Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Being Selfish?
10 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Being Selfish in the Bible
Discover 14 powerful Bible verses about being selfish. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential sin & temptation topic.
Top 10 Verses About Being Selfish
- 1
- 2Proverbs 18:1
“Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. Through: or, He that separateth himself seeketh according to his desire, and intermeddleth in every business”
KJV - 3Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
KJV - 4Matthew 20:28
“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
KJV - 5Luke 16:13
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
KJV - 6
- 7Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. to: or, to edify profitably”
KJV - 8Philippians 2:3
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
KJV - 9James 2:14
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”
KJV - 10James 3:14
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Being Selfish? (2 Verses)
“Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.”
“Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. Through: or, He that separateth himself seeketh according to his desire, and intermeddleth in every business”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Being Selfish? (8 Verses)
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. to: or, to edify profitably”
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Being Selfish
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about being selfish. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about being selfish and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about being selfish is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on being selfish needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about being selfish with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about being selfish, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Being Selfish?
You have studied 10 verses about being selfish. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.