Bible Verses About Humility
Humility is an important part of living a life that honors God. Scripture has many bible verses about humility, such as Proverbs 15:33 which states, “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”
Luke 14:11 reminds us, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Finally, 1 Peter 5:5-6 charges us to, “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”
These are just a few of the many scriptures that remind us of the importance of humility and its place in our lives. As we strive to honor God, let us remember these verses and take them to heart. May they shape our attitudes and actions as we seek to be humble before Him.
Humility Quotes
Humility in the Bible
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.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians is written by Paul to the church of Philippi. In this letter, Paul shows what it means to live out Christian living as we follow the model of Christ living out true humility.
Because we are encouraged by Christ’s love and humility, we can treat others the same way.
Romans 3:23-24
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Paul lays it out there in Romans. We are saved by grace through faith.
We all need a savior. Realizing that we all need Jesus helps us be able to give grace more freely, which will make more of an eternal impact than being proud and judgmental.
Understanding that God’s love for each of us is the exact same is so humbling.
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.
Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;
humility precedes honor.
The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Most of Proverbs is credited to Solomon, known as the wisest man. (The last 2 chapters are credited to others.)
Proverbs is all about humility. This should remind us that we ALL have so much to learn.
A heart full of awe for the Lord is the foundation for a life of reverence and understanding.
Colossians 3:12-13
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul during his first imprisonment.
To “clothe ourselves” means we intentionally put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
It’s important to note that humility is in this list. If we are compassionate, kind, gentle, and patient but think high of ourselves for doing it, it strays from the gospel. It points to man and not a Savior.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Most likely written by James, brother of Jesus, this verse shows that following God’s moral standards will point believers towards living out their faith on a personal level.
Humbling ourselves before the Lord is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is an act of strength and faith as we rely on God’s power instead of our own.
Luke 14:11
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Written by Luke to share events of Jesus’ life, the parables of teaching shared with us are still providing great advice for us today.
Pointing to worldly gain versus glory to God doesn’t help you grow as a person or reflect a loving God.
This powerful commandment is a reminder that pride can lead to our downfall while humility brings success. It teaches us to strive for selfless service and to recognize the importance of all people, regardless of their social standing. By humbling ourselves, we can learn from others and be exalted in our Lord’s eyes.
Romans 12:3
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.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
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.
Written by the apostle Paul to the Roman house churches, there is a huge focus on salvation and encouraging spiritual strength.
Here, Paul reminds believers that we have been given many different gifts such as teaching, serving, leading, but we are all one body.
No gift is better than another.
Micah 6:8
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lordrequire of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Written by Micah, this verse encourages believers that true faith comes from fully turning towards God and not just going through the religious motions.
God doesn’t want gifts upon gifts (thousands of rams and streams of oil), but he wants our full heart.
1 Peter 5:5-7
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.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
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.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter was written by Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to encourage those suffering in Asia Minor and can still bring encouragement to us today.
There is beauty that comes with being humble. There is no fear that your hard work won’t be noticed, but God will lift you up and give you what you need.
Nobody likes a braggart! Being proud points people away from the love of Jesus.
Ephesians 4:1-2
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Here, Paul again touches on the diversity in the body of Christ and the power that humility has in relationships. We were dead in our sin but God made us alive in Christ!
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
God isn’t just being bossy, he has your best interest in mind and wants all to hear about his love.
When we are compassionate and courteous, we can create a strong sense of connection with those around us. This is essential for building strong relationships which will last long into the future.
We must not forget that our efforts to be unified and kind-hearted do not go unnoticed by God. He sees our efforts and rewards them accordingly!
Proverbs 11:2
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
Pride leads to disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom.
Being prideful turns people away while being humble makes people more approachable and relatable.
James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
If we are prideful then where does it show our need for Jesus?
Being humble shows our reliance on God.
Proverbs 16:18-19
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall.
19 Better to live humbly with the poor
than to share plunder with the proud.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
This proverb encourages us to value humility over pride and to focus less on selfish ambition and more on serving others with integrity. Integrity means staying true to our values, while humility is being aware of our limitations and recognizing the need for an all-knowing, all-powerful God and Savior.
Matthew 11:29-30
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.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This passage is a reminder that God’s love carries us through our everyday struggles. He is gentle and humble, not looking for us to suffer under the burden of our problems but rather offering rest and peace.
By taking on His yoke and learning from Him, we can find relief from our stress and anxieties. When we accept Jesus’ love, it lifts the weight off our shoulders and gives us a newfound freedom that comes with trusting in God and His plan for us.
When we take on the yoke of Jesus, He is there to comfort us, offering us a new perspective and strength for difficult times. His yoke will be easy and light as He leads us through.
