It is easy to confuse this virtue with self-deprecation or false piety. True humility does not hide our gifts; it uses them to bless others. By wearing this quality like clothing, as suggested in Colossians, we find a stable foundation for daily life. It reminds us that our value comes from being chosen by God, not from our own performance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- humility4×
- with humility1×
- in humility1×
- humility,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ταπεινοφροσύνῃ3×
- ταπεινοφροσύνης2×
- ταπεινοφροσύνην,1×
- ταπεινοφροσύνην1×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 2:3
doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
This verse defines the practical outworking of humility as actively valuing others above oneself, rejecting rivalry.
-
Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
Here humility is listed alongside compassion and kindness as essential clothing for those chosen by God.
-
Ephesians 4:2
with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
The word appears here as a key component of bearing with one another in love, linking it directly to community patience.