Top 20 Bible Verses About Pride (With Commentary)

Pride is a dangerous and destructive attitude that can hinder our growth and damage our relationships. The Bible warns against the dangers of pride and offers guidance on cultivating humility instead. If you’re seeking wisdom on overcoming pride and embracing humility, join me as we explore some enlightening Bible verses on this topic.

Bible Verses About Pride

Proverbs 8:13

“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”

This verse highlights the importance of fearing the Lord and hating evil, which includes pride and arrogance. It emphasizes the danger of allowing pride to take hold, which can lead down the path of evil and perverted speech.

Proverbs 11:2

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”

This verse warns of the consequences of pride, which can lead to disgrace and downfall. It praises humility as the key to wisdom, emphasizing the importance of putting aside prideful attitudes in order to gain true understanding.

Proverbs 16:5

“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”

This verse is a strong warning against the sin of pride, describing it as an abomination to the Lord. It emphasizes the certainty of punishment for those who refuse to humble themselves before the Lord.

Proverbs 16:18

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

This famous verse highlights the danger of pride, which can lead to destruction and downfall. It emphasizes the importance of humility and caution, warning against becoming too prideful in one’s own abilities and accomplishments.

Proverbs 21:4

“Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.”

This verse describes the connection between pride and sin, stating that it is the mark of the wicked. It highlights the importance of avoiding prideful attitudes in order to stay on the path of righteousness.

Proverbs 29:23

“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”

This verse emphasizes the importance of humility, stating that pride will eventually lead to downfall but humility will result in honor. It highlights the value of putting aside pride and embracing a humble spirit.

Isaiah 2:12

“For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low.”

This verse describes the judgment that God will bring against those who are prideful and lofty. It emphasizes the importance of avoiding prideful attitudes and seeking humility before the Lord.

Isaiah 13:11

“I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.”

This verse shows that pride is a sin which brings punishment, especially for the wicked. It emphasizes the importance of choosing humility and avoiding prideful attitudes in order to avoid God’s judgment.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.’”

These verses emphasize that true wisdom and strength come from understanding and knowing the Lord, not from one’s own accomplishments or possessions. They highlight the importance of seeking humility and boasting only in the Lord’s steadfast love and righteousness.

Daniel 4:37

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

This verse shows that even powerful rulers like Nebuchadnezzar can be humbled by God if they allow pride to take hold. It emphasizes the importance of seeking humility and recognizing the Lord’s justice and sovereignty.

Matthew 23:12

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

This verse emphasizes the importance of humility, warning that prideful attitudes will eventually lead to being humbled. It highlights the value of putting aside pride and choosing humility in order to gain exaltation in the Lord.

Luke 14:11

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

This verse echoes the sentiment of Matthew 23:12, emphasizing the importance of humility in the eyes of the Lord. It highlights the value of putting aside prideful attitudes and embracing a spirit of humility in order to receive exaltation from the Lord.

Acts 12:23

“Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.”

This verse describes the punishment that King Herod faced for failing to give glory to God, instead embracing a prideful attitude. It emphasizes the importance of giving all glory and honor to the Lord in order to avoid punishment.

Romans 11:20

“That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.”

This verse warns against prideful attitudes and emphasizes the importance of fearing the Lord. It shows that faith in the Lord is what keeps believers secure, and highlights the danger of becoming too prideful in one’s own accomplishments.

1 Corinthians 1:31

“So that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’”

This verse shows that the only appropriate thing to boast in is the Lord, not one’s own accomplishments or abilities. It highlights the importance of seeking humility and giving all glory and honor to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 4:7

“For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”

This verse emphasizes the idea that everything we have comes from the Lord, and there is no reason to be prideful as if we accomplished anything on our own. It highlights the importance of giving all glory and honor to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:12

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

This verse warns against prideful attitudes, reminding believers that even those who believe they are standing firm can fall if they allow pride to take hold. It emphasizes the importance of seeking humility in order to avoid falling away from the Lord.

Galatians 6:14

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

This verse highlights the importance of boasting only in the Lord, specifically in the cross of Jesus Christ. It shows that the world and all its prideful ways must be put aside in order to focus on the Lord and His sacrifice.

Philippians 2:3

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

This verse emphasizes the importance of putting aside prideful attitudes and actions, instead choosing humility and putting others above oneself. It highlights the value of seeking to serve others rather than seeking one’s own glory or advancement.

James 4:6

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

This verse shows that God opposes those who embrace prideful attitudes, but gives grace to those who choose humility. It highlights the importance of seeking humility in order to receive God’s gracious blessings.

1 Peter 5:5

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

This verse emphasizes the importance of humility in relationships with others, highlighting the value of putting others before oneself. It shows that God opposes prideful attitudes and actions, but gives grace to those who choose humility.

What does the Bible say about Pride?

In the Bible, pride is often portrayed as a negative and destructive trait. It is condemned as a sin and is associated with arrogance, self-centeredness, and a sense of superiority over others. The concept of pride is mentioned in various books and verses, warning against its harmful effects on individuals and communities.

One of the most well-known passages that addresses pride is Proverbs 16:18, which states, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” This verse warns that excessive self-confidence and arrogance can lead to downfall and ruin.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul also warns about the dangers of pride in his letter to the Galatians (Galatians 6:3) and to the Romans (Romans 12:3). He encourages humility and reminds believers not to think of themselves more highly than they ought.

Another essential biblical teaching on pride comes from the story of Lucifer’s fall, found in Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:17. It illustrates how pride was at the root of Lucifer’s rebellion against God and ultimately led to his downfall.

Contrary to pride, the Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of humility, recognizing that true strength comes from acknowledging our limitations and dependence on God. For instance, in 1 Peter 5:5-6, it states, “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”

In summary, the Bible discourages pride and encourages humility as a virtue. It warns against the destructive nature of pride and highlights the importance of acknowledging our reliance on God and showing respect and compassion towards others.