Bible verses about humility
Philippians 2:3-4, James 4:10 and 1 Peter 5:5-6 are the verses most people cite for humility. They ask you to put others first, to bow low before God, and to wear humility with other people. All twelve verses are below in full.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Philippians 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
In the World English Bible
doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Count others as more important and look out for their interests. Hard on an ordinary Tuesday.
2.James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
In the World English Bible
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.
A short call to bow low before God. Lifting up is left to him, not to you.
3.1 Peter 5:5-6
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
In the World English Bible
Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility and subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,
Peter tells younger people to respect elders and everyone to put on humility toward each other.
4.Philippians 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
In the World English Bible
Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.
Paul describes Jesus giving up status to serve and die. The model he holds up for humility.
5.Proverbs 22:4
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
In the World English Bible
The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.
The proverb links humility and reverence with good things like honor and life. A pattern, not a guarantee.
6.Matthew 23:11-12
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
In the World English Bible
But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Jesus flips greatness: the biggest person among you is the servant.
7.Proverbs 11:2
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
In the World English Bible
When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
Pride arrives, then shame, while the humble find wisdom. Short and fairly dry.
8.Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
In the World English Bible
For I say through the grace that was given me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
Think of yourself with sober judgment, not inflated. Paul says it to everyone.
9.Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
In the World English Bible
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
First line of the Beatitudes. Poor in spirit means knowing you need God.
10.Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
In the World English Bible
For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
God lives in a high place and with the humble person too. An odd and moving pairing.
11.Luke 18:13-14
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
In the World English Bible
But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
A tax collector beats his chest and asks for mercy. Jesus says he went home right with God.
12.Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
In the World English Bible
The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
Reverence teaches wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
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Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about humility?
Philippians 2:3-4 is a good place to start. Count others as more important and look out for their interests. Hard on an ordinary Tuesday.
What does the Bible mean by humility?
Philippians 2:3-4 describes it as valuing others and looking out for their interests. Romans 12:3 adds an honest view of yourself. Humility here is about accurate self-assessment, and nothing there says to think you are worthless.
Is humility a weakness?
Philippians 2:5-8 presents Jesus choosing to serve, which the passage treats as strength under control. Moses is described as very humble in Numbers 12:3, and he led a nation.
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Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.