A self-centred concern for oneself, without due regard to the needs of others. Scripture treats selfishness as an aspect of sin and urges believers to care for others as well as themselves.
Selfishness is a characteristic of the sinner
Romans 8:5; 2 Corinthians 5:15 See also Proverbs 18:1; Romans 2:8; Ephesians 2:3
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
Selfishness is a characteristic of sinful society
2 Timothy 3:1–2 See also Judges 17:6, Judges 21:25
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
Expressions of selfishness
Greed
Matthew 23:25 See also Mark 12:7; Luke 12:13–21; Acts 5:3
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
Ambition
Philippians 2:3 See also Jeremiah 45:5; Galatians 5:19–20; Philippians 1:17; James 3:14–16
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
Boastfulness
the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”
Examples of selfishness
See also Genesis 11:4 the builders of the tower of Babel; Genesis 13:10–11 Lot in his choice of territory; Ezekiel 28:2–5 the king of Tyre; Ezekiel 34:8 Israel's leaders; Mark 10:35 James and John
Self-absorption as the result of pain or depression
He feels only the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself.”
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
Antidotes to selfishness
God's word
Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.
The example of Jesus Christ
Romans 15:3 See also Philippians 2:4–8
For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”
Dying to the old nature
Romans 6:6 See also Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9
We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
Serving one another
1 Peter 4:10 See also 1 Corinthians 10:24
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
Loving one another
John 13:34 See also Matthew 22:39; Romans 13:8–10
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.