What Does the Bible Say About Not Being Perfect?

Romans 3:23 ESV / 37 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Isaiah 64:6 ESV / 31 helpful votes

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Philippians 3:12-15 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. ...

Romans 12:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Romans 12:21 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Philippians 3:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 5 helpful votes

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:7-12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ...

Psalm 139:1-24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. ...

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

1 John 2:27 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

2 Corinthians 10:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.

Romans 10:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

John 3:16 ESV / 4 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.

James 2:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

Hebrews 4:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

John 10:34 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?

John 2:23-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Mark 6:1-56 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. ...

Matthew 24:35 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Isaiah 10:1-34 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey! What will you do on the day of punishment, in the ruin that will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help, and where will you leave your wealth? Nothing remains but to crouch among the prisoners or fall among the slain. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still. Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury! ...

Ephesians 5:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Romans 10:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. ...

Psalm 82:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 1 helpful vote

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 1 helpful vote

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Romans 16:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Psalm 82:1-8 ESV / 1 helpful vote

A Psalm of Asaph. God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. ...

34 Bible Verses about Not Being Perfect

Romans 3:23 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Isaiah 64:6 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Philippians 3:12-15 ESV / 18 helpful votes

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Romans 12:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Romans 12:21 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Philippians 3:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Matthew 5:7-12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Psalm 139:1-24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 2:27 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Timothy 4:1-2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 10:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Romans 10:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

John 3:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

James 2:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Hebrews 4:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

John 10:34 ESV / 3 helpful votes

John 2:23-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Mark 6:1-56 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 24:35 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Isaiah 10:1-34 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 10:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 82:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 1 helpful vote

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Romans 16:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Psalm 82:1-8 ESV / 1 helpful vote

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34 Bible Verses about Not Being Perfect

Romans 3:23 ESV / 37 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 64:6 ESV / 31 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 3:12-15 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:21 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 3:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:7-12 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 139:1-24 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:27 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

2 Corinthians 10:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:34 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 2:23-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 6:1-56 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:35 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 10:1-34 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Romans 10:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 82:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 16:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 82:1-8 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

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

Romans 3:23 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Isaiah 64:6 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Philippians 3:12-15 ESV / 18 helpful votes

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Romans 12:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Romans 12:21 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Philippians 3:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Matthew 5:7-12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Psalm 139:1-24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 John 2:27 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Timothy 4:1-2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 10:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Romans 10:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

John 3:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

James 2:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Hebrews 4:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

John 10:34 ESV / 3 helpful votes

John 2:23-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Mark 6:1-56 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 24:35 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Isaiah 10:1-34 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Ephesians 5:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Romans 10:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 82:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 1 helpful vote

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Romans 16:17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Psalm 82:1-8 ESV / 1 helpful vote