Briefly about humility and meekness. Internal and external signs of humility
Patristic literature talks a lot about humility and meekness. But, unfortunately, few lay people understand what it is. And one of the reasons for this misunderstanding is that humility (like meekness) is an experienced (and not theoretical) supernatural internal structure of a person, which, in principle, cannot be expressed in words. For example, in the Gospel, Christ teaches as having authority and, at the same time, He has the highest humility... In general, such an angelic quality of the soul must be begged for.
Therefore, it is simpler and more correct to say: humility is a gift of God, acquired through great works of asceticism. This means that it cannot be achieved only through one’s own efforts. Humility is complete surrender of oneself into the hands of God, i.e. inner poverty of spirit, according to the first of the beatitudes. What are the main signs of this virtue? First, humility is pacifying yourself in your heart, and not playing at self-abasement. “True humility is born from a vision of God's holiness, but we often try to make ourselves feel humble by artificially diminishing ourselves... Thus, humility does not at all consist in a constant effort to lower ourselves and deny the human dignity with which God has endowed us, which he requires of us, because we are His children, not slaves” (Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh). Secondly, humility is the crown of courage. You cannot justify your cowardice with humility. As Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh said, “humility is one of the most courageous gospel virtues, but we have managed to turn it into the pitiful quality of a slave.”
Let us now move on to consider meekness. This essentially divine quality is to not irritate anyone and not to get irritated yourself. (Or, as St. Nicholas of Serbia wrote: “...do not offend anyone and patiently bear insults”). In other words, if a person does not have meekness, then in his soul there is always anxiety, irritability and discontent, that is, demonic warfare is raised on the individual through thoughts. After all, without humility and meekness, grace cannot approach a believer, because God is Meek and Humble!
As Rev. beautifully said. John Climacus: “Meekness is an unchanging disposition of the mind, which remains the same in honor and dishonor... Meekness is a rock rising above the sea of irritability, against which all the waves that rush against it break. But she herself does not hesitate.” In this sense, the concept of “meekness” to some extent reveals the saying of the Apostle: “It is great gain to be godly and contented” (1 Tim. 6).
However, we must not forget: the goal of acquiring humility and meekness is the achievement of gospel love through the acquisition of God's grace. For it is precisely these virtues that make it possible for a soul, unperturbed by anything, unshakable like a rock, to become the receptacle of the Holy Spirit. And in this, according to Rev. Seraphim of Sarov, and lies the meaning of Christian life.
Indicate all the numbers in whose place NN is written.
Enter the numbers in ascending order.
I patiently examined the sandbank and the fresh wash of pebbles in search of interesting pebbles; a light breeze was blowing, the waves were gentle and calm. It seemed to me that I was wandering in a mystery (3), abandoned (4) by everyone in the world.
Explanation (see also Rule below).
Let's give the correct spelling.
| 1) Two letters n written in the full form of an adjective formed from a noun with a base on and using a suffix -N-. | |
| 3) mysteriously from the sacrament | 2) Two letters n written in the full form of an adjective formed from a noun using a suffix -ENN-/-ONN-. |
| 1) sandy | 3)One letter n written as an adjective formed from a noun using a suffix -AN-/YAN-,-IN-. |
| 2) humble from humble | 4) B short form the adjective is written as much n as in the full |
| 4) abandoned | 5) Two letters n are written in the full form of a participle formed from a perfective verb. |
| 6) Two letters n written as a participle or adjective with the suffix -OVA- | |
| 7) Two letters n are written in the full form of the participle, formed from an imperfective verb and used with a dependent word. | |
| 8) One letter n is written in the full form of an adjective formed from an imperfective verb and used without a dependent word. | |
| 9) One letter n written in the short form of the passive participle. | |
| 10) As many Ns are written in an adverb and a noun as in the word from which it is derived |
Answer: 234.
Answer: 234
Relevance: Current academic year
Rule: Writing N and NN in words different parts speech. Task 15.
SPELLING -Н-/-НН- IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF SPEECH.
Traditionally is the most complex topic for students, since the justified writing of N or NN is possible only with knowledge of morphological and word-formation laws. The "Help" material summarizes and systematizes all the rules of the topic N and NN from school textbooks and gives additional information from reference books by V.V. Lopatin and D.E. Rosenthal to the extent necessary to complete the Unified State Examination tasks.
