What Does the Bible Say About Being Unselfish?

John 3:16 ESV / 12 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Philippians 2:5-8 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ...

Proverbs 19:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

1 John 3:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Hebrews 5:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

Romans 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Proverbs 31:1-31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. ...

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Genesis 1:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

1 John 4:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

We love because he first loved us.

1 Peter 1:1-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ...

Romans 8:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Titus 2:4-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Titus 2:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. ...

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Ephesians 5:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

Matthew 19:1-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? ...

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Psalm 20:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Genesis 3:1-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ...

Genesis 2:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Revelation 3:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

1 John 5:3 ESV / 1 helpful vote

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Titus 2:4 ESV / 1 helpful vote

And so train the young women to love their husbands and children,

1 Timothy 5:14 ESV / 1 helpful vote

So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.

Colossians 2:10 ESV / 1 helpful vote

And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Ephesians 4:24 ESV / 1 helpful vote

And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

34 Bible Verses about Being Unselfish

John 3:16 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Philippians 2:5-8 ESV / 10 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Proverbs 19:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

1 John 3:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Hebrews 5:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Romans 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Proverbs 31:1-31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Genesis 1:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 Peter 1:1-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Romans 8:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Romans 8:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Titus 2:4-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Titus 2:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 19:1-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 20:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Genesis 3:1-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Genesis 2:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Revelation 3:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

1 John 5:3 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Titus 2:4 ESV / 1 helpful vote

1 Timothy 5:14 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Colossians 2:10 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Ephesians 4:24 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 1 helpful vote

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34 Bible Verses about Being Unselfish

John 3:16 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 2:5-8 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 5:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 31:1-31 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:1-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:4-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:1-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 20:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 3:1-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 3:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 5:3 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:4 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:14 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:10 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:24 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

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Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

John 3:16 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Philippians 2:5-8 ESV / 10 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Proverbs 19:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

1 John 3:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

1 Peter 3:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Hebrews 5:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Romans 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Proverbs 31:1-31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Genesis 1:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 4:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 Peter 1:1-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Romans 8:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Romans 8:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Titus 2:4-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Titus 2:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 19:1-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 20:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Genesis 3:1-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Genesis 2:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Revelation 3:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

1 John 5:3 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Titus 2:4 ESV / 1 helpful vote

1 Timothy 5:14 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Colossians 2:10 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Ephesians 4:24 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 1 helpful vote