True greatness is not found in power, fame, or wealth but in serving others and humbling oneself before God. The Bible teaches that those who seek to be great must become servants, following the example of Jesus Christ. Below are important themes on what the Bible says about being great, each supported by scripture.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Greatness
Greatness Comes Through Serving
In the kingdom of God, greatness is not measured by status but by servanthood. Jesus demonstrated this by washing His disciples’ feet and sacrificing Himself for humanity. He taught that the greatest among us is the one who serves others selflessly. If we desire to be great, we must be willing to put others before ourselves, just as Christ did.
Mark 10:43-45
“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 23:11-12
“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Philippians 2:3-4
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
John 13:14-15
“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
Galatians 5:13
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
True Greatness Comes From Humility
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Many people seek to be great through self-promotion, but God honors those who humble themselves. Jesus Himself, though being God, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. True greatness is found in recognizing our dependence on God and living a life of humility.
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
Philippians 2:5-8
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
1 Peter 5:6
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”
Matthew 18:4
“So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Proverbs 22:4
“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”
Greatness Comes From Obeying God
Obedience to God is the foundation of a truly great life. When we submit to His will, we align ourselves with His purpose, and He blesses our lives. Throughout the Bible, those who obeyed God, such as Abraham, Moses, and David, were lifted to positions of greatness because they honored Him with their obedience.
Deuteronomy 28:1
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.”
Joshua 1:8
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
John 14:23
“Jesus replied, ‘All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.'”
Isaiah 1:19
“If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat.”
Psalm 128:1
“How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways!”
Greatness Is Found in Love
Love is the greatest commandment and the defining characteristic of a true disciple of Christ. Greatness is not about power but about how well we love God and others. When we love sacrificially, we reflect the nature of God and demonstrate true greatness.
1 Corinthians 13:13
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”
John 13:34-35
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Romans 12:10
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Matthew 22:37-39
“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
1 John 4:7-8
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About The Greatness of God
Greatness Comes Through Faith
Faith in God is the foundation of a great life. Those who trust in the Lord experience His power and blessings. True greatness comes from believing in God’s promises, stepping out in faith, and trusting Him even when circumstances seem uncertain.
Hebrews 11:6
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
Matthew 17:20
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by believing and not by seeing.”
Mark 9:23
“‘What do you mean, ‘If I can’?’ Jesus asked. ‘Anything is possible if a person believes.'”
Romans 10:17
“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”
Greatness Requires Perseverance
True greatness is achieved by those who endure through trials and remain faithful to God. The Bible encourages us to persevere, knowing that difficulties refine our character and bring us closer to fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.
James 1:12
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Galatians 6:9
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Romans 5:3-4
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”
Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”
Greatness Comes From Glorifying God
The highest form of greatness is bringing glory to God. Everything we do should honor Him, for true greatness is not about making a name for ourselves but about reflecting God’s greatness to the world.
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Colossians 3:23
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
Psalm 115:1
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.”
Isaiah 43:7
“Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.”
True greatness is found in serving others, walking in humility, obeying God, loving deeply, living by faith, persevering through trials, and ultimately glorifying God in all things. May these scriptures encourage you to pursue a life of true greatness according to God’s design.