Humility, a virtue often extolled in the Bible, stands as a foundational principle in the Christian faith. It involves an acknowledgment of one’s dependence on God, a modest estimation of oneself, and a willingness to serve others. In this compilation, we explore 30 Bible verses about humility, each accompanied by a commentary.
As readers reflect on these verses, may they be inspired to cultivate a spirit of humility in their lives, mirroring the example set by Christ.
Bible verses about humility
Proverbs 22:4 (NKJV):
“By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.”
Commentary: Proverbs 22:4 establishes humility and reverence for the Lord as pathways to spiritual wealth, honor, and life. This verse challenges individuals to recognize the profound connection between humility and the abundance of God’s blessings.
Matthew 18:4 (NKJV):
“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Commentary: Matthew 18:4 presents the humility of a child as the exemplar for greatness in the kingdom of heaven. This verse challenges believers to embrace childlike humility, characterized by trust, dependence, and an unassuming spirit.
James 4:10 (NKJV):
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Commentary: James 4:10 issues a direct call to humble oneself before the Lord, with the promise of divine exaltation. This verse challenges individuals to actively engage in the process of humility, trusting in God’s faithfulness to lift them up in due time.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV):
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.”
Commentary: Philippians 2:3-4 outlines the essence of humility by discouraging selfishness and promoting the prioritization of others. This verse challenges believers to foster a mindset that places the needs and interests of others above their own, embodying the selfless humility exemplified by Christ.
1 Peter 5:5-6 (NKJV):
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”
Commentary: 1 Peter 5:5-6 emphasizes the communal aspect of humility and the promise of God’s favor to the humble. This passage challenges believers to submit to one another in humility, recognizing God’s aversion to pride and His readiness to exalt those who humble themselves under His authority.
Colossians 3:12 (NKJV):
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.”
Commentary: Colossians 3:12 exhorts believers to clothe themselves in humility along with other virtues, portraying it as an essential aspect of Christian character. This verse challenges individuals to intentionally cultivate humility as they navigate relationships and express the love of Christ.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV):
“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Commentary: 2 Chronicles 7:14 highlights the transformative power of humility in the context of repentance and restoration. This verse challenges believers to recognize the role of humility in seeking God’s forgiveness and healing for individuals and communities.
Micah 6:8 (NKJV):
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
Commentary: Micah 6:8 encapsulates the essence of godly living by including walking humbly with God as a fundamental requirement. This verse challenges individuals to align their lives with justice, mercy, and humble companionship with God.
Luke 14:11 (NKJV):
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Commentary: Luke 14:11 presents a principle echoed by Jesus throughout the Gospels—the exalted will be humbled, and the humble will be exalted. This verse challenges individuals to embrace humility as a pathway to divine exaltation, trusting in God’s sovereign order.
Zephaniah 2:3 (NKJV):
“Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the Lord’s anger.”
Commentary: Zephaniah 2:3 intertwines seeking the Lord with righteousness and humility, suggesting that humility provides a refuge in the day of the Lord’s anger. This verse challenges believers to actively pursue humility as a shelter amid divine judgment.
Ephesians 4:2 (NKJV):
“with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”
Commentary: Ephesians 4:2 connects humility with virtues such as gentleness, patience, and love, emphasizing its role in fostering harmonious relationships within the body of Christ. This verse challenges individuals to embrace humility as a catalyst for unity and mutual support.
Matthew 23:12 (NKJV):
“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Commentary: Matthew 23:12 echoes the principle previously stated by Jesus, reinforcing the divine order that exalts the humble and humbles the exalted. This verse challenges individuals to internalize the inevitability of divine exaltation when humility becomes their posture.
Psalm 25:9 (NKJV):
“The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.”
Commentary: Psalm 25:9 highlights the divine guidance and instruction extended to the humble. This verse challenges believers to embrace humility as a posture that invites God’s guidance and illuminates His path for their lives.
Psalm 147:6 (NKJV):
“The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.”
Commentary: Psalm 147:6 underscores God’s proactive role in lifting up the humble and bringing down the wicked. This verse challenges individuals to trust in God’s justice, relying on His sovereign interventions on behalf of the humble.
Isaiah 57:15 (NKJV):
“For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.'”
Commentary: Isaiah 57:15 portrays God as dwelling with the humble and contrite, emphasizing His commitment to revive and restore those with humble hearts. This verse challenges individuals to cultivate contrition and humility, positioning themselves for divine renewal.
