Arrogance is a destructive trait that the Bible consistently warns against. It is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of humility, often leading to downfall and separation from God. The Scriptures encourage humility and warn of the dangers of pride, reminding us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Here are 30 Bible verses about arrogance, each accompanied by a brief commentary to provide deeper understanding and reflection.
1. Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
The danger of pride. This verse highlights the inevitable downfall that follows arrogance. It warns that pride leads to destruction, emphasizing the importance of humility and the dangers of an inflated ego.
2. James 4:6
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”
God’s opposition to arrogance. This verse reminds us that God actively resists the proud but showers His grace on the humble. It encourages believers to seek humility to receive God’s favor.
3. Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.”
Shame follows pride. This verse contrasts the outcomes of pride and humility. While arrogance leads to shame, humility brings wisdom, highlighting the value of living modestly and with a teachable spirit.
4. Isaiah 2:11
“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”
God humbles the arrogant. This verse declares that God will humble those who are proud, ensuring that only He is exalted. It serves as a warning that human arrogance will ultimately be brought low.
5. 1 Peter 5:5
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”
Humility in relationships. Peter urges believers to practice humility, especially in their interactions with others. This verse emphasizes that humility is key to receiving God’s grace and living in harmony with others.
6. Proverbs 8:13
“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.”
God’s hatred of arrogance. This verse links the fear of the Lord with hating pride and arrogance. It shows that true reverence for God involves rejecting these destructive traits, aligning with His character.
7. Obadiah 1:3
“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; you who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?'”
Deception of pride. Obadiah warns that pride can deceive us, leading to a false sense of security. This verse serves as a reminder that arrogance can blind us to reality and lead to our downfall.
8. Proverbs 29:23
“A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.”
Pride’s consequences. This verse contrasts the outcomes of pride and humility, showing that arrogance leads to being brought low, while humility results in honor. It encourages a humble approach to life.
9. Psalm 138:6
“Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.”
God’s closeness to the humble. This verse highlights that while God is exalted, He draws near to the humble but keeps His distance from the proud. It emphasizes the relational distance created by arrogance.
10. Isaiah 13:11
“I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”
God’s judgment on arrogance. This verse speaks of God’s intention to punish the proud and arrogant. It serves as a warning that God’s justice will address arrogance and bring it to an end.
11. Proverbs 16:5
“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.”
Abomination of pride. This verse describes pride as an abomination to God, assuring that even collective arrogance will not escape punishment. It underscores the seriousness of pride in God’s eyes.
12. Jeremiah 9:23-24
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.”
Boasting in God alone. This passage discourages boasting in human achievements, such as wisdom, strength, or wealth. Instead, it calls for boasting in knowing God, highlighting the futility of pride in worldly things.
13. Proverbs 21:4
“A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin.”
Sinfulness of pride. This verse identifies arrogance as a sin, placing it alongside other evil actions. It reinforces the idea that pride is morally wrong and displeasing to God.
14. Daniel 4:37
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.”
God’s ability to humble. After experiencing God’s judgment, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that God is capable of humbling the proud. This verse serves as a powerful testimony to the consequences of arrogance.
15. Romans 12:3
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
Sober self-assessment. Paul advises believers to avoid overestimating their importance, promoting a humble and realistic view of oneself. This verse encourages humility and self-awareness in the Christian life.
16. Proverbs 18:12
“Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.”
Sequence of pride and humility. This verse describes the contrasting paths of pride and humility, with arrogance leading to destruction and humility leading to honor. It underscores the importance of choosing humility.
17. Psalm 10:4
“The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.”
Pride’s neglect of God. This verse highlights how pride leads to a neglect of God, with the proud person not seeking Him. It serves as a reminder that arrogance can draw us away from a relationship with God.
18. Proverbs 6:16-17
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.”
God’s hatred of pride. This passage lists pride among the things God hates, placing it alongside other serious sins. It underscores the severity of arrogance in God’s moral assessment.
19. 1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.”
Love’s humility. In describing the characteristics of love, Paul notes that it is not arrogant or boastful. This verse encourages believers to practice humility in their relationships, reflecting true love.
20. 1 Samuel 2:3
“Talk no more so very proudly; let no arrogance come from your mouth, for the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed.”
God weighs actions. Hannah’s prayer warns against arrogance, reminding us that God weighs all actions and knows all things. This verse calls for humility in speech and behavior, acknowledging God’s sovereignty.
21. Proverbs 27:2
“Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
Avoid self-praise. This verse advises against boasting about oneself, encouraging humility and allowing others to offer praise if warranted. It highlights the importance of modesty and letting actions speak for themselves.
22. Isaiah 23:9
“The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.”
God’s purpose against pride. This verse reveals God’s intention to bring down the prideful and those who seek worldly glory. It serves as a reminder that God opposes arrogance and works to humble the exalted.
23. 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, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Humility leads to exaltation. Jesus teaches that those who humble themselves will be exalted, while the arrogant will be brought low. This verse encourages humility as the path to God’s favor.
24. Psalm 101:5
“Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; the one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, him I will not endure.”
God’s intolerance of pride. This verse expresses God’s strong opposition to slander and pride, declaring that He will not tolerate those who harbor arrogance in their hearts. It serves as a stern warning against these sins.
25. Ezekiel 28:17
“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you.”
Pride’s downfall. This verse describes the downfall of the king of Tyre due to his pride in his beauty and splendor. It illustrates the danger of letting arrogance corrupt wisdom and lead to destruction.
26. Jeremiah 50:31-32
“‘Behold, I am against you, O most haughty one!’ says the Lord God of hosts; ‘For your day has come, the time that I will punish you. The most proud shall stumble and fall, and no one will raise him up; I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all around him.'”
Judgment on the proud. This passage warns of God’s impending judgment on the proud, assuring that they will stumble and fall. It emphasizes the certainty of divine retribution against arrogance.
27. Proverbs 3:34
“Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.”
God’s grace to the humble. This verse contrasts God’s scorn for the arrogant with His grace for the humble. It reinforces the biblical theme that humility attracts God’s favor, while pride invites His opposition.
28. Zephaniah 2:10
“This they shall have for their pride, because they have reproached and made arrogant threats against the people of the Lord of hosts.”
Consequences of pride. This verse speaks of the consequences that will befall those who pridefully oppose God’s people. It highlights the inevitable judgment that comes to those who act with arrogance against the Lord.
29. Job 40:11-12
“Disperse the rage of your wrath; look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; tread down the wicked in their place.”
God humbles the proud. In this passage, God challenges Job to consider His power to humble the proud and bring down the wicked. It underscores God’s sovereignty and His ability to deal with arrogance.
30. Matthew 23:12
“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The paradox of humility. Jesus teaches that self-exaltation leads to humiliation, while humility leads to exaltation. This verse encapsulates the biblical principle that true greatness comes from humility, not arrogance.
These verses collectively warn against the dangers of arrogance and pride, encouraging humility as the path to honor and divine favor. They remind believers that God opposes the proud but lifts up the humble, calling us to live modestly and with a heart of service and reverence toward God. By reflecting on these scriptures, we can better understand the importance of humility and the peril of letting arrogance take root in our lives.