In today's fast-paced world, humility often takes a backseat as we chase success and recognition. Yet, it is through the lens of humility that we can truly find peace, strength, and wisdom. The Bible, a timeless source of wisdom, offers powerful insights into the virtue of being humble. This article explores biblical quotes about humility, broken down into ten themed sections with rich insights derived from 120 quotes. Let's delve into how humility can transform our lives, and why the Bible considers it essential for spiritual growth.
The Essence of Humility Quotes
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." - James 4:10
"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." - Matthew 23:12
"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:4
"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way." - Psalm 25:9
"Humility comes before honor." - Proverbs 15:33
"Humility is fear of the Lord; its wages are riches, honor, and life." - Proverbs 22:4
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5
"With humility comes wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2
"Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor." - Proverbs 29:23
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:29
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." - Philippians 2:3
"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." - James 4:6
Humility Leads to Wisdom Quotes
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2
"A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor." - Proverbs 29:23
"And those who walk in pride he is able to humble." - Daniel 4:37
"The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life." - Proverbs 22:4
"Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." - Proverbs 16:19
"Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." - Proverbs 18:12
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18
"A humble person is better than a liar." - Proverbs 19:22
"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." - Micah 6:8
"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception." - Proverbs 14:8
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" - James 4:6
"Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life." - Proverbs 22:4
Humility in Leadership Quotes
"But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant." - Matthew 20:26
"The greatest among you shall be your servant." - Matthew 23:11
"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." - Mark 10:43
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." - James 4:10
"In humility, value others above yourselves." - Philippians 2:3
"Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else." - Mark 9:35
"Serve one another humbly in love." - Galatians 5:13
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2
"Do not be wise in your own eyes." - Romans 12:16
"For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory." - Psalm 149:4
"Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips." - Proverbs 27:2
"Humility, that low, sweet root, from which all heavenly virtues shoot." - Thomas Moore
Humility and Spiritual Growth Quotes
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." - 1 Peter 5:6
"The meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity." - Psalm 37:11
"A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you." - C.S. Lewis
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." - James 4:10
"It is not with the outward show but with the inward modesty that God regards." - St. Francis de Sales
"True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less." - C.S. Lewis
"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." - Luke 14:11
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 18:14
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2
"God has shown you what is good; to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8
"The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground." - Psalm 147:6
Teachings of Jesus on Humility Quotes
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." - John 13:14
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45
"Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all." - Mark 9:35
"The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:28
"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back." - Luke 6:35
"The greatest among you must be a servant." - Matthew 23:11
"Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all." - Mark 9:35
"Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:3
"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me." - Matthew 18:5
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." - Matthew 20:26
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5
Old Testament Views on Humility Quotes
"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way." - Psalm 25:9
"Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud." - Psalm 138:6
"The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor." - Proverbs 15:33
"The LORD supports the humble but brings the wicked down into the dust." - Psalm 147:6
"Rejoice in their kingdom; they can find peace only in humility." - Isaiah 29:19
"Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud." - Proverbs 16:19
"Look on everyone that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked where they stand." - Job 40:12
"You have been found righteous in his sight through faith and humility." - Genesis 6:9
"You have given me the shield of your salvation and your right hand has supported me, your gentleness made me great." - 2 Samuel 22:36
"Blessed are those who regard justice, who practice righteousness at all times!" - Psalm 106:3
"A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight." - Proverbs 11:1
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last." - Matthew 20:16
Humility in Relationships Quotes
"Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." - 1 Peter 5:5
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil." - Proverbs 3:7
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." - Philippians 2:3
"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4
"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." - Romans 12:10
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." - 1 Peter 3:8
"Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor." - 1 Corinthians 10:24
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification." - Romans 14:19
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:13
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
Finding Strength in Humility Quotes
"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" - James 4:6
"Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time." - 1 Peter 5:6
"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless." - Isaiah 40:29
"The humble will see their God at work and be glad." - Psalm 69:32
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others." - 2 Corinthians 1:4
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18
"Even when I am weak, I am strong in Christ." - 2 Corinthians 12:10
"Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart." - Psalm 27:14
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." - Matthew 5:4
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." - Psalm 56:3
"Even youths will faint and be weary, and young men will fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength." - Isaiah 40:30-31
Humility vs. Pride Quotes
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2
"A proud person is always looking down on others." - C.S. Lewis
"Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor." - Proverbs 29:23
"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." - Luke 14:11
"Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." - Galatians 5:26
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18
"To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." - Proverbs 8:13
"Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin." - Proverbs 21:4
"Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise." - Proverbs 13:10
"There are no big people in God's community." - Galatians 3:28
"If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself." - Galatians 6:3
"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" - James 4:6
Living a Humble Life Quotes
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2
"Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." - Romans 14:19
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another." - Romans 13:8
"Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position." - Romans 12:16
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5
"Love one another deeply, from the heart." - 1 Peter 1:22
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." - John 15:13
"In humility value others above yourselves." - Philippians 2:3
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." - Romans 14:19
"Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another." - James 4:11
"For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." - Galatians 6:3
"The greatest among you will be your servant." - Matthew 23:11
Final words
Humility is a foundational theme across the Bible that is echoed through countless verses. It heralds wisdom, strengthens relationships, and guides us towards true leadership—servant leadership, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. Humility involves unselfishly accounting for the well-being of others, accepting our limitations, and being open to spiritual growth. Embracing humility is not about belittling oneself but rather fostering an attitude of service and learning. The dichotomy between pride and humility teaches us that elevation in life requires us to lower our barriers and elevate those around us. Ultimately, biblical teachings reveal that humility is more than just a virtue; it is a lifestyle that promises peace, grace, and honor. Reflecting on these teachings compels us to consider how we can embody this virtue to grow spiritually and bring positive changes to our lives and the world around us.