Pride
Pride in Scripture is the posture of self-exaltation and independence from God — named as the root of many sins and the opposite of the humility that receives grace. The biblical pattern is consistent: those who exalt themselves are brought low (Nebuchadnezzar, Herod Agrippa, the Pharisee in Luke 18). Pride is addressed not by self-help but by repentance.
Key verses (11)
- Proverbs 11:2When pride cometh, then cometh shame
“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”
- Proverbs 16:18Pride goeth before destruction
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
- Isaiah 2:11The lofty looks of man shall be humbled
“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lor...”
- Daniel 4:37Those that walk in pride he is able to abase
“Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and ...”
- Obadiah 1:3The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee
“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose hab...”
- Luke 18:14Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exal...”
- Romans 12:3Think soberly, according as God hath dealt
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself ...”
- Philippians 2:3In lowliness of mind esteem others
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other bett...”
- James 4:6God resisteth the proud, giveth grace to humble
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the hum...”
- 1 Peter 5:5Be clothed with humility
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, a...”
- 1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
Relevant characters (3)
Further reading
- C. S. Lewis — Mere Christianity, Book 3 Ch. 8 'The Great Sin', Geoffrey Bles (1952)
- John Owen — The Mortification of Sin in Believers (1656)
- Thomas Watson — The Art of Divine Contentment (1653)
Pastoral commentary
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