The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of dignity and how we should treat others with respect. Here are some key Bible verses about dignity:
Genesis 1:26-27 – Made in God’s Image
These famous verses remind us that human beings are made in the image and likeness of God, which gives all people inherent dignity and worth: “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (ESV)
Psalm 8:3-5 – Crowned with Glory and Honor
This Psalm celebrates how God has crowned human beings with glory and honor, making them “a little lower than the heavenly beings”: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” (ESV)
Proverbs 14:31 – Kindness to the Poor
Treating the poor with dignity and respect pleases God: “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” (ESV)
Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule
Treating others the way we want to be treated shows respect for their dignity as people: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (ESV)
John 13:14-15 – Washing Disciples’ Feet
Jesus modeled dignity and humility by washing the disciples’ feet, showing we should serve one another: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (ESV)
Acts 10:34-35 – God Shows No Partiality
God values all people equally: “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (ESV)
Galatians 3:28 – All One in Christ
All believers have equal status and dignity in Christ: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)
Ephesians 4:29 – Build Others Up
We should speak in a way that builds others up, not tear them down: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (ESV)
Philippians 2:3-4 – Humility Toward Others
We should look to interests of others and not just ourselves: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (ESV)
1 Peter 2:17 – Show Honor
Christians are called to show proper respect and honor to everyone: “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (ESV)
There are many other Bible verses that speak to the importance of dignity, respect, honor, and cherishing human life. We all bear God’s image and have inherent worth because we are made by Him and loved by Him. As His followers, we are called to treat each person with value and dignity.
Here are some additional key verses:
- Genesis 9:6 – Life is sacred
- Psalm 34:14 – Turn from evil
- Proverbs 15:1 – Gentle answer
- Isaiah 58:6-7 – Help the oppressed
- Zechariah 7:9-10 – Show mercy
- Matthew 10:31 – Worth more than sparrows
- Luke 6:31 – Do to others
- Romans 12:10 – Love one another
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is patient and kind
- Ephesians 5:29 – Nourish and cherish
- Colossians 3:12 – Clothe selves with compassion
- 1 Thessalonians 4:6 – No wrong or defraud
- James 3:9-10 – Blessing and cursing
In summary, the Bible gives all people dignity because they are made in God’s image. Followers of Christ are called to honor that dignity by treating others with love, compassion, kindness, patience, mercy and respect. This includes caring for the poor and vulnerable, refusing to show partiality, speaking to build others up, being humble, and blessing rather than cursing. Our dignity comes from God, and our calling is to cherish that same dignity in others.
The Bible has much to say about living a life of dignity and honoring the dignity of other people. Though all human beings are equal in worth and value in God’s eyes, the Bible makes it clear that certain vulnerable groups should receive special care and honor.
The Poor
God calls His people to show special care and dignity to the poor. Verses include:
- Proverbs 14:31 – Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker.
- Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.
- Proverbs 22:9 – The generous will themselves be blessed.
- Isaiah 25:4 – God is a refuge for the poor.
- Matthew 19:21 – Sell possessions and give to the poor.
- Luke 14:13 – Invite the poor to your feasts.
- Galatians 2:10 – Remember the poor.
- James 2:2-7 – God has chosen the poor.
God highly values the poor and calls us as His followers to give them honor and care for their needs.
Widows and Orphans
Widows and orphans are also emphasized as needing special care and protection. Verses include:
- Exodus 22:22 – Do not take advantage of widows or orphans.
- Deuteronomy 10:18 – God defends the cause of widows and orphans.
- Psalm 146:9 – The Lord watches over widows.
- Isaiah 1:17 – Seek justice for widows.
- James 1:27 – Look after widows and orphans.
- 1 Timothy 5:3 – Honor widows who are truly in need.
God calls His people to defend, protect and care for widows and orphans in their distress.
Foreigners/Immigrants
God also expects us to show honor and hospitality toward foreigners or immigrants. Verses include:
- Leviticus 19:33-34 – Treat foreigners as native-born.
- Deuteronomy 10:19 – Love foreigners as self.
- Psalm 146:9 – Watches over foreigner.
- Ezekiel 47:22 – Give foreigners inheritance.
- Malachi 3:5 – Do not oppress foreigner.
- Hebrews 13:2 – Show hospitality to strangers.
- 1 Peter 2:11 – Foreigners and exiles on earth.
God protects, cares for, and identifies with foreigners. He expects us to treat them with dignity.
Enemies
One of the most surprising groups the Bible says to treat with honor and love are our enemies! Verses include:
- Exodus 23:4 – Return your enemy’s wandering ox or donkey.
- Proverbs 25:21-22 – Feed your enemy if they are hungry.
- Matthew 5:44 – Love your enemies.
- Luke 6:27 – Do good to those who hate you.
- Romans 12:20 – Feed your enemy if they are hungry.
Though counterintuitive, God calls us to show love and kindness even to our enemies – treating them with unexpected grace and charity.
Human Life
Overall, the Bible emphasizes upholding the sanctity of human life and treating each person – poor or rich, widow or orphan, foreigner or enemy – with honor because they bear God’s image. Additional verses include:
- Genesis 1:27 – God created man and woman in His image.
- Genesis 9:6 – Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed.
- Exodus 20:13 – Do not murder.
- Psalm 127:3 – Children are a gift from the Lord.
- Psalm 139:13-16 – Knit together in mother’s womb by God.
- Matthew 18:5 – Whoever welcomes a child welcome’s me.
- 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Every single human being has dignity and worth because they are made in God’s image and He knows them deeply. He values all people – especially the vulnerable – and calls us to honor life.
General Principles
There are also many verses that speak to principles of dignity more broadly and how we should treat others:
- Proverbs 11:12 – It is foolish to denigrate others.
- Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath.
- Isaiah 58:6-9 – Loose the chains of injustice.
- Micah 6:8 – What does God require of you but to do justice and love mercy.
- Mark 9:37 – Whoever welcomes a child welcomes me.
- Luke 10:30-37 – The good Samaritan helped the hurting man.
- John 13:35 – They will know you by your love.
- Romans 12:16 – Live in harmony with one another.
- Galatians 5:13-14 – Serve one another in love.
- Ephesians 4:2 – Be completely humble and gentle.
- Philippians 2:4 – Look to the interests of others.
- Colossians 3:12 – Clothe yourselves with compassion and kindness.
In Christ, we are set free to serve others, pursue justice, show mercy, live in peace, answer gently, love humbly, and bring compassion to the suffering. Our dignity is tied up with how we honor dignity in others.
Reflection
Human dignity is precious because it reflects the image of God in each person. No one is free to dishonor another life because it dishonors the One who gave that life. We show dignity for others by:
- Caring for the poor and needy
- Protecting the vulnerable like widows and orphans
- Welcoming the foreigner and immigrant
- Loving our enemies
- Upholding the value of life from conception to old age
- Refusing oppression and injustice
- Answering with grace and humility
- Serving others in love
Every human being has worth because they bear God’s stamp. He calls us to honor the dignity He has bestowed on our fellow image bearers.
Conclusion
The Bible has profound and practical wisdom when it comes to upholding human dignity. We are crafted by God, crowned with glory and honor, and called to cherish the intrinsic worth bestowed on all people. Christ set the example by loving, serving, and ultimately dying for His enemies. As His followers, we are called to treat all people, especially the vulnerable, with grace, compassion, justice, and mercy. Though cultures may degrade and destroy dignity, God has the final word, and He conferred His image on every living soul.