14.1 N and NN in denominative adjectives (formed from nouns).
14.1.1 Two NNs in suffixes
NN is written in adjective suffixes, If:
1) the adjective is formed from a noun with a stem in N using the suffix N: foggyH+H → foggy; karmanN+N → pocket, cardboardN+N → cardboard
ancient (from old + N), picturesque (from picture + N), deep (from depth + N), outlandish (from outlandish + N), remarkable (from dozen + N), true (from truth + N), corvee ( from corvee + N), communal (from obshchNA + N), long (from length + N)
Please note: the word "strange" from the point of view modern language does not contain the suffix N and is not related to the word “country”. But historically, NV can be explained: a person from a foreign country was considered a dissident, a stranger, an outsider.
The spelling of the word “genuine” can also be explained etymologically: genuine in Ancient Rus' the name was the truth that the defendant spoke “under long sticks” - special long sticks or whips.
2) the adjective is formed from the noun by adding the suffix -ENN-, -ONN: cranberry (cranberry), revolutionary (revolution), solemn (triumph).
Exception: windy (but: windless).
Please note:
There are adjective words in which N is part of the root. These words must be remembered. They were not formed from nouns:
crimson, green, spicy, drunk, porky, red, ruddy, young.
14.1.2. N is written in adjective suffixes
N is written in adjective suffixes, If:
1) the adjective has the suffix -IN- ( dove, mouse, nightingale, tiger). Words with this suffix often mean “whose”: dove, mouse, nightingale, tiger.
2) the adjective has the suffixes -AN-, -YAN- ( sandy, leathery, oatmeal, earthy). Words with this suffix often mean “made of something”: from sand, from leather, from oats, from earth.
Exceptions: GLASS, TIN, WOODEN.
14.2. N and NN in suffixes of words formed from verbs. Full forms.
As you know, both participles and adjectives (=verbal adjectives) can be formed from verbs. The rules for writing N and NN in these words are different.
14.2.1 НН in suffixes of full participles and verbal adjectives
In the suffixes of full participles and verbal adjectives, NN is written if AT LEAST ONE of the conditions is met:
1) the word is formed from a verb perfect form, WITH OR WITHOUT A PRESET, for example:
from verbs buy, redeem (what to do?, perfect form): bought, redeemed;
from verbs throw, abandon (what to do?, perfect form): abandoned-abandoned.
The prefix does NOT change the type of participle and does not affect the spelling of the suffix. Any other prefix makes the word look perfect
2) the word has the suffixes -OVA-, -EVA- even in imperfect words ( MARINATED, PAVED, AUTOMATED).
3) with a word formed from a verb, there is a dependent word, that is, it forms a participial phrase, for example: ice cream in the refrigerator, boiled in broth).
NOTE: In cases where the full participle turns into an adjective in a specific sentence, the spelling does not change. For example: Excited With this message, the father spoke loudly and did not hold back his emotions. The highlighted word is a participle in a participial phrase, excited how? with this message. We change the sentence: His face was EXCITED, and there is no longer a participle, there is no turnover, because the face cannot be “excited,” and this is an adjective. In such cases, they talk about the transition of participles into adjectives, but this fact does not affect the writing of NN.
More examples: The girl was very ORGANIZED And brought up. Here both words are adjectives. The girl was not “educated”, and she was always educated, this constant signs. Let's change the sentences: We were in a hurry to a meeting organized by our partners. Mom, who was brought up in strictness, raised us just as strictly.. And now the highlighted words are participles.
In such cases, in the explanation of the task we write: adjective formed from participle or adjective transferred from participle.
Exceptions: unexpected, unexpected, unseen, unheard of, accidental, slow, desperate, sacred, desired..
Please note to the fact that from a number of exceptions the words counted (minutes), done (indifference). These words are written in general rule.
Let's add some more words here:
forged, pecked, chewed eva/ova are part of the root, these are not suffixes to write NN. But when prefixes appear, they are written according to the general rule: Chewed, shod, pecked.
wounded is written one N. Compare: Wounded in battle(two N, because a dependent word appeared); Wounded, perfect appearance, there is a prefix).
clever, it is difficult to determine the type of word.
14.2. 2 One N in verbal adjectives
In suffixes of verbal adjectives N is written if:
the word is formed from an imperfective verb, that is, answers the question what did you do with the item? and the word in the sentence has no dependent words.
stewed(it was stewed) meat,
shorn(they cut) their hair,
boiled(they boiled it) potatoes,
broken(they broke it) line,
stained(it was stained) oak (dark as a result of special treatment),
BUT: as soon as these adjective words a dependent word appears, they immediately become participles and are written with two N.
braised in the oven(it was stewed) meat,
recently cut(they cut) their hair,
steamed(they boiled it) potatoes.
