25 Bible Verses About Putting Others First (With Commentary)
In today’s increasingly competitive world it can be difficult to find the time and energy to put other people first.
We are often taught from a young age that if you want something, you need to make sure that your own needs come first before anyone else’s but in order for us all to live harmoniously together as a community, it is essential that we learn how best meet each other’s needs without expecting anything in return.
The Bible has many verses about putting others before yourself and today we will look at some of these examples so as gain insight on how we can better serve our fellow man.
Bible Verses About Putting Others First
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of selflessness and putting the needs of others before our own. We must not be driven by selfish ambitions but focus on humility and lifting up others.
Matthew 20:26-27
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.”
Jesus sets an example of service that is worth emulating. As Christians, we must humble ourselves and consider serving others as a path to greatness.
Mark 10:44-45
“Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Once again, this verse highlights the need for servants’ hearts and service before self. Even Jesus exemplified this by coming as a servant though He could have easily come otherwise.
Galatians 5:13
“For you have been called to live in freedom—not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.”
Freedom must not lead us astray into satisfying our selfish desires; instead, we should use it as an opportunity to serve those around us in love.
Romans 12:10
“Outdo one another in showing honor.”
This verse encourages Christians to display honor towards each other while outdoing each other. It’s a challenge to uplift people in word and deed instead of tearing them down.
1 Peter 4:10
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
God has bestowed unique gifts on us which we can serve others by using. In this way, we are utilising God-most talents while also providing help to others.
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this than he lay down his life for his friends.”
This verse talks about the selflessness involved in laying down their lives for the sake of friends. Jesus demonstrated supreme love by giving up His life for mankind.
1 John 3:16-17
“By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
Here again, Christ’s sacrificial attitude serves as a model for Christians to follow. We can’t say that we have truly understood His love if we don’t extend it to one another.
Romans 12:13
“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
By being hospitable and contributing towards meeting other people’s needs freely without any expectations or hidden agendas keep our hearts free from selfishness.
Ephesians 4:2
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience bearing with one another in love.”
This verse emphasizes on Christ-like traits such as humility gentleness as well as forbearance which stem from agape-love (sacrificial) towards others.
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
This verse encourages us to work with a Christ-centered mindset without expecting any personal gains and seeking to serve God in all we do.
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Our actions can speak louder than our words, and we must live a life that reflects the glory of God by serving others selflessly.
Philippians 2:7
“But made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
Jesus’ life exemplified servanthood. He chose to be born as a man and came in the form of a servant.
Mark 12:30-31
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The most significant commands from Jesus mandate that we must love those around us deeply after loving God wholeheartedly.
Luke 10:27
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
This verse emphasizes on seeing our neighbors as ourselves since everyone we encounter are created in His divine image.
Romans 15:1
“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
Those who are strong should work alongside those who aren’t yet strong. Eventually you will be able help them grow stronger by walking ahead or alongside them while they improve.
Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
This verse essentially commands Christians to be interdependent and purposefully mindful of shouldering each other’s burdens.
Romans 12:16
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
This verse requires Christians to live together, working well towards the same objectives while not judging each other based on worldly stimuli or prideful ways.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
The fruit of the Holy Spirit expresses how we must selflessly serve others by demonstrating Christ-like character traits.
Isaiah 58:10
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as noonday.”
When we serve others in humility with a servants’ heart according to God’s will is when we experience God’s blessings.
James 2:14-17
“What good is it, my brothers if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food and one of you says to them “Go in peace ,be warmed and filled,” without giving them what they need for their body, what good is that? So also faith by itself ,if it does not have works ,is dead.”
In this verse James teaches that having faith should go hand-in-hand with good deeds since serving others like Jesus would do proves our true love for God through actions.
Proverbs 11:25
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
As we serve others with the right heart and mindset, we bless others. And as we bless others, eventually it’s us who gets blessed too.
Hebrews 10:24
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”
This verse calls Christians to build up each other to selflessly perform good deeds and spread love around.
Philippians 2:1-2
“If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
Christians must be of one mind concerning serving others by demonstrating humility, agape-love for all those around us as we flow with the Spirit.
Matthew 23:11
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.”
Jesus reiterates that only by serving others with a genuine heart could we ever hope to become great. Otherwise life ends up being about being self-centered by fulfilling personal desires and growing more distant from God.
Final Thoughts
The Bible teaches us that Christian living involves putting others first. This selflessness and humility build strong relationships with others and with God. When we love and serve our neighbors, we fulfill Jesus’ commandment to love one another as ourselves.
However, it’s important to note that putting others first doesn’t mean neglecting our own needs or desires. It means prioritizing the needs of others and seeking to serve them with a selfless heart.
By following these principles, we trust that God will bless our efforts and use them for His glory. Let’s continue to grow in our love for others and follow the example of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
