Humility

General scriptures concerning

• Deuteronomy 9:4–29

  Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people. …

• Deuteronomy 15:15

  And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.

• Deuteronomy 32:7

  Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

• Job 5:11

  To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

• Job 22:29

  When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

• Job 25:5

  Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.

• Job 25:6

  How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

• Psalms 9:12

  When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

• Psalms 10:17

  LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

• Psalms 22:6

  But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

• Psalms 22:26

  The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

• Psalms 25:9

  The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

• Psalms 37:11

  But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

• Psalms 69:32

  The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.

• Psalms 86:1

  A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

• Psalms 131:1

  A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

• Psalms 131:2

  Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

• Psalms 138:6

  Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

• Psalms 147:6

  The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

• Proverbs 3:34

  Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

• Proverbs 10:8

  The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

• Proverbs 11:2

  When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

• Proverbs 12:15

  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

• Proverbs 15:33

  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

• Proverbs 16:19

  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

• Proverbs 18:12

  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

• Proverbs 22:4

  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

• Proverbs 25:6

  Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

• Proverbs 25:7

  For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

• Proverbs 27:2

  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

• Proverbs 29:23

  A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

• Proverbs 30:32

  If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

• Ecclesiastes 5:2

  Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

• Isaiah 29:19

  The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

• Isaiah 51:1

  Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

• 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.

• Isaiah 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.

• Jeremiah 45:5

  And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

• Ezekiel 16:63

  That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

• Micah 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?

• Zephaniah 3:11

  In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

• Zephaniah 3:12

  I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

• Matthew 5:3

  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• Matthew 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.

• Matthew 18:2–4

  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

• Matthew 20:26

  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

• Matthew 20:27

  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

• Matthew 23:12

  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

• Mark 9:33–37

  And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. …

• Mark 10:43

  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

• Mark 10:44

  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

• Luke 1:52

  He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

• Luke 9:46–48

  Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

• Luke 10:21

  In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

• Luke 14:10

  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

• Luke 14:11

  For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

• Luke 17:10

  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

• Luke 18:13

  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.

• Luke 18:14

  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.

• Luke 22:24–27

  And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. …

• John 13:14–16

  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

• Romans 11:18

  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

• Romans 11:20

  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

• Romans 11:25

  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

• 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.

• Romans 12:10

  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

• Romans 12:16

  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

• 1 Corinthians 1:28

  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

• 1 Corinthians 1:29

  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

• 1 Corinthians 2:1–3

  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

• 1 Corinthians 3:18

  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

• 1 Corinthians 10:12

  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

• 1 Corinthians 13:4

  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

• 2 Corinthians 11:30

  If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

• 2 Corinthians 12:5–12

  Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. …

• Galatians 5:26

  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

• Galatians 6:14

  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

• Ephesians 4:2

  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

• Ephesians 5:21

  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

• Philippians 2:3–11

  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. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: …

• Colossians 3:12

  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

• James 1:9

  Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

• James 1:10

  But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

• James 1:19

  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

• James 3:1

  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

• James 4:6

  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

• James 4:10

  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

• 1 Peter 5:3

  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

• 1 Peter 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.

• 1 Peter 5:6

  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Exemplified

• Genesis 18:27

  And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

• Genesis 18:32

  And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.

• Genesis 32:10

  I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

• Genesis 41:16

  And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

• Exodus 3:11

  And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

• Exodus 4:10

  And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

• 2 Samuel 7:18

  Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

• 2 Samuel 7:19

  And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?

• 1 Kings 3:7

  And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

• 1 Chronicles 17:17

  And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.

• 1 Chronicles 29:14

  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

• 2 Chronicles 1:10

  Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

• 2 Chronicles 2:6

  But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?

• Ezra 9:13

  And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;

• Job 7:17

  What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

• Job 7:18

  And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?

• Job 9:14

  How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?

• Job 9:15

  Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.

• Job 10:15

  If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;

• Job 33:6

  Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

• Job 40:4

  Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

• Job 40:5

  Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

• Job 42:4–6

  Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

• Psalms 8:3

  When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

• Psalms 8:4

  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

• Psalms 73:22

  So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

• Psalms 131:1

  A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

• Psalms 131:2

  Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

• Psalms 141:5

  Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

• Psalms 144:3

  LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

• Psalms 144:4

  Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.

• Proverbs 30:2

  Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.

• Proverbs 30:3

  I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

• Isaiah 6:5

  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

• Isaiah 38:15

  What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.

• Jeremiah 1:6

  Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

• Jeremiah 10:23

  O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

• Jeremiah 10:24

  O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

• Daniel 2:30

  But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

• Matthew 3:14

  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

• Matthew 8:8

  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

• Matthew 15:27

  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

• Matthew 25:37–40

  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? …

• Luke 7:6

  Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

• Luke 7:7

  Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

• John 1:27

  He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

• John 3:29

  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

• John 3:30

  He must increase, but I must decrease.

• Acts 3:12

  And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

• Romans 7:18

  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

• 1 Corinthians 15:9

  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

• 1 Corinthians 15:10

  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

• 2 Corinthians 3:5

  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

• 2 Corinthians 12:7

  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

• Ephesians 3:8

  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

• Philippians 3:12

  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

• Philippians 3:13

  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

• Philippians 4:12

  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

• 1 Timothy 1:15

  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

• Revelation 4:10

  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Instances of