DISTINGUISH between: participles (right) and adjectives (left) different meanings! In capital letters stressed vowels are highlighted.
sworn brother, sworn sister- a person who is not biologically related to this person, but has agreed to a brotherly (sisterly) relationship voluntarily. - the address I have given;
planted father (playing the role of the parent of the bride or groom during the wedding ceremony). - seated at the table;
dowry (property given to the bride by her family for life in marriage) - a dowry of a chic appearance;
Betrothed (this is the name of the groom, from the word fate) - narrowed skirt, from the word narrow, make narrow)
Forgiveness Sunday (religious holiday) - forgiven by me;
pissing beauty(epithet, phraseological unit) - oil painting.
14.2.3. Writing N and NN in compound adjectives
As part of a compound word, the spelling of the verbal adjective does not change:
A) the first part is formed from imperfect verbs, which means we write N: plain dyed (paint), hot-rolled, homespun, variegated, gold-woven (weave); whole-cut cut), gold-forged (forge), little-traveled (ride), little-traveled (walk), little-worn (wear), lightly salted (salt), finely crushed (crushed), freshly quenched (quench), freshly frozen (freeze) and others.
b) the second part of a compound word is formed from a perfective prefix verb, which means we write NN: smooth O painted ( O paint), fresh for ice cream ( for freeze) etc.).
In the second part of complex formations N is written, although there is a prefix PERE-: Ironed-re-ironed, patched-re-patched, worn-worn, washed-rewashed, shot-re-shot, darned-redarned.
Thus, you can complete tasks according to the following algorithm:
14.3. N and NN in short adjectives and short participles
Both participles and adjectives have not only full, but also short forms.
Rule: In short participles one N is always written.
Rule: IN short adjectives There are as many N written as in the full form.
But to apply the rules, you need distinguish between adjectives and participles.
DISTINGUISH between short adjectives and participles:
1) on the issue: short adjectives - what? what? what are they? what? what?, short participle - what is done? what's done? what has been done? what have been done?
2) by value(a short participle relates to an action, can be replaced with a verb; a short adjective characterizes the word being defined, but does not report the action);
3) by the presence of a dependent word(short adjectives do not and cannot have, short participles have).
| Short participles | Short adjectives |
|---|---|
| written (story) m. genus; what's done? by whom? | the boy is educated (what?) -from full form educated (what?) |
| written (book) g.rod; what's done? by whom? | the girl is educated (what?) - from the full form educated (what?) |
| written (essay) middle class; what was done? by whom? | the child is educated (what?) - from the full form educated (what?) |
| works written, many number; what have been done? by whom? | children are educated (what?) - fully educated (what?) |
14.4. One or two Hs can also be written in adverbs.
In adverbs starting with -O/-E, the same number of Ns are written as there are in the original word, For example: calmly with one H, as in an adjective calm suffix N; slowly with NN, as in an adjective slow NN; enthusiastically with NN, as in participle PASSIONATE NN.
Despite the apparent simplicity of this rule, there is a problem with distinguishing between adverbs, short participles and short adjectives. For example, in the word concentration (Н, НН)о it is impossible to choose one or another spelling WITHOUT knowing what this word is in a sentence or phrase.
DISTINGUISH between short adjectives, short participles and adverbs.
1) on the issue: short adjectives - what? what? what are they? what? what?, short participle - what is done? what's done? what has been done? what have been done? adverbs: how?
2) by value(a short participle relates to an action, can be replaced with a verb; a short adjective characterizes the word being defined, but does not report the action); adverb denotes a sign of an action, how it occurs)
3) by role in the sentence:(short adjectives and short participles are often predicates, but an adverb
refers to the verb and is a circumstance)
14.5. N and NN in nouns
1.In nouns (as well as in short adjectives and adverbs) the same number of N is written as in the adjectives (participles) from which they are formed:
| NN | N |
|---|---|
| captive (captive) | oil worker (oil worker) |
| education (educated) | hotel (lounge) |
| exile (exiled) | windy (windy) |
| larch (deciduous) | confusion (confused) |
| pupil (educated) | spice (spicy) |
| humanity (humane) | sandstone (sandy) |
| eminence (sublime) | smokedness (smoked) |
| poise (balanced) | delicious ice cream (ice cream) |
| devotion (devoted) | peat bog (peat) |
Words are formed from adjectives
relative from related, third-party from third-party, like-minded from like-minded, (malicious, complicit), placed from, drowned from drowned, number from number, compatriot from compatriot) and many others.
