Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8276 humility
An attitude of lowliness and obedience, grounded in the recognition of one's status before God as his creatures.
God commands humility
Micah 6:8; James 4:10; 1 Peter 3:8 See also Exodus 10:3; Proverbs 16:19; Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 58:5; Zephaniah 2:3; Luke 14:9-11; Romans 12:3 sober assessment of oneself; 1 Corinthians 1:28; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; Titus 3:2; James 3:13; 1 Peter 5:5
God exalts the humble
Luke 1:52 See also 2 Samuel 7:8; 1 Kings 14:7
Believers should humble themselves before God
2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Peter 5:6 See also 2 Samuel 22:28
Humility linked with repentance:
1 Kings 21:29; 2 Kings 22:19; 2 Chronicles 12:6-7,12; 2 C 11; 2 C 12,19; 2 C 27
Humility linked with God's favour:
Psalm 18:27; Psalm 25:9; Psalm 138:6; Psalm 147:6; Psalm 149:4; Proverbs 3:34; Proverbs 18:12; James 4:6; Isaiah 29:19; Isaiah 38:15; Isaiah 57:15; Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 22:4 Psalm 35:13; Jeremiah 44:10 lack of humility linked with disobedience
God humbles his people to renew and restore them
Psalm 44:9 See also Leviticus 26:41; Deuteronomy 8:2,16; 1 Kings 11:39; 2 Chronicles 28:19; Psalm 107:39; Isaiah 9:1; 2 Corinthians 12:21
God humbles the proud
Luke 18:14 See also 1 Samuel 2:7; Isaiah 2:11,17; Isaiah 5:15; Isaiah 13:11; Isaiah 23:9; Isaiah 25:11; Isaiah 26:5; Daniel 4:37
Examples of humble people
Outstanding individuals
Genesis 32:10 Jacob; Genesis 41:16 Joseph; Numbers 12:3 Moses; 1 Samuel 9:21 Saul
David:
1 Samuel 18:18; 2 Samuel 7:18 1 Kings 3:7 Solomon; Daniel 2:30 Daniel; Matthew 3:14 John the Baptist; Luke 1:43 Elizabeth; Luke 1:48 Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ
Paul:
1 Timothy 1:15; Acts 20:19
Other examples
2 Samuel 16:4; Proverbs 6:3; Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 16:19; Proverbs 29:23; Daniel 5:22; Matthew 8:8; Matthew 15:27; Matthew 18:4
The example of Jesus Christ
Philippians 2:5-8
The humility of Jesus Christ foretold:
Isaiah 53:3-5,7-8; Zechariah 9:9 pp Matthew 21:5 pp John 12:15 Matthew 11:29; Matthew 20:28; Luke 22:26-27; John 13:4; 2 Corinthians 8:9
See also
2036 Christ, humility 4050 dust 5146 covering 5161 kneeling 5793 arrogance 5801 brokenness 5813 conceit 6121 boasting 8305 meekness 8308 modesty 8754 fear 8802 pride
