40 Bible Verses About Fame

Fame is something many people desire in life. Some pursue recognition, popularity, and influence, while others find themselves famous without seeking it. The Scriptures give clear insight into how fame should be viewed, reminding us that recognition should point back to God and not to ourselves. In this article, we will look at 40 Bible verses about fame, along with teachings on the pursuit of fame, what the Bible says about celebrities, and examples of fame in the Bible.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how fame can be used for good or lead to destruction, depending on how it is handled.

What Does the Bible Say About the Pursuit of Fame?

The pursuit of fame can be tempting, especially in a world that values likes, followers, and public recognition. But the Bible warns against selfish ambition and pride. Instead, it encourages humility and service.

The Scriptures make it clear that seeking fame for personal gain often leads to downfall. For instance, in Proverbs 16:18, it says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” This reminds us that fame built on pride will not last.

Jesus also taught in Matthew 23:12, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Here, we see that seeking fame for ourselves is not the way to true honor, God is the one who gives lasting recognition.

What Does the Bible Say About Celebrities?

In modern culture, celebrities often hold influence over millions. The Bible doesn’t use the term “celebrity,” but it does talk about people who are well-known, admired, or celebrated. Scripture reminds us that even famous people are accountable to God.

Psalm 49:16-17 – “Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die.”
Romans 12:3 – “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.”

While it is not sinful to be a public figure, the Bible warns against idolizing celebrities or letting their influence replace God’s truth.

Examples of Fame in the Bible

The Bible contains several examples of people who became famous:

David – After defeating Goliath, his fame spread throughout Israel (1 Samuel 18:6–7).
Solomon – Known for his wisdom, kings and queens from all nations came to hear him (1 Kings 10:1).
Jesus – His fame spread quickly because of His teachings and miracles (Matthew 4:24).
Paul – Though not famous in the worldly sense, his influence spread through his missionary work and letters.

These examples show that fame itself is not sinful, but how it is used matters. Some used fame to glorify God, while others, like King Saul or Nebuchadnezzar, let it lead to pride and downfall.

40 Powerful Bible Verses About Fame

Here are 40 Bible verses about fame to guide you in understanding recognition, humility, and God’s view on honor:

Proverbs 27:2 – “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
Jeremiah 9:23–24 – “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me.”
Matthew 6:1 – “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.”
John 12:43 – “For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”
Proverbs 22:1 – “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
Galatians 1:10 – “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?”
1 Peter 5:6 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Colossians 3:23–24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.”
Matthew 23:12 – “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Psalm 75:6–7 – “For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another.”
Luke 6:26 – “Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.”
1 Corinthians 1:31 – “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Isaiah 2:17 – “The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”
2 Corinthians 10:17–18 – “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”
James 4:6 – “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Psalm 49:16–17 – “Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die.”
Matthew 20:26–27 – “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”
Mark 8:36 – “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
Romans 12:3 – “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.”
1 Samuel 18:7 – “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
Daniel 4:37 – “Those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
Psalm 115:1 – “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory.”
John 3:30 – “He must become greater; I must become less.”
Ecclesiastes 1:2 – “Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Proverbs 29:23 – “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
Isaiah 42:8 – “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.”
Micah 6:8 – “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Romans 11:36 – “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!”
Psalm 37:4 – “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Luke 14:11 – “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
John 5:44 – “How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?”
Matthew 19:30 – “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”
Psalm 84:11 – “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor.”
Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.”
Isaiah 66:2 – “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit.”
Matthew 4:24 – “News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases.”
Psalm 34:2 – “My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.”

Conclusion

Fame in itself is not sinful, it is how we pursue and handle it that matters. The Bible warns against pride, self-promotion, and idolizing people, but it also shows that God can use fame to spread His Word and bring glory to His name.

When we meditate on these Bible verses about fame, we are reminded to keep our focus on God’s glory rather than our own. True honor and recognition come from serving the Lord faithfully, not from seeking the applause of men.