“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Bible Verses About Putting Others Before Yourself
Humility in Our Actions
In our daily lives as Christians, we are called to display humility, which means considering others’ needs and feelings before our own. When we are humble, we can see the world through others’ eyes and understand their struggles and triumphs. We find that humility allows us to follow Jesus’ example since He humbled Himself for humanity. We must remember that humility in our actions reflects Christ’s love and grace.
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
1 Peter 5:5
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12
Serving Others
Serving others is one of the greatest ways for us to imitate Christ in our lives. Jesus showed us what true greatness looks like by washing the disciples’ feet. When we serve one another, we leave behind our desires and position ourselves to be a source of joy and support for those around us. Let us embrace the call to service and often think about how we can help others in our community.
Mark 10:44-45
“And whoever wants to be first must be servant of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:44-45
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
John 13:14
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” – John 13:14
1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” – Acts 20:35
Love for Others
Love is the foundation of our faith and an essential part of putting others before ourselves. We are called to love not only our friends but also those who may not treat us well. When we show love to others, we break down barriers and foster unity within our communities. Let us remember that love is an action word and something we must practice each day.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:10
Matthew 22:39
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Matthew 22:39
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:14
Forgiveness
Part of putting others before ourselves is having a heart willing to forgive. We all make mistakes and hurt each other in various ways. Jesus taught us to forgive as He forgave us. When we choose to forgive, it not only frees the other person but also lightens our own burdens. Our community grows stronger when we practice forgiveness, showing love and grace to others.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14-15
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25
Encouraging One Another
Encouragement is a powerful tool in putting others before ourselves. Life can be full of challenges, and a word of encouragement can uplift someone in their time of need. As we focus on others, we can remind them of their worth and potential through Christ. We find joy and purpose when we come together as a community, encouraging one another to grow in faith and strength.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Proverbs 12:25
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” – Proverbs 12:25
Romans 15:2
“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” – Romans 15:2
Philippians 1:3
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” – Philippians 1:3
Acts of Kindness
Putting others before ourselves can also be expressed through simple acts of kindness. Whether it’s sharing a smile, helping someone in need, or volunteering our time, kindness brings light into the lives of those around us. As we embody Christ’s love through our actions, we create a ripple effect that encourages others to do the same. Let us commit to being kind every day.
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Proverbs 21:21
“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.” – Proverbs 21:21
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Titus 3:14
“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” – Titus 3:14
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the Bible verses about putting others before ourselves, we see that our faith is deeply intertwined with how we treat others. Humility, service, love, forgiveness, encouragement, and kindness are all important aspects of living out our faith. When we focus on helping others, we grow closer to God and embody the teachings of Jesus more profoundly.
Let us remember to put our love for others into action daily. Striving to serve, encourage, forgive, and show kindness can dramatically transform our communities and our relationships. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us.
For those who are interested in diving deeper into related topics, you might want to explore Philippians 2:29 or Mark 10:44-45. These verses will provide more insight into the importance of living a life focused on serving others.