Humility is a core value that guides individuals to lead lives filled with grace and empathy. The Bible offers rich insights into the principles of humbleness, threaded through quotes that inspire reflection and growth. This article explores such biblical wisdom, presented under ten compelling subheadings, each with twelve insightful quotes. Dive into this exploration, allowing these age-old teachings to transform your perceptions, influence your actions, and deepen your spiritual journey. Humbleness beckons us to see beyond ourselves, reminding us of our shared humanity and the wisdom that humbles the human heart.
Quotes on Humble Beginnings
"But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." - Matthew 19:30
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." - James 4:10
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 18:14
"Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great." - Proverbs 25:6
"The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is riches, honor, and life." - Proverbs 22:4
"It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud." - Proverbs 16:19
"So the last will be first, and the first last." - Matthew 20:16
"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." - Luke 14:11
"Nor did I bow my knee in prayer for earth's glory, but always to the Lord above, the Father of all things." - Ezekiel 21:26
"People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed." - Proverbs 13:13-14
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you." - 1 Peter 5:6
"Better to be lowly in spirit with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." - Proverbs 16:19
Quotes on Humility as Strength
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
"He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble." - Proverbs 3:34
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." - Proverbs 27:2
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5
"The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor." - Proverbs 15:33
"Though the Lord is on high, He looks upon the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar." - Psalm 138:6
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8
"He who walks in pride he is able to put down." - Daniel 4:37
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." - Isaiah 40:30-31
"The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged." - Psalm 69:32
Quotes on Humility in Love
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." - 1 Corinthians 13:4
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." - Philippians 2:3
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." - 1 Corinthians 13:1
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." - Colossians 3:12
"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." - Proverbs 3:3
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you." - Psalm 143:8
"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs." - Proverbs 10:12
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." - Romans 12:9
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." - Romans 13:8
Quotes on Humility and Leadership
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave." - Matthew 20:26-27
"To lead others, walk behind them." - John 13:14
"An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach." - 1 Timothy 3:2
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness." - Galatians 6:1
"Teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You." - Psalm 51:13
"Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral foundation." - Proverbs 16:12
"Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." - Proverbs 11:14
"Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching." - 1 Timothy 5:17
"Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute." - Psalm 82:3
"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." - Proverbs 29:18 (paraphrased)
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4
"A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops." - Proverbs 28:3
Quotes on Humility in Service
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." - Galatians 5:13
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." - Mark 10:43
"Let's not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:28
"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people." - Ephesians 6:7
"And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." - Mark 10:44
"For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." - Hebrews 6:10
"The greatest among you will be your servant." - Matthew 23:11
"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." - Proverbs 11:25
"You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am." - John 13:13
Quotes on Humility in Forgiveness
"But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." - Matthew 6:15
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32
"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." - Matthew 6:12
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' - Matthew 18:21
"Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots." - Luke 23:34
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14
"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." - Ephesians 4:26
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." - Matthew 5:7
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them." - Romans 12:14
Quotes on Humility and Gratitude
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." - 1 Chronicles 16:34
"In everything, give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." - Psalm 9:1
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:15
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." - Colossians 4:2
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” - Psalm 107:1
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17
"I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High." - Psalm 7:17
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." - Psalm 100:4
"Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind." - Psalm 107:8
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." - Colossians 3:16
Quotes on Humility Before God
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time." - 1 Peter 5:6
"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." - Matthew 23:12
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7
"Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." - James 4:10
"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
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." - Psalm 73:25
"But the one who is noble, make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand." - Isaiah 32:8
"He must become greater; I must become less." - John 3:30
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18
"Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." - Proverbs 18:12
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5
Quotes on Humility in Speech
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - Colossians 4:6
"Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble." - Proverbs 21:23
"For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." - Matthew 12:37
"The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse." - Proverbs 10:32
"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." - Proverbs 21:23
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification." - Ephesians 4:29
"Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." - Proverbs 16:24
"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - Proverbs 15:1
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." - Proverbs 18:21
"Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." - Proverbs 13:3
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." - James 1:19
"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." - Matthew 15:18
Quotes on Humility as a Way of Life
"And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
"The greatest among you must be a servant." - Matthew 23:11
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." - Ephesians 2:8
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap." - Luke 6:38
"May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my rock and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14
"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 meek shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord!" - Psalm 22:26
"The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground." - Psalm 147:6
"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground." - Psalm 143:10
"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." - Isaiah 57:15
"You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God." - 1 Peter 1:23
"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage." - Psalm 84:5
Final words
In traversing through these biblical quotes centered around humbleness, we are reminded of the pivotal role humility plays in various aspects of life—be it leadership, service, forgiveness, or gratitude. Each quote serves as a gentle echo of the virtue that transcends time and culture, bearing the wisdom to influence our motives and actions. Humility is not self-erasure but a path to authentic living, where one's strength and wisdom are drawn not from self-worth alone but through relationships with others and the divine. Let us adopt these teachings to foster a society that thrives on empathy, understanding, and resilience. As we embrace humility, we are capable of unlocking deeper connections and discovering true harmony within our spiritual journey and everyday life.