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Bible Verses About Humility
What does the Bible say about humility? It honors the lowly heart, and promises that the way up in God's kingdom is down, in serving, not being served. James 4:10, Philippians 2:3, Proverbs 22:4 are among the clearest passages.
Bible verses about humility
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
James 4:10 · King James Version (public domain)
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Philippians 2:3 · King James Version (public domain)
“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.”
Proverbs 22:4 · King James Version (public domain)
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
1 Peter 5:6 · King James Version (public domain)
“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Matthew 23:12 · King James Version (public domain)
Jesus lays down the kingdom pattern that the self-exalting are brought low and the lowly are lifted up.
“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:2 · King James Version (public domain)
Where pride brings shame, humility quietly carries wisdom along with it.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 16:18 · King James Version (public domain)
This proverb warns that a proud heart is walking toward a fall it does not see coming.
“Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
Proverbs 3:34 · King James Version (public domain)
God actively opposes the scornful but pours grace on those who bow low before Him.
“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?”
Micah 6:8 · King James Version (public domain)
Walking humbly with God is named as one of the plain things the Lord requires of us.
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:8 · King James Version (public domain)
Christ Himself is our measure of humility, stooping from glory all the way to death on a cross.
“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.”
Matthew 11:29 · King James Version (public domain)
Jesus calls Himself meek and lowly and offers rest to those who learn that same lowliness from Him.
“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Luke 14:11 · King James Version (public domain)
In the story of the wedding seats He teaches us to take the low place and let God do the raising.
“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”
Proverbs 15:33 · King James Version (public domain)
This verse fixes the order plainly, that humility comes before honor rather than after it.
How these verses point to Christ
These verses are not slogans to prop yourself up. Every true word the Bible speaks about humility finds its yes in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). He is where humility, rightly understood, was always leading; come to Him and receive what no verse alone can give.
You do not have to carry this alone
On The Living Bread you can read these passages in full, ask Simon what they mean, hear how Christ has met others in the same place, and pray them with a community that will pray for you by name. You are welcome exactly as you are.
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