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What does the Bible say about selfish people?

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The Bible warns that selfishness is a sinful love of self that breeds pride, conflict, and disregard for God and neighbor, while calling believers to humble, Christlike love. Paul names people as lovers of self among the marks of ungodliness in 2 Timothy 3:2, and Romans 2:8 warns of judgment for those driven by selfish ambition rather than truth. James 3:13-17 contrasts earthly, self-seeking wisdom, which produces disorder, with wisdom from above, which is pure, peaceable, and merciful. In Christ, believers are called to consider others' needs, bear with the weak, and seek their good, as Philippians 2:1-4 and Romans 15:1-2 teach. Love does not insist on its own way, but reflects the self-giving character of Christ.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 2 Timothy 3:2

    For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

  • James 3:16-17

    [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. [17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

  • Psalms 119:36

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

  • James 3:13-15

    [13] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. [15] This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

  • Romans 2:8

    but to those who are self-seeking, and don't obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation,

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

    [4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, [5] doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;

  • Romans 15:1-2

    [1] Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.

  • Philippians 2:1-4

    [1] If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, [2] make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; [3] doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; [4] 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.

  • James 3:16

    For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

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