Humility, as revealed in the Bible, is a vital virtue that God esteems and calls His people to embody. It is the recognition of our true position before God, acknowledging His sovereignty and our dependency on Him. The Scriptures teach that humility involves putting others before ourselves, considering them as more significant, and serving them with love and compassion.
Jesus Himself demonstrated profound humility, coming to earth as a servant and willingly laying down His life for humanity. Here are some of our favorites verses on humility in the Bible…
Scriptures about Humility
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
James 4:6
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
Matthew 23:12
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
1 Peter 5:5
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Colossians 3:12
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Proverbs 22:4
“The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.”
Ephesians 4:2
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.
Luke 14:11
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Colossians 2:18
“Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind.”
James 3:13
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”
1 Peter 3:8
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
Psalm 25:9
“He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”
Matthew 5:5
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
James 1:21
“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Proverbs 16:19
“It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Matthew 18:4
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Isaiah 57:15
“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.’
Romans 12:3
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Proverbs 29:23
“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”
1 Peter 3:4
“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
Matthew 20:26
“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Psalm 147:6
“The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.”
Galatians 6:3
“For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
Proverbs 15:33
“The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”
Zephaniah 2:3
“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.
1 Timothy 6:17
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”
Proverbs 3:34
“Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.”
Luke 18:14
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
Proverbs 27:2
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
Luke 14:10
“But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.”
Final Thoughts about Humility Bible Verses
The Bible warns against pride and exhorts believers to cultivate a humble spirit, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility opens our hearts to receive wisdom, guidance, and grace from God.
It allows us to walk in unity with fellow believers and to honor and respect one another. Ultimately, humility aligns our hearts with God’s purposes, enabling us to live in harmony with His will and to reflect the character of Christ to the world.