Psalm 34:18 (NKJV):
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
Commentary: Psalm 34:18 assures the nearness and salvation of the Lord to those with a broken and contrite spirit. This verse challenges believers to approach God with humility and a repentant heart, experiencing the closeness and deliverance He offers.
Proverbs 15:33 (NKJV):
“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.”
Commentary: Proverbs 15:33 links the fear of the Lord with the wisdom that instructs, highlighting humility as the precursor to honor. This verse challenges individuals to recognize the wisdom embedded in fearing the Lord and embracing humility on the journey toward honorable recognition.
Psalm 149:4 (NKJV):
“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.”
Commentary: Psalm 149:4 depicts God’s pleasure in His people and His act of adorning the humble with salvation. This verse challenges believers to understand that humility becomes a canvas upon which God paints the beauty of His redemptive work.
Isaiah 66:2 (NKJV):
“For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,’ Says the Lord. ‘But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.'”
Commentary: Isaiah 66:2 describes God’s gaze fixed on the one with a contrite spirit who trembles at His word. This verse challenges individuals to cultivate a reverence for God’s Word and maintain a humble posture that draws His attention.
Psalm 45:4 (NKJV):
“And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness; And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things.”
Commentary: Psalm 45:4 associates prosperity, truth, humility, and righteousness, envisioning a majestic procession guided by these virtues. This verse challenges believers to recognize the inherent connection between humility and the prosperity that accompanies God’s truth and righteousness.
Matthew 5:5 (NKJV):
“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.”
Commentary: Matthew 5:5 pronounces a blessing on the meek, promising them an inheritance of the earth. This verse challenges individuals to embrace meekness, a quality intertwined with humility, as a pathway to divine favor and inheritance.
Romans 12:16 (NKJV):
“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
Commentary: Romans 12:16 advises believers to adopt a mindset of unity, humility, and avoiding arrogance. This verse challenges individuals to prioritize harmony with others, especially those characterized by humility, while eschewing the pitfalls of self-conceit.
Matthew 11:29 (NKJV):
“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.”
Commentary: Matthew 11:29 invites individuals to learn from Jesus, who models gentleness and lowliness of heart. This verse challenges believers to emulate the humility of Christ, discovering the rest and peace that flow from such a disposition.
1 Corinthians 1:28-29 (NKJV):
“and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
Commentary: 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 underscores God’s preference for the humble and despised, nullifying the boasting of the proud. This verse challenges individuals to acknowledge their dependence on God, recognizing that He exalts the humble and frustrates human pride.
Bible verses about humility
Psalm 131:1-2 (NKJV):
“Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
Commentary: Psalm 131:1-2 depicts a heart free from haughtiness and eyes devoid of lofty aspirations. This passage challenges individuals to embrace simplicity and contentment, finding solace and tranquility in a humble dependence on God.
Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV):
“submitting to one another in the fear of God.”
Commentary: Ephesians 5:21 introduces the concept of mutual submission, rooted in the fear of God. This verse challenges believers to practice humility through submitting to one another, fostering an environment of respect and reverence for God.
Philippians 3:3 (NKJV):
“For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
Commentary: Philippians 3:3 delineates the true worshipers—those who find their confidence not in the flesh but in God. This verse challenges individuals to divest themselves of misplaced self-reliance, embracing humility as the foundation of authentic worship.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV):
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Commentary: Galatians 5:22-23 presents humility as a component of the fruit of the Spirit, intertwining it with love, gentleness, and self-control. This passage challenges believers to cultivate humility through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, resulting in a Christlike character.
Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV):
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
Commentary: Isaiah 61:1 introduces the Spirit-anointed mission of proclaiming good tidings and delivering the oppressed. This verse challenges individuals to align their lives with the Spirit’s empowering, fostering a humble commitment to serving the brokenhearted and captive.
John 13:14-15 (NKJV):
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”
Commentary: John 13:14-15 captures Jesus’ act of washing His disciples’ feet, illustrating servant leadership rooted in humility. This verse challenges believers to emulate Christ’s example, engaging in humble service and demonstrating love through selfless actions.
Bible verses about humility
In conclusion, these 30 Bible verses about humility offer a comprehensive exploration of the scriptural teachings on this essential virtue. Each verse, accompanied by a commentary, encourages believers to embrace humility as a transformative force in their relationship with God and others.
May this compilation inspire a deepened commitment to walking humbly, following the example set by Christ, and experiencing the abundant blessings promised to the humble in God’s Word.
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