What Does the Bible Say About Humility?
Biblical humility is not self-deprecation but an accurate view of oneself in relation to God — recognizing His greatness and our dependence on Him.
Key Verse: Philippians 2:3-4
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Old Testament Perspective
Moses is described as 'more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth' (Numbers 12:3). God repeatedly exalts the humble and humbles the proud.
New Testament Perspective
Christ's incarnation is the supreme act of humility (Philippians 2:5-11). Jesus taught that the greatest in the kingdom are those who serve.
15 Key Bible Verses About Humility
- Philippians 2:3-4: "doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others."
- James 4:10: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you."
- Proverbs 11:2: "When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom."
- Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
- 1 Peter 5:5-6: "Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;"
- Matthew 23:12: "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
- Proverbs 22:4: "The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life."
- Colossians 3:12: "Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;"
- Romans 12:3: "For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith."
- Ephesians 4:2: "with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love;"
- Psalm 25:9: "He will guide the humble in justice. He will teach the humble his way."
- Zephaniah 2:3: "Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the land, who have kept his ordinances. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of Yahweh’s anger."
- Proverbs 18:12: "Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility."
- 2 Chronicles 7:14: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
- Matthew 18:4: "Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."