2. Nouns can also be formed from verbs and other nouns.
| NN is written, one N is included in the root, and the other in the suffix. | N* |
|---|---|
| moshen/nick (from moshn, which meant bag, wallet) | worker/enik (from toil) |
| druzhin/nickname (from druzhin) | torment/enik (from torment) |
| malin/nik (raspberry) | powder/enitsa (from powder) |
| name day/nickname (name day) | childbirth (give birth) |
| betrayal/nickname (betrayal) | brother-in-law |
| nephew | var/enik (cook) |
| homeless | BUT: dowry (from give) |
| insomnia | student |
| aspen/nick | bessrebr/enik |
| ringing | silver/nick |
Note on the table: *Words that are written with N and are not formed from adjectives (participles) are rare in the Russian language. They need to be learned by heart.
NN is also written in words traveler(from traveling) predecessor(precede)
Patristic literature talks a lot about humility and meekness. But, unfortunately, few lay people understand what it is. And one of the reasons for this misunderstanding is that humility (like meekness) is an experienced (and not theoretical) supernatural internal structure of a person, which, in principle, cannot be expressed in words. For example, in the Gospel, Christ teaches as having authority and, at the same time, He has the highest humility... In general, such an angelic quality of the soul must be begged for.
Therefore, it is simpler and more correct to say: humility is a gift of God, acquired through great works of asceticism. This means that it can hardly be achieved only through one’s own efforts. Humility is complete surrender of oneself into the hands of God, i.e. inner poverty of spirit, according to the first of the beatitudes. What are the main signs of this virtue? First, humility is pacifying yourself in your heart, and not playing at self-abasement. “True humility is born from a vision of God's holiness, but we often try to make ourselves feel humble by artificially diminishing ourselves... Thus, humility does not at all consist in a constant effort to lower ourselves and deny the human dignity with which God has endowed us, which he requires of us, because we are His children, not slaves” (Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh). Secondly, humility is the crown of courage. You cannot justify your cowardice with humility. As Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh said: “Humility is one of the most courageous gospel virtues, but we have managed to turn it into the pitiful quality of a slave.”
Let us now move on to consider meekness. This, in essence, is a divine quality: not to irritate anyone and not to be irritated yourself. (Or, as St. Nicholas of Serbia wrote: “...do not offend anyone and patiently bear insults”). In other words, if a person does not have meekness, then in his soul there is always anxiety, irritability and discontent, that is, demonic warfare is raised on the individual through thoughts. After all, without humility and meekness, grace cannot approach a believer, because God is Meek and Humble!
As Rev. beautifully said. John Climacus: “Meekness is an unchanging disposition of the mind, which remains the same in honor and dishonor... Meekness is a rock rising above the sea of irritability, against which all the waves that rush against it break. But she herself does not hesitate.” In this sense, the concept of “meekness” to some extent reveals the saying of the Apostle: “It is great gain to be godly and contented” (1 Tim. 6).
However, we must not forget: the goal of acquiring humility and meekness is the achievement of gospel love through the acquisition of God's grace. For it is precisely these virtues that make it possible for a soul, unperturbed by anything, unshakable like a rock, to become the receptacle of the Holy Spirit. And in this, according to Rev. Seraphim of Sarov, and lies the meaning of Christian life.
Andrey SIGUTIN, Obninsk
1. Meekness (Gal. 5:23; Matt. 11:29)
Everyone knows and understands that meekness is something good, noble: but what is it really? Meekness is a trait, one of the qualities or aspects of true Christian character; this is a form of behavior of a Christian who worthily bears this high title, one of the perfections, a degree of spiritual position and, in general, an integral property of a regenerated person. A Christian without meekness is, in fact, not a Christian, because Christ Himself said: “Come to Me... and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:28-29). And the one who came to Christ, but did not learn meekness from Him, needs to go back and start exactly from this. Only then will he receive legal right to be called a Christian. The word “meekness” itself is interpreted in dictionaries as follows: meek - gentle, submissive, meek, quiet, forgiving, loving, long-suffering, not quick-tempered, benevolent, modest (V. Dahl).
