Theme · ethical

Humility

Moses is called the meekest man on earth, and the Psalms promise that God lifts up the humble while resisting the proud. The prophets consistently link humility with true piety: 'Has not my hand made all these things? This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit.' Jesus washes his disciples' feet and teaches that the greatest in the kingdom is the servant of all. Paul's hymn in Philippians 2 presents Christ's self-emptying as the supreme pattern of humility — from the form of God to the form of a servant, obedient even to death on a cross.

Passages expressing this theme

1Pet 5:5 — 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.
1Pet 5:6 — Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
2Chr 7:14 — If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal
Col 3:12 — Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Isa 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 t
Isa 66:2 — For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Jas 4:6 — But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:10 — Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Matt 5:3 — Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:5 — Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Matt 11:29 — Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matt 18:4 — Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 20:26 — But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Matt 23:12 — And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Mic 6:8 — He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Num 12:3 — (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
Phil 2:3 — Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phil 2:5 — Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Phil 2:7 — But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Phil 2:8 — And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Prov 3:34 — Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Prov 11:2 — When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Prov 15:33 — The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Prov 16:19 — Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Prov 22:4 — By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.