What does the Bible say about ambition?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that ambition is good when it seeks God’s glory and the good of others, but sinful when it is driven by pride, greed, envy, or the desire for human praise. Jesus calls us to seek first God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33) and warns that gaining the world cannot profit a soul (Luke 9:25). Believers are to pursue humility, considering others above themselves and looking to their interests (Philippians 2:3-4). Scripture cautions that craving wealth brings many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:9), while worldly desires flow from pride rather than the Father (1 John 2:16). A holy ambition, like Paul’s in Romans 15:20, gladly serves Christ rather than self.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Luke 9:25
For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?
- Matthew 23:12
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
- Matthew 6:33
But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
- 1 Timothy 6:9
But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
- Philippians 2:4
each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
- 1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn't the Father's, but is the world's.
- John 5:44
How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don't seek the glory that comes from the only God?
- James 4:1-2
[1] Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members? [2] You lust, and don't have. You kill, covet, and can't obtain. You fight and make war. You don't have, because you don't ask.
- Philippians 2:3
doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
- Romans 15:20
yes, making it my aim to preach the Gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another's foundation.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Falsely charged against Moses Numbers 16:13
- Parable of the thistle, illustrating 2 Kings 14:9
- UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Job 20:6; Job 20:7; Psalms 49:11-13; Isaiah 5:8; Habakkuk 2:5; Habakkuk 2:6; Habakkuk 2:9; Matthew 4:8-10; Matthew 16:26; Matthew 20:20; Matthew 23:5-7; Matthew 23:12
- See PRIDE
- INSTANCES OF
- Lucifer Isaiah 14:12-15
- Eve Genesis 3:5; Genesis 3:6
- The builders of Babel Genesis 11:4
- Aaron and Miriam Numbers 12:2-10
- Korah and his co-conspirators Numbers 16:3-35
- Abimelech Judges 9:1-6
- Absalom 2 Samuel 15:1-13; 2 Samuel 18:18
- Ahithophel 2 Samuel 17:23
- Adonijah 1 Kings 1:5
- Sennacherib 2 Kings 19:23
- Haman Esther 5:9-13; Esther 6:6-9
- Diotrephes 3 John 1:9; 3 John 1:10
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- God condemns Genesis 11:7; Isaiah 5:8
- Christ condemns Matthew 18:1; Matthew 18:3; Matthew 18:4; Matthew 20:25; Matthew 20:26; Matthew 23:11; Matthew 23:12
- Saints avoid Psalms 131:1; Psalms 131:2
- Vanity of Job 20:5-9; Job 24:24; Psalms 49:11-20
- Leads to strife and contention James 4:1; James 4:2
- Punishment of Proverbs 17:19; Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 31:10; Ezekiel 31:11; Obadiah 1:3; Obadiah 1:4
- Connected with
- Pride Habakkuk 2:5
- Covetousness Habakkuk 2:8; Habakkuk 2:9
- Cruelty Habakkuk 2:12
- Exemplified
- Adam and Eve Genesis 3:5; Genesis 3:6
- Builders of Babel Genesis 11:4
- Miriam and Aaron Numbers 12:2
- Korah, &c Numbers 16:3
- Absalom 2 Samuel 15:4; 2 Samuel 18:18
- Adonijah 1 Kings 1:5
- Sennacherib 2 Kings 19:23
- Shebna Isaiah 22:16
- Sons of Zebedee Matthew 20:21
- Antichrist 2 Thessalonians 2:4
- Diotrephes 3 John 1:9
See also
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