What the Bible says
What does the Bible say about pride?
Pride, exalting ourselves over God and others, lies at the root of much sin: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6), and everyone who exalts himself will be humbled (Luke 18:14); the remedy is not self-hatred but looking to Christ and counting others more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).
Key Bible verses about pride
- Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
- Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
- Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
- Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
- James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- 1 Peter 5:5
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.”
- Luke 18:14
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.”
- Romans 12:3
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.
- Philippians 2:3
doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
- Galatians 6:3
For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- 1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.
- Daniel 4:37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.
Scripture: World English Bible (public domain). Short quotations in the introduction are from the ESV. Read each passage in its chapter for the full context.