John Calvin Commentary Matthew 23:11

"But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." — Matthew 23:11 (ASV)

He who is greatest among you. By this conclusion, he shows that he did not, in the manner of the sophists, dispute about words but, on the contrary, focused on the substantive issue: that no one, through forgetfulness of their rank, might claim more than was proper. He therefore declares that the highest honor in the Church is not government, but service.

Whoever keeps himself to this limit, whatever title he bears, takes nothing away either from God or from Christ. On the other hand, it serves no good purpose to adopt the name of a servant merely to cloak a power that diminishes the authority of Christ as a Master.

For what purpose does it serve when the Pope, about to oppress wretched souls with tyrannical laws, begins by styling himself the servant of servants of God, other than to insult God openly and to make a shameful mockery of people?

Now, while Christ does not insist on mere words, he strictly forbids his followers to aspire or desire to rise any higher than to enjoy brotherly fellowship on an equal footing under the heavenly Father. He also charges those who occupy places of honor to conduct themselves as the servants of others.

He adds that remarkable statement, which has been previously explained,⁹² he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

⁹² Harmony, , vol. 2, p. 165..