“Meekness is a quiet nature, the opposite of anger, rage and irritability” (Biblical Theological Dictionary). People also have meekness by nature, but real meekness is only among the regenerated and is the fruit of a person’s spirit imbued with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:23).
“Let your gentleness be known to all men” (Phil. 4:5). We need to be clothed (clothed) with meekness (Col. 3). Most best example We see meekness in Christ, in His behavior and attitude towards people who did not love Him and hated Him, mocked and crucified Him. "Forgive them, Father!" - this was a manifestation of true meekness.
2. Humility (Matt. 11:29)
Although humility is similar to meekness, it is not the same thing. Humble and humble are not one thing. Humility is the opposite of pride. The Lord, calling to learn humility, pointed not to others, but to Himself - only to Himself, and said that He is meek and lowly in heart. Humility is one of the qualities of a person’s character, and true humility is found only in regenerate people who have grown in grace. However, this does not mean that other people do not have humility at all. To a certain extent, it happens to others too. But it must be emphasized that Christ called not only those who did not have humility by nature to learn true humility, but exclusively everyone. “Come to Me, all of you... and learn from Me” (Matthew 11:28-29).
Humility, like other noble qualities of a person’s character, is acquired, as a rule, through persistent work on oneself: using the regenerating action of the Holy Spirit, a person himself must apply all his strength to this. This means that if a person wants to have meekness and humility, then he should not entrust this work to God and wait for God to do it, but with God’s help, applying all his strength, he should achieve this. That is why many are poor in these basic qualities that define a Christian, because when they came to Christ, they limited themselves to this, and entrusted the acquisition of meekness and humility to the Lord.
What is humility anyway? Humility is a quality of human character that is completely opposite to pride. If the proud exalts himself, considering himself superior to others, then the humble, on the contrary, places himself below others, as it is written in Phil. 2:3 “…esteem each other better than yourselves.” IN " Explanatory dictionaries“The word “humility” is interpreted as a state when a person is imbued with the consciousness of his weaknesses, his shortcomings, which the proud never think about and are not even able to admit that he has. Humility is a feeling of self-humiliation, contrition, repentance, modesty. Connection specified qualities and there is humility. In Ozhegov’s dictionary, the word “humility” is interpreted as “lack of pride, willingness to submit to someone else’s will.”
All of the above gives us a comprehensive outline of what is combined under the general word “humility.” The high virtue of humility is that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). The proud, inflating the idea of his merits, remains with them, but to the humble, by the grace of God, true virtues will be given and increased. This is the secret of why those who think a lot about themselves are essentially poor spiritually, while the humble, aware of their shortcomings - weakness and poverty - are enriched and become a blessing in the church.
The people have developed the concept: “humility is pleasing to God, enlightenment of the mind, salvation of the soul, blessing to the home and consolation to people (Words by V. Dahl, volume 4, p. 235) and in the same place: “Humility is a girl’s (or young man’s) necklace ( decoration)". The Virgin Mary, distinguished by humility (Luke 1:48), was honored to become such a vessel that through her, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ was incarnate - true God, Savior of the world.
Apollos can serve as a clear example of humility. Although he was eloquent and knowledgeable in the Scriptures, when simple ordinary members of the church Aquila and Priscilla invited him to their place and began to more accurately explain the way of the Lord, he in simplicity, without any pride or arrogance, accepted their explanations and then greatly contributed to those who believed by grace "(Acts 18:24-27). So God gives grace to the humble, and they then help others with this grace.
In Christ, humility was especially expressed in the fact that despite the fact that He was the eternal God, however, if it was necessary to accomplish our salvation, He “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, becoming like people... humbled himself, becoming obedient even to the point of death, even death on the cross...” (Phil. 2:6-7).
And the Word of God calls us to humility: “Do not be arrogant, but follow the humble, do not dream about yourself” (Rom. 12:16). "Humble yourselves before the Lord!" (James 4:10). “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God!” (Peter 5:6). The prophet Jeremiah, calling from God, called: “Humble yourself, sit down…” (Jer. 13:18). “...Savior, humble King, You are my eternal example!”
3. Humility (wisdom)
The word “humility” is often found both in the Word of God and in the everyday life of believers. It can often be heard in sermons, prayers and even in conversations. Most believers think that this is something high, holy, noble; but very few understand the real meaning of the word; and therefore, I invite everyone who strives for knowledge to reflect on this.
