41 Bible Verses about Selfishness

Most Relevant Verses

Philippians 2:3-4

doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

Proverbs 18:1

An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.

2 Timothy 3:1-2

But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Judges 17:6

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Judges 21:25

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Mark 12:7

But those farmers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'

Luke 12:13-21

One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses."read more.
He spoke a parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly. He reasoned within himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I don't have room to store my crops?' He said, 'This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry."' "But God said to him, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared -- whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Jeremiah 45:5

Do you seek great things for yourself? Don't seek them; for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh, says Yahweh; but your life will I give to you for a prey in all places where you go.

Galatians 5:19-20

Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,

Philippians 1:17

but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.

James 3:14-16

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

Daniel 4:30

The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?

Genesis 13:10-11

Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar. So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves the one from the other.

Ezekiel 28:2-5

Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet you are man, and not God, though you did set your heart as the heart of God -- behold, you are wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that is hidden from you; by your wisdom and by your understanding you have gotten yourself riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasures;read more.
by your great wisdom [and] by your traffic you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches --

Ezekiel 34:8

As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, surely because my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the animals of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and didn't feed my sheep;

Mark 10:35

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask."

Job 14:22

But his flesh on him has pain, and his soul within him mourns."

1 Kings 19:10

He said, "I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away."

Psalm 119:36

Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.

Romans 15:3

For even Christ didn't please himself. But, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."

Philippians 2:4-8

each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,read more.
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.

Romans 13:8-10

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

From Thematic Bible


Inconsistency » General marks of » Selfishness

James 2:15-16

And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled;" and yet you didn't give them the things the body needs, what good is it?

Religion » Inconsistency in religious life general marks of » Selfishness

James 2:15-16

And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled;" and yet you didn't give them the things the body needs, what good is it?

Selfishness » Different forms of » Total disregard of the rights of others

Ezekiel 34:18

Does it seem a small thing to you to have fed on the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture? and to have drunk of the clear waters, but you must foul the residue with your feet?

Hosea 10:1

Israel is a luxuriant vine that puts forth his fruit. According to the abundance of his fruit he has multiplied his altars. As their land has prospered, they have adorned their sacred stones.

Habakkuk 2:6

Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, 'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and who enriches himself by extortion! How long?'

Selfishness » Examples of » Cain's cold-blooded words concerning abel

Exodus 2:17

The shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

Numbers 20:21

Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.

Judges 8:6

The princes of Succoth said, "Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?"

Selfishness » Examples of » The priest and levite carelessly pass by the wounded man

Luke 10:31-32

By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.

Selfishness » Different forms of » Heartless indifference toward sinners

Matthew 27:3-4

Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? You see to it."

Selfishness » Ministers should be devoid of

1 Corinthians 10:33

even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law. read more.
To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. Now I do this for the sake of the Good News, that I may be a joint partaker of it.

Selfishness » The example of Christ condemns

Romans 15:3

For even Christ didn't please himself. But, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."

Selfishness » Contrary to the law of God

Selfishness » Examples of » Haman's selfish conceit

Matthew 23:4

For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them.

Isaiah 56:11

Yes, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds who can't understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

Esther 6:6

So Haman came in. The king said to him, "What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?" Now Haman said in his heart, "Who would the king delight to honor more than myself?"

Selfishness » Exhibited in » Seeking our own

1 Corinthians 10:33

even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

Selfishness » Inconsistent with communion of saints

Romans 12:4-5

For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. read more.
If the foot would say, "Because I'm not the hand, I'm not part of the body," it is not therefore not part of the body. If the ear would say, "Because I'm not the eye, I'm not part of the body," it's not therefore not part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now they are many members, but one body. The eye can't tell the hand, "I have no need for you," or again the head to the feet, "I have no need for you." No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

Selfishness » Especially forbidden to saints

Selfishness » All men addicted to

Selfishness » Different forms of » Hoarding foodstuff

Proverbs 11:26

People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

Selfishness » Exemplified » Nabal

1 Samuel 25:3

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good understanding, and of a beautiful face: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

1 Samuel 25:11

Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don't know where they come from?"

Selfishness » The love of Christ should constrain us to avoid

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died. He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.

Selfishness » Exhibited in » Living to ourselves

Selfishness » Inconsistent with » Christian love

1 Corinthians 13:5

doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;

Selfishness » Characteristic of the last days

2 Timothy 3:1-2

But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Selfishness » Examples of » Nabal refuses food to david

1 Samuel 25:11

Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don't know where they come from?"

Selfishness » Different forms of » Neglect of the needy and suffering

Matthew 25:43

I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'

Selfishness » Exhibited in » Being lovers of ourselves

Selfishness » Exhibited in » Seeking undue precedence

Matthew 20:21

He said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom."

Selfishness » Exemplified » Jews

Selfishness » Exhibited in » Serving God for reward

Malachi 1:10

"Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you," says Yahweh of Armies, "neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

Selfishness » Exhibited in » Seeking after gain

Isaiah 56:11

Yes, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds who can't understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

Selfishness » God hates

Malachi 1:10

"Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you," says Yahweh of Armies, "neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

Selfishness » Exhibited in » Neglect of the poor

Selfishness » Exhibited in » Pleasing ourselves

Selfishness » Exemplified » Cain

Selfishness » Different forms of » Greed for real estate

Selfishness » Exhibited in » Performing duty for reward

Selfishness » Exemplified » James and john

Mark 10:37

They said to him, "Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory."

Selfishness » Exemplified » Haman

Esther 6:6

So Haman came in. The king said to him, "What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?" Now Haman said in his heart, "Who would the king delight to honor more than myself?"

Selfishness » Examples of » James and john seek the best places

Mark 10:37

They said to him, "Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory."

Selfishness » Saints falsely accused of

Job 1:9-11

Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven't you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face."

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Theasaurus: Selfishness