Humility is a virtue that the Bible consistently elevates and encourages individuals to cultivate. This spiritual quality, extolled in numerous scriptures, is a sign of wisdom and maturity, distinctively countering the worldly attitudes of pride and hubris.
What the Bible Reveals about Humility
The Bible provides numerous insights about humility, highlighting its essential role in our relationships with others and with God. Humility in the Bible is often placed in the context of recognizing the greatness and authority of God, and understanding our rightful place in relation to Him. This virtue is a reflection of our faith, love, and respect for God, leading us to submit ourselves fully to His will and guidance, acknowledging that our strength and wisdom come from Him.
Why Humility Is So Essential in The Biblical Perspective
According to the Bible, humility is not an optional virtue, but it is crucial for our spiritual development. It is a characteristic that imbues our lives with grace and enables us to grow closer to God. Humility prevents us from becoming puffed up with self-importance, promotes a spirit of compassion and understanding, and fosters an open, receptive heart that is quick to listen and slow to take offense. Supplemental to this, humility enables us to put others’ needs before our own, embodying the self-sacrifice that is central to Christian love.
Who Are the Models of Humility in the Bible
The Bible showcases various people who exemplify humility, with Jesus Christ being the greatest model. His life was marked by a humble nature, consistently choosing lowliness over lordship, service over dominance. Other biblical characters, like Moses, known as the most humble man on earth, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, who surrendered herself entirely to God’s will, are also noteworthy examples of humility for believers to emulate.
Where the Bible Teaches about Humility
The teachings about humility in the Bible permeate both Old and New Testaments. It surfaces in the wisdom literature of the Proverbs, where we are continually encouraged to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. Likewise, the letters of the Apostles in the New Testament persistently urge the faithful to put on a humble mind. This core value is woven into the fabric of biblical teachings, aspects of humility can be seen even in narratives, parables, and the teachings of Jesus himself.
When Humility Is Highlighted in Biblical Verses
Instances highlighting the significance of humility in the Bible are ubiquitous throughout the scriptures. From the moment Moses accepts his God-given mission with meekness and self-effacement, to the point where Jesus humbly washes the feet of his disciples, demonstrating servitude and humility. In the Letter to the Philippians, Apostle Paul emphasizes Christ’s humility in His decision to become incarnate. Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus’ humility was evident in His teachings, healing, and ultimately, His sacrifice on the cross. Hence, for followers of Christianity, practicing humility means aligning oneself with the selfless demeanor of Christ and leading a modest life in service of others and obedience to God.
Below is the full list of bible verses on humility (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Humility
Proverbs 22:4
“4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.”
Related Themes: Pride Money Abundance Obtaining Wealth
Proverbs 11:2
“2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”
Colossians 3:12
“12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”
1 Peter 5:5
“5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
Related Themes: Pride Respecting Your Parents Children
James 4:10
“10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
James 4:6
“6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Related Themes: Pride Grace Self-Esteem
Ephesians 4:2
“2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”
Related Themes: Patience Love Bitterness Attitude
Micah 6:8
“8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Related Themes: Justice Strangers Business Social Justice
Proverbs 15:33
“33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Pride Wisdom Education
Proverbs 18:12
“12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”
Related Themes: Pride Narcissism Self Destruction
2 Chronicles 7:14
“14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Related Themes: Repentance Healing Prayer Revival
1 Peter 5:6
“6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
Related Themes: Frustration Anxiety Nervousness Love
Luke 14:11
“11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Related Themes: Pride
Philippians 2:3
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Related Themes: Pride Respecting Your Parents
Romans 12:3
“3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Proverbs 3:34
“34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
Romans 12:16
“16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”
Related Themes: Pride Frustration Judging Others Attitude
James 3:13
“13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
Related Themes: Life Wisdom Bitterness Meekness
Proverbs 29:23
“23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”
Related Themes: Pride Bitterness Sports Respecting Your Parents
Psalm 25:9
“9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”
Matthew 23:12
“12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Related Themes: Pride Sports Humbleness Ambition
Psalm 149:4
“4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.”
Related Themes: Pleasing God Joy
Isaiah 57:15
“15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Related Themes: Holiness Omnipotence Omnipresence Revival
Philippians 2:3-11
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Related Themes: Pride Respecting Your Parents
Matthew 11:29
“29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
John 3:30
“30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Related Themes: Leadership Children Selflessness Surrender
Philippians 2:3-4
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Related Themes: Pride Respecting Your Parents
Isaiah 66:2
“2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”
1 Peter 3:8
“8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:”
Related Themes: Empathy Selflessness Judging Others Vindictiveness
Zephaniah 2:3
“3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”
Related Themes: Meekness
