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Bible verses about humility
Passages on lowliness, modesty, the contrast between pride and humility, and the way God exalts those who humble themselves.
What does the Bible say about humility?
Humility is one of the most valued qualities in Scripture. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Jesus washed his disciples' feet. Paul told believers to count others more significant than themselves.
These verses cover humility before God and humility toward other people. They are useful for anyone wrestling with pride, ambition, or the desire for recognition.
Key passages
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:"
Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. Humility preserves peace and order in all Christian churches and societies; pride disturbs them. Where God gives grace to be humble, he will give wisdom, faith, and holiness.
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up. Since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our own hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members. Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow content or satisfaction.
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
In lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves. Here are further exhortations to Christian duties; to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, according to the example of the Lord Jesus.
"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."
When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the lowly is wisdom. Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom.
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Jesus here gives eight characters of blessed people, which represent to us the principal graces of a Christian. The poor in spirit are happy.
"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?"
Walk humbly with your God. These verses seem to contain the substance of Balak's consultation with Balaam how to obtain the favour of Israel's God.
Main takeaways
- God consistently opposes pride and gives grace to the humble.
- Humility is not weakness; it is accurate self-knowledge before God.
- Jesus is presented as the supreme example of humility.
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