Selflessness is a pivotal aspect of Christian living as depicted in various parts of the Bible. The concept encourages putting the needs of others before your personal desires or gains. Portraying this trait allows believers to align with the teachings of Christ on love, charity, and service to humanity. Through numerous Bible verses, we gain insights into the dimension and depth of selflessness.
What the Bible says about Selflessness
The Bible presents numerous verses that exhort the essence of selflessness. From the teachings and actions of Jesus, the apostles, and other renowned biblical figures, we understand that selflessness is key to a Christian’s calling. Jesus Christ, the paramount figure in Christianity, serves as the ultimate epitome of a selfless life. His sacrifice on the cross for the salvation of humanity signifies the greatest symbol of selflessness. Through these verses, believers gain transformative awareness to live out this virtue daily.
Who embodies Selflessness in the Bible
Several characters in the Bible exemplify selflessness in their relations with others. Jesus Christ towered above all others with his self-sacrificial love for mankind, extending grace and mercy regardless of their failings. The apostles also demonstrated selflessness in their efforts to spread the gospel, often facing persecution with grace. Biblical heroes such as Esther risked their lives for the welfare of their people, epitomizing selflessness. These biblical personalities inspire believers to emulate selflessness in their relations with others.
Why Selflessness is Essential in Christian Living
Selflessness breeds love, unity, and harmony. The Bible emphasizes the virtuous cycle generated by selflessness, contributing to personal growth and the enhanced well-being of the community. Through such selfless acts, Christians mirror the love and compassion of God, leading to a more fulfilling, harmonious, and Christlike living. By raising the needs and interests of others above personal goals, believers can experience profound joy, contentment, and inner peace.
When Selflessness was Displayed in the Bible
The Bible records various instances when selflessness was shown by different characters. One of the striking scenes is when Jesus willingly accepted His sacrificial death on the cross for the redemption of mankind. In another instance, the early Christian church, following the teachings of the apostles, practiced communal living, sharing their belongings irrespective of personal needs. These episodes reiterate the powerful impact of selflessness in fostering unity and brotherhood, as well as exhibiting the love of Christ.
Where the Bible Encourages Selflessness
The Bible encourages selflessness through multiple verses scattered across both the Old and New Testaments. It advises believers to care for the less fortunate, to bear the burdens of others, and to love others unconditionally. Moreover, the Bible admonishes believers to serve others selflessly, even if it means sacrificing personal comfort, interests, and desires. These verses guide Christians on how to live a selfless life, being quicker to listen, slower to speak, and abounding in love and grace.
Below is the full list of bible verses on selflessness (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 Selflessness
Philippians 2:4
“4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Related Themes: Selfishness Dating Serving Others Sacrifice
Luke 6:35
“35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
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 Humility Respecting Your Parents
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: Humility Empathy Judging Others Vindictiveness
John 15:12-14
“12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
Related Themes: Strangers Love Friendship Homelessness
2 Peter 1:5-7
“5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”
Related Themes: Self-Control Frustration Dating Perseverance Morality
1 Thessalonians 5:15
“15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
Related Themes: Revenge Peace Vengeance Retribution
Proverbs 19:17
“17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Strangers Business Money Serving The Poor
Galatians 5:14
“14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Related Themes: Strangers Discrimination Judging Others 10 commandments
Ephesians 4:29-32
“29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Complaining Judging Others Cursing
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 Humility Respecting Your Parents
Psalm 119:36
“36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.”
Related Themes: Greed Indulgence Coveting Selfishness
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
Related Themes: Money Pride Money Homelessness Hope
1 Corinthians 10:24
“24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”
Related Themes: Selfishness Morality Morals Love
John 3:16
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
Galatians 2:20
“20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
James 3:16
“16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy Selfishness Offense Jealousy Youth
John 15:13
“13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Related Themes: Love Friendship Homelessness Life Strangers
Proverbs 18:1
“1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.”
Related Themes: Arguing Indulgence Discernment Wisdom Divorce
Proverbs 3:27-28
“27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.”
Related Themes: Money Benevolence Finances Giving Serving Others
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Creativity Attitude Business
Mark 12:31
“31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
Related Themes: Love Equality Bullying Gossip Discrimination
Romans 5:8
“8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Related Themes: Love Bitterness Greatness Sacrifice Fidelity
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”
Acts 20:24
“24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
Related Themes: Quitting Retirement Life Grace
Hebrews 13:5-6
“5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Related Themes: Money Loneliness Finances Complaining Greed
John 3:30
“30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Related Themes: Humility Leadership Children Surrender
Matthew 25:40
“40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Related Themes: Strangers Homelessness Benevolence Serving Others
Philippians 2:5-8
“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.”
Philippians 4:8
“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Related Themes: Lust Gossip Attitude Complaining
