12 Bible Verses About Humility

Written by: Evelyn Johnson
Published on:

Discover the importance of humility in the Bible with these twelve powerful verses.

From Proverbs to Matthew, these scriptures emphasize the virtue of putting others before oneself and recognizing one’s own limitations.

Learn how humility leads to wisdom, grace, and honor, while pride leads to destruction and separation from God.

Explore key chapters like Philippians 2, James 4, and Luke 14 to deepen your understanding of this essential aspect of Christian character.

Bible verses about humility

Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about humility:

1. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
2. “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” – James 4:6
3. “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.” – Proverbs 22:4
4. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” – Philippians 2:3
5. “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” – Proverbs 15:33
6. “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:4

7. “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2
8. “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” – Proverbs 29:23
9. “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
10. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” – Isaiah 57:15
11. “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.” – 1 Peter 5:5
12. “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12

What does the Bible say about humility?

The Bible emphasizes the importance of humility, which involves putting others before oneself and recognizing one’s own limitations and weaknesses.

Humility is seen as a virtue that leads to wisdom, grace, and honor.

It is also contrasted with pride, which is seen as a sin that leads to destruction and separation from God.

The Bible teaches that humility involves submitting to God’s will and serving others with love and compassion.

It is a key aspect of Christian character and is essential for spiritual growth and maturity.

What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about humility?

1. Philippians 2: This chapter talks about how Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to God, even to the point of death on a cross. It emphasizes the importance of having the same mindset as Christ, who did not consider equality with God something to be used for his own advantage. This chapter is relevant to humility because it shows that true humility involves putting others before ourselves and being willing to serve and sacrifice for their benefit.

2. James 4: This chapter talks about the dangers of pride and the importance of submitting ourselves to God. It emphasizes the need to resist the devil and draw near to God, and warns against speaking evil of others and boasting about our own plans. This chapter is relevant to humility because it shows that humility involves recognizing our own limitations and weaknesses, and relying on God’s strength and wisdom instead of our own.

3. Luke 14: This chapter contains several parables and teachings of Jesus that emphasize the importance of humility. It includes the parable of the wedding feast, where Jesus teaches that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted. It also includes the teaching about counting the cost of discipleship, which involves being willing to give up everything for the sake of following Jesus. This chapter is relevant to humility because it shows that true discipleship requires a humble and sacrificial attitude.

Ideas and concepts related to humility that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.

1. Meekness: Meekness is the quality of being gentle, humble, and patient. It is closely related to humility because it involves putting others before oneself and being willing to submit to authority. In the Bible, Jesus is often described as meek, and he teaches his followers to be meek as well.

2. Servanthood: Servanthood is the act of serving others, often at one’s own expense. It is a key aspect of humility because it involves putting others’ needs before one’s own desires. In the Bible, Jesus is the ultimate example of servanthood, as he washed his disciples’ feet and ultimately gave his life for the sake of others.

3. Obedience: Obedience is the act of following instructions or commands. It is related to humility because it involves submitting to authority and recognizing that others may know better than oneself. In the Bible, obedience is often linked to humility, as God’s people are called to obey his commands and submit to his will.

4. Gratitude: Gratitude is the act of being thankful for what one has, rather than focusing on what one lacks. It is related to humility because it involves recognizing that one’s blessings come from outside oneself and being willing to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of others. In the Bible, gratitude is often linked to humility, as God’s people are called to give thanks for his blessings and recognize their dependence on him.

5. Forgiveness: Forgiveness is the act of pardoning someone for a wrongdoing. It is related to humility because it involves letting go of one’s own pride and anger and choosing to extend grace to another person. In the Bible, forgiveness is often linked to humility, as God’s people are called to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God.

Evelyn Johnson - Bible Verses
Written by Evelyn Johnson


Evelyn Johnson is a theologian, Bible expert, and the founder of EncouragingBibleVerses.org, a trusted resource for uplifting and empowering Bible verses.

With a Master's degree in Divinity, Evelyn is dedicated to studying and interpreting the Bible. Her website features curated collections of verses on various topics, along with insightful commentary and practical tips for everyday life.

Evelyn is also a sought-after speaker and author on matters of faith and spirituality. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and volunteering in her local church and community.

Learn more about her and read her other articles here.