The Bible teaches that God lifts up the humble and opposes the proud (James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:5-6). Humility means esteeming others better than yourself (Philippians 2:3-4), following Jesus' example (Philippians 2:5-8), and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8). "Pride goeth before destruction" (Proverbs 16:18).
Humility is not thinking poorly of yourself; it is seeing yourself rightly before God and making room for others. These ten KJV verses show what humility is and why it matters.
God lifts the humble
1. James 4:10
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
A promise attached to a command: humble yourself, and God will do the lifting.
2. 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:"
Peter quotes Proverbs 3:34: God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Humility before God leads to being exalted "in due time."
3. Matthew 23:12
"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
Jesus' principle of reversal: self-exaltation leads down, humility leads up.
Jesus, our example
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."
The great hymn of Christ's humility: though in the form of God, He took the form of a servant and obeyed to the point of death on a cross.
5. 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."
Do nothing from selfish ambition or vanity; value others and look to their interests too.
6. Colossians 3:12
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;"
Humbleness of mind is part of the clothing God's people are told to put on.
Wisdom about pride
7. Proverbs 11:2
"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."
Pride leads to shame; wisdom is found with the lowly.
8. Proverbs 16:18
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
Often misquoted as "pride comes before a fall." The KJV reads "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
9. Proverbs 22:4
"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life."
Humility and the fear of the LORD bring true riches, honor, and life.
10. 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?"
One of the Old Testament's great summaries: do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.
A short prayer
Lord Jesus, You humbled Yourself for me. Show me where pride has taken root in my heart. Help me value others, serve without needing credit, and walk humbly with You today. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
[Download our free SOAP study page | Get the 30-page SOAP Bible Study Journal]
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about humility?
God gives grace to the humble and resists the proud (1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6). Believers are called to humble themselves (James 4:10) and follow Jesus' example (Philippians 2:5-8).
Where does it say "pride comes before a fall"?
Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
What is the best example of humility in the Bible?
Jesus, who "humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:8). He also washed His disciples' feet (John 13).
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about patience · fruit of the Spirit Bible verses · love Bible verses
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
