The central word for me in this verse is used only here in
the New Testament. The word is
translated “be clothed with” (NKJV), “clothe yourselves” (ESV). The Greek word is ἐγκομβόομαι
(egkomboomai),
and is defined by Strong’s G1464 as follows:
“knot or band by which two things are fastened
together, to fasten or gird one's self” – with the following note:
“This
was the white scarf or apron of slaves, which was fastened to the belt of the
vest and distinguished slaves from freemen. Therefore, 1 Pet 5:5 ("gird
yourselves with humility as your servile garb") encourages Christians to
show their subjection one to another by putting on humility. This could also
refer to the overalls which slaves wore to keep clean while working—an
exceedingly humble garment.”
This word describes the function that is similar to the uniform coveralls worn by workmen
today or the blue blouse or overshirt worn by the French working classes in the
19th Century. To illustrate,
I’ve included Paul Cezanne’s portrait of a workman, “Man in a Blue Smock” from
the Kimbell Art Museum.
This is how I should live – I must wear humility as a
garment to mark myself as the slave of Jesus Christ and to protect the “white
robe” of His righteousness which He has given me to wear.
