What is the significance of humility in Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Romans 12:3?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, humility is the most distinctive characteristic of Christian ethics that separates it from all other ethical systems. In his sermon, he explains that while other moral systems throughout history (including Greek philosophy) tended to promote pride and intellectual elitism, Christianity uniquely emphasizes humility as central to proper conduct.

As he states: "This insistence upon humility is what is unique in the Christian teaching." He points out that in Greek and other philosophical traditions, morality often "tended to provoke conceit" among "the elite, the thinkers, the philosophers," who would "despise the ignorant." By contrast, Christianity introduces the revolutionary concept that even those with spiritual gifts should approach them with humility.

The sermon demonstrates how the Apostle Paul himself modeled this humility despite his apostolic authority, always attributing his position and abilities entirely to "the grace given unto me."

How does Paul demonstrate both authority and humility in Romans 12:3?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul achieves a perfect balance between asserting his apostolic authority while simultaneously displaying deep humility. This is evidenced in the phrase "I say, through the grace given unto me."

The sermon outlines this dual nature of Paul's approach:

1. He asserts his authority: "I say" - Paul speaks with apostolic authority and expects to be heard.

2. He displays his humility: "through the grace given unto me" - Paul immediately acknowledges that his authority is derived and received, not inherent to himself.

As Lloyd-Jones explains: "He is speaking with authority. He is, after all, an apostle, and he speaks with an apostolic authority, but he's very careful to make it plain and clear that his authority is one which he has received and which he has derived elsewhere."

This balance allows Paul to "disarm all objections at the very beginning" by putting himself "in with them" - he's apart yet with them, unique yet the same as every Christian.

What are the two principles Paul establishes in Romans 12:3-8 regarding spiritual gifts?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Paul lays down two fundamental principles in Romans 12:3-8 regarding spiritual gifts in the church:

1. Everything is of grace and faith: "I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you...as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." This principle reminds believers that all spiritual gifts come from God's undeserved favor, not from personal merit. As Lloyd-Jones states, "Our entire position is the result of grace. Our whole activity is based upon grace."

2. The church is one body with many members: "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office, so we, being many, are one body in Christ and everyone members one of another." This principle establishes that spiritual gifts only make sense within the context of the church body, where each part functions in relation to others and to the whole.

Lloyd-Jones explains that both principles aim at "the same desired result" - "to destroy at the very beginning any tendency to self-assertion and to boasting," which have historically been "one of the greatest causes of self-assertion, boasting with all the resulting quarreling and the tendency to division."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define "grace" in the context of Paul's ministry?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines grace as "undeserved favor" - "something that comes out of the heart of God, not in response to anything in us, but in spite of us altogether from God, favor, kindness, blessing, entirely, utterly undeserved from our side."

When Paul speaks of "the grace given unto me," Lloyd-Jones argues he is referring to both:

1. The general grace that made him a Christian despite being "a persecutor and a blasphemer and an injurious person"

2. More specifically, the particular grace that called and equipped him as an apostle

The sermon provides multiple scriptural examples where Paul attributes his apostolic role entirely to grace (1 Corinthians 3:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, Galatians 1:15-16, Ephesians 3:7-8, and 1 Timothy 1:11-16).

Lloyd-Jones summarizes Paul's perspective: "But for the grace of God, he would never have been an apostle at all. But for the grace of God, he would never have been able to teach in the way that he teaches... I have nothing but what I have first of all received. And my very office, my calling, my abilities, all I am and all I'm doing is solely the result of the grace of God."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones apply this teaching to modern church authority issues?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones applies this teaching on humility and authority to contemporary ecclesiastical debates, particularly regarding church unity movements and hierarchical authority structures. He states this is "a subject which has unusual significance" in his time (the sermon was delivered during growing ecumenical movements).

He contrasts the New Testament model of authority with hierarchical church systems:

1. New Testament authority: "Authority in the New Testament is always spiritual, never official." The authority resides in the person because of their spiritual gifts, not in their position.

2. Hierarchical authority: "It's the office that makes the men." This approach, which Lloyd-Jones associates with the Roman Catholic Church and similar systems, places authority in titles and positions.

Lloyd-Jones argues that hierarchical structures entered the church from worldly systems: "All that has come into the church from the world, from the state." He notes this development began in the third century when simple church leadership (presbyters/bishops and deacons) evolved into increasingly stratified positions.

He concludes that the apostolic model combines "authority and humility," where leaders are "always amongst the people... one with all other Christians" - a stark contrast to leaders who "dress themselves up or sit on so-called thrones or to be removed as far away as possible from the people."