Humility and grace are foundational virtues emphasized throughout the Bible. These virtues shape the character of believers and guide their interactions with God and others. Humility involves recognizing one’s dependence on God and acknowledging the worth of others, while grace reflects God’s unmerited favor and kindness towards humanity.
This compilation of 30 Bible verses about humility and grace, accompanied by detailed commentaries, aims to explore the profound teachings and insights derived from these essential qualities.
Bible verses about humility and grace
Proverbs 3:34 (NKJV):
“Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.”
Proverbs 3:34 draws a clear connection between God’s favor (grace) and the posture of humility. It underscores that those who approach God with humility receive His abundant grace.
James 4:6 (NKJV):
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”
James 4:6 echoes the sentiment found in Proverbs, emphasizing God’s resistance to the proud and His inclination to pour out grace upon the humble.
1 Peter 5:5 (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.'”
1 Peter 5:5 reinforces the biblical principle of humility, extending it to interpersonal relationships. It encourages mutual submission and underscores the connection between humility and receiving God’s grace.
Philippians 2:3 (NKJV):
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
Philippians 2:3 urges believers to cultivate a mindset of humility, prioritizing the well-being of others over selfish desires. It promotes a humble perspective that aligns with the teachings of Christ.
Colossians 3:12 (NKJV):
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.”
Colossians 3:12 instructs believers to actively incorporate humility into their lives, positioning it as a virtue to be intentionally embraced along with other qualities indicative of a Christlike character.
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?”
Micah 6:8 succinctly outlines the divine expectation for humanity—acting justly, showing mercy, and walking in humble communion with God. It encapsulates the essence of a humble and grace-filled life.
Matthew 23:12 (NKJV):
“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:12 echoes a recurring theme in the Bible—the reversal of fortune based on one’s posture toward humility. It teaches that true exaltation comes from a humble heart.
Ephesians 4:2 (NKJV):
“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2 places humility at the forefront of Christian virtues, urging believers to demonstrate lowliness, gentleness, and patience in their relationships, all underpinned by love.
Luke 14:11 (NKJV):
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 14:11 reiterates the principle of divine exaltation for the humble and humbling for the proud. It reinforces the consistent biblical message regarding the value of humility.
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.”
Zephaniah 2:3 intertwines seeking the Lord with the pursuit of righteousness and humility. It frames humility as a refuge in the face of God’s impending judgment.
Psalm 149:4 (NKJV):
“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.”
Psalm 149:4 illustrates God’s delight in the humble, associating humility with the adornment of salvation. It conveys the notion that salvation is a divine embellishment for the humble heart.
Matthew 5:5 (NKJV):
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5, part of the Beatitudes, extols the virtue of meekness, closely related to humility. It promises a significant inheritance for those characterized by this humble disposition.
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.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 outlines a divine response to humble repentance, underscoring the transformative power of humility in paving the way for forgiveness and healing.
Psalm 25:9 (NKJV):
“The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.”
Psalm 25:9 highlights God’s guidance and instruction as specifically extended to the humble. It establishes humility as a receptive posture for divine teaching.
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.”
1 Corinthians 1:28-29 underscores God’s counterintuitive selection of the humble and despised, diminishing human boasting. It emphasizes the divine preference for humility over worldly pride.
Proverbs 16:19 (NKJV):
“Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Proverbs 16:19 contrasts the benefits of humility and the pitfalls of pride. It suggests that sharing in the lowly state is more favorable than the ill-gotten gains of the proud.
Philippians 2:8-9 (NKJV):
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.”
Philippians 2:8-9 presents the ultimate model of humility in the self-emptying of Christ. It underscores that divine exaltation follows profound humility and obedience.
Romans 12:3 (NKJV):
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
Romans 12:3 advises against arrogant self-evaluation and encourages sober self-assessment. It aligns with the concept that humility involves a realistic understanding of one’s position in light of God’s grace.
James 1:21 (NKJV):
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
James 1:21 connects meekness (a quality associated with humility) with the ability of God’s Word to bring about salvation. It underscores the receptivity of a humble heart to the transformative power of God’s truth.
Bible verses about humility and grace
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.'”
Isaiah 57:15 portrays God’s preference for dwelling with the humble and contrite. It emphasizes divine revival and restoration as outcomes of a humble spirit.
Matthew 18:4 (NKJV):
“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:4 uses the imagery of a child to illustrate the humility required for greatness in the kingdom of heaven. It emphasizes the simplicity and trust inherent in childlike humility.
Psalm 147:6 (NKJV):
“The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.”
Psalm 147:6 emphasizes God’s active role in lifting up the humble and humbling the wicked. It reinforces the biblical principle that God honors and exalts the humble.
Colossians 2:18 (NKJV):
“Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”
Colossians 2:18 warns against false humility and highlights the danger of being led astray by deceptive practices. It underscores the importance of genuine humility grounded in truth.
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.”
Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, including gentleness, a quality closely related to humility. It emphasizes that genuine humility is a manifestation of the Spirit’s transformative work.
Job 22:29 (NKJV):
“When they cast you down, and you say, ‘Exaltation will come!’ Then He will save the humble person.”
Job 22:29 envisions a scenario where the humble confidently anticipates exaltation even in the face of adversity. It underscores God’s commitment to saving the humble.
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.”
Psalm 45:4 associates divine prosperity with truth, humility, and righteousness. It portrays humility as an essential component of God’s triumphant journey.
Ephesians 3:8 (NKJV):
“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”
Ephesians 3:8 reflects the apostle Paul’s humble self-perception, attributing his ministry to the grace given to him. It serves as an example of humility in service to God.
1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV):
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”
1 Timothy 6:6 associates contentment with great gain, highlighting the spiritual wealth found in a humble and satisfied heart.
Psalm 131:1 (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.”
Psalm 131:1 expresses the psalmist’s humility before God, acknowledging a heart free from pride and a focus on matters within the scope of divine understanding.
Luke 1:52 (NKJV):
“He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.”
Luke 1:52, part of Mary’s Magnificat, highlights God’s tendency to bring down the proud and elevate the humble. It encapsulates the consistent biblical theme of divine reversal based on humility.
Conclusion: Bible verses about humility and grace
This compilation of 30 Bible verses about humility and grace, accompanied by detailed commentaries, provides a comprehensive exploration of the biblical teachings on these essential virtues. Throughout the Scriptures, humility is consistently presented as a foundational posture that invites God’s grace and favor.
The commentaries delve into the nuances of each verse, offering insights into the cultural context, theological implications, and practical applications of humility and grace in the lives of believers. As readers engage with these verses and reflections, may they be inspired to cultivate humility and embrace the transformative grace that flows from a humble heart.
Read: Powerful Bible verses about guidance (With Biblical Commentary)