Humility is a rare and powerful virtue in our world that often glorifies the bold and self-promoting. These 150 Scriptures on humility invite you to explore biblical passages that highlight the transformative power of humility, guided by God’s wisdom. These verses enrich our spiritual lives and deepen our sense of humility before God. Dive into this collection with us and discover the quiet strength and peace that humility, through God, can bring.
Humility in Service
- Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
- Mark 9:35 – “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.'”
- John 13:14 – “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”
- Galatians 5:13 – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
- 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
- Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
- Matthew 20:26-27 – “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.”
- Luke 22:26 – “But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”
- 1 Peter 5:5 – “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”
Humility Before God
- James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
- Proverbs 22:4 – “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”
- Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
- Proverbs 3:34 – “He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.”
- Isaiah 66:2 – “Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being? declares the Lord. ‘These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.'”
- Psalm 149:4 – “For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”
- Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Humility in Leadership
- 1 Peter 5:2-3 – “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
- Philippians 2:5-7 – “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
- 2 Timothy 2:24-25 – “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”
- Titus 3:2 – “To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
- Luke 14:11 – “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
- Acts 20:19 – “Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews.”
- Matthew 20:28 – “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Proverbs 29:23 – “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
- Ephesians 4:2 – “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
- 1 Samuel 15:22 – “But Samuel replied: ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'”
Humility in Wisdom and Learning
- Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
- James 3:13 – “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
- Colossians 3:12 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
- Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
- Ecclesiastes 7:8 – “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”
- James 1:21 – “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
- Psalm 25:9 – “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
- Job 22:29 – “When men are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then he will save the downcast.”
- Psalm 37:11 – “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.”
Humility in Relationships
- Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4 – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
- Proverbs 17:9 – “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
- Philippians 2:14-15 – “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”
- Romans 14:13 – “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”
- 1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
- Proverbs 21:21 – “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.”
- James 4:11 – “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”
- Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Humility and Personal Growth
- Psalm 25:4-5 – “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
- James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
- 2 Chronicles 12:7 – “When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: ‘Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.'”
- Daniel 4:37 – “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
- Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”
- Luke 18:14 – “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
- Proverbs 19:20 – “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”
- Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
- Psalm 131:1 – “My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.”
- Proverbs 16:18-19 – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”
Humility and Repentance
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
- Daniel 9:4-5 – “I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: ‘Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.'”
- James 4:8-10 – “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
- 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- Luke 15:18-19 – “I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.'”
- Psalm 51:17 – “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
- Proverbs 28:13 – “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
- Acts 3:19 – “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
- Isaiah 57:15 – “For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.'”
- Joel 2:12-13 – “‘Even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.'”
Humility in Forgiveness
- Matthew 18:4 – “Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
- Ephesians 4:31-32 – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- Proverbs 21:24 – “The proud and arrogant person—’Mocker’ is his name—behaves with insolent fury.”
- Luke 17:3-4 – “So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
- Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
- Proverbs 19:11 – “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
- Matthew 5:23-24 – “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
- 2 Corinthians 2:7 – “Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.”
- Luke 6:37 – “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
- Matthew 7:1-2 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Humility in Speech and Communication
- James 1:19 – “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
- Proverbs 15:4 – “A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
- Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
- James 3:2 – “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
- Proverbs 10:19 – “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
- Colossians 4:6 – “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
- Proverbs 18:2 – “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”
Humility and Decision Making
- Proverbs 11:14 – “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
- Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
- James 1:5-6 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
- Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
- Proverbs 19:20-21 – “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
- Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- Psalm 37:5-6 – “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
- Proverbs 18:15 – “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.”
- Luke 14:28-30 – “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’”
- Proverbs 2:6 – “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Humility and Trust in God
- Psalm 147:6 – “The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”
- Proverbs 16:19 – “Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”
- Isaiah 2:11 – “The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”
- 2 Corinthians 11:7 – “Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?”
- Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
- Zephaniah 2:3 – “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.”
- Psalm 34:2 – “My soul will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear it and rejoice.”
- Isaiah 29:19 – “The humble will increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.”
- James 4:6 – “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”
- 1 Peter 5:6 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Humility in Trials and Adversity
- James 1:9-10 – “Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 – “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
- 1 Peter 4:12-13 – “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
- Hebrews 12:11 – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
- Romans 5:3-5 – “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
- Psalm 119:71 – “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 – “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 – “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
- Philippians 4:12-13 – “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- Proverbs 3:11-12 – “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”
Humility and Character Development
- Proverbs 18:12 – “Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
- Proverbs 27:2 – “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”
- Galatians 6:14 – “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
- Proverbs 25:6-7 – “Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, ‘Come up here,’ than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.”
- Romans 12:16 – “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
- Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
- Isaiah 13:11 – “I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.”
- 1 Samuel 2:3 – “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 – “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
Humility in Spiritual Growth and Understanding
- Ephesians 3:17-19 – “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
- Colossians 2:6-7 – “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
- 1 Peter 2:2 – “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
- Proverbs 8:13 – “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
- Jeremiah 45:5 – “Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.”
- Psalm 25:9 – “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
- 2 Chronicles 12:6-7 – “The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, ‘The Lord is just.’ When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: ‘Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.'”
- Proverbs 15:33 – “Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.”
- Daniel 10:12 – “Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.'”
Humility in Leadership and Service
- Matthew 23:11-12 – “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
- Luke 9:48 – “Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.'”
- Acts 20:28 – “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
- 1 Timothy 3:2-3 – “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
- Titus 1:7-9 – “Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.”
- Philippians 1:15-16 – “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.”
- 1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
- 2 Timothy 2:25 – “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”
- Titus 2:7-8 – “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
- 1 Corinthians 9:19 – “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.”
Humility and Trust in God’s Timing
- Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
- Psalm 37:7 – “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
- Habakkuk 2:3 – “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
- Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
- Psalm 130:5 – “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
- Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
- Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
- Lamentations 3:25-26 – “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
- Proverbs 16:32 – “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
- James 5:7-8 – “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”
Conclusion
Exploring these 150 Scriptures on humility reveals its profound impact on our lives, offering perspectives that ground and uplift our spirits. Reflecting on these verses provides guidance for living humbly and deepens our spiritual connections with God. Let the wisdom from the Scripture inspire us to embrace humility in all aspects of our lives.