Unfortunately, this word is not in the Explanatory Dictionaries, and we will have to borrow from the dictionaries an explanation of two words: humility and wisdom, because the word itself is a compound word, consisting of these two words. And since we have figured out that humility is one of the main qualities of a person’s character, his moral character, expressed in self-humiliation and not exalting oneself in comparison with others, then let’s briefly discuss what wisdom is? Ozhegov interprets: “wisdom is a deep mind based on life experience.” In V. Dahl - wise - in highest degree reasonable and well-intentioned (having good intentions). V. Dahl leads folk proverb: You will not be wise until you are sixty." "All wisdom is from God" (Vol. II, p. 357).
The above interpretations and explanations indicate that wisdom is a deep mind and the one who is considered wise is the one who is highly intelligent and uses this intelligence in a useful way, for the benefit of both himself and people. The people have developed the idea that only those who have gone through a long period of time can possess wisdom. life path who lived to be 60 years old. And this, of course, cannot be denied.
But the Word of God opens up another path for us, when you can enrich yourself with wisdom even up to 60 years old, and generally regardless of age (James 1: 5-8). Thus, at one time, Solomon received from God such wisdom as no one else had (1 Kings 4:29-31), while still young.
Receiving wisdom from God is not only available to every believer, but even the Word of God itself encourages us to do so (James 1:5). What hinders this is mainly that those who ask God for wisdom do not have humility. That is why the word “humility” is made up of two words: humility and wisdom, and humility comes first, which is where someone who would like to ask God for wisdom should begin.
The Word of God teaches that human wisdom is even inconsistent with what should be called wisdom (1 Cor. 3:19). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, humble...” (James 3:17).
So, having dwelled in detail on what wisdom is (and we discussed humility in paragraph 2), it becomes quite clear to us that humility is a combination of two qualities: humility and wisdom. But why do you need to have these two qualities combined? This is necessary because a person by nature, if he notices that he is smarter than others, then naturally begins to put himself above others, or, as they usually say: “to turn up his nose,” which is the most intolerant thing in the eyes of God. And he who has humility of mind will be wiser than others and will not boast before them, but on the contrary: “through humility of mind let one consider another better than himself” (Phil. 2:3). This is why the Word of God requires that believers, if they have been raised with Christ (Col. 3:1), should put on humility (Col. 3:12).
A good example of this is the ap. Paul. Being reasonable person by nature, highly educated, gifted by God with wisdom (1 Cor. 2:6-8), the gifts of the Holy Spirit and great revelations of God (2 Cor. 12:7), he did not boast before anyone, and among the Ephesian believers “worked for the Lord with all humility of mind" (Acts 20:18-19). We read similar things about Joseph, Daniel and others. James, being an elder of the great Jerusalem church, exhorted the believers thus: “Is any of you wise and understanding? Prove it in reality good behavior and wise meekness" (James 3:13). This means: if you are wise, then use it for the benefit of people, the church, and do not neglect or humiliate anyone. Combine your wisdom with meekness and humility, and this will be called humility, which God demanded of man even in the Old Testament period (Mic. 6:8).
4. Reverence
God demands reverence from people and is very upset when people, God’s people, do not show it (Mal. 11:6; Heb. 12:28). But in order to serve God with reverence, you need to clearly understand what reverence is? Without understanding this, how can one manifest it?
In Ozhegov’s dictionary, reverence is interpreted as “deepest respect.” V. Dahl has “a combination of fear and respect, humility and obedience; the highest degree of respect!” These interpretations do not contradict, but on the contrary, comprehensively explain the meaning of the word. You can reverence not before God, but before something else, which people treat with special reverence, but here we will consider only reverence for God in serving Him. V. Dahl also includes the following as reverence: to humble yourself in your insignificance before the highest, to show unconditional respect and obedience to whom this is manifested.
So, reverence for God is the form of our relationship to God, which should be such as the very meaning of this word says, as we have already discussed above. And if even Jesus Christ revered the Father (Heb. 5:7), then how can we act otherwise?
Ignorance of God grieves God to the highest degree (Mal. 1:6) and is very dangerous because “... like a shadow, he who does not reverence God will not last long” (Eccl. 8:13). Only reverence for God helped Joseph resist temptation (Gen. 39:9). But Cain, being irreverent before God (Gen. 4:9), really did not last long with everything and committed his crime even when no one pushed him to do so.
Noah built the ark out of reverence (Heb. 11:7). Let us serve God acceptably, with reverence (Heb. 12:28).
