Bible verses about humility
The Bible speaks about humility often and plainly. Pride sets a person against God and against other people, while humility sees God as great and ourselves as we really are. Scripture promises that God draws near to the humble and resists the proud.
Humility in the Bible is not weakness or low self-esteem. It means walking before God with a teachable heart, thinking soberly about ourselves and putting the good of others ahead of our own ambitions.
The clearest picture of humility is Jesus Himself, who stepped down from heaven to serve and to die for us. These verses show what humility is, how Christ lived it and what God promises to those who humble themselves.
What humility is
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Prov 11:2 · King James Version (1769)
The proud end up in shame, but the humble gain wisdom. The New Geneva Study Bible explains that humility means judging rightly who we are and where our place is, and so it opens the way to true wisdom.
He hath showed 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?
Mic 6:8 · King James Version (1769)
Israel asked what sacrifices would please God, and Micah answers that they already knew. God wanted more than offerings: He wanted their hearts, shown in fairness toward others, love of mercy and a humble walk with Him.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Matt 23:12 · King James Version (1769)
Jesus said this about the Pharisees, who loved the best seats and honorable titles. William MacDonald observes that true greatness in God’s kingdom is the opposite of what people expect: it stoops to serve.
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.
Rom 12:3 · King James Version (1769)
Paul speaks from the grace given to him, not from his own importance. Nothing in the gospel allows a believer to think himself greater than others; each one should use his gifts soberly and without envy.
Christ, our example
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phil 2:3 · King James Version (1769)
Rivalry and empty conceit were dividing the church, and humility is the cure. John MacArthur calls counting others more significant than ourselves the basic definition of true humility.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Phil 2:5–8 · King James Version (1769)
Paul points to Christ as the highest example of humility. He was God and did not stop being God, yet He gave up the glory and privileges of heaven, took the form of a servant and obeyed the Father even to the most shameful death, death on a cross.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:12 · King James Version (1769)
Humility is part of the new life in Christ that believers put on like clothing. It is not a show of lowliness but an honest view of ourselves before God, together with kindness, compassion, meekness and patience.
God lifts up the humble
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:6 · King James Version (1769)
James quotes Proverbs 3:34. God’s grace is greater than the power of sin, and MacArthur notes that the humble who receive it are not a special group of Christians but every true believer.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:6 · King James Version (1769)
Peter wrote to believers facing hard trials. Rather than resist God’s hand, they were to accept it humbly and trust Him to lift them up at the right time, whether in this life or in the world to come.
Humility begins with seeing how great God is and how much we owe to His grace.