11 Bible Verses About Integrity
13 May 2026
|
Compiled by Mr. Whitney V. Myers
|
This article presents 11 Bible verses about integrity, the biblical definition of integrity, and ten principles of integrity in the Bible. Bible verse quotations are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).
This article is a companion to the lesson, "Walking in Integrity" (Ref. 2).
This article is a companion to the lesson, "Walking in Integrity" (Ref. 2).
Biblical Definition of Integrity
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word [tom, pronounced tome] translated as "integrity" means both moral innocence and completeness (Ref. 3). A life that is "complete" before the Lord is consistent between confession (what one says) and conduct (what one does). In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for integrity occurs 24 times (Englishman's Concordance - Ref. 3).
In the New Testament, in the ESV, the English word for "integrity" occurs only one time in Titus 2:7 and means incorruptibility (Ref. 4). The Greek word [aphtharsia] translated as "integrity" in Titus 2:7 occurs eight times in the New Testament. However, in the other New Testament occurrences in the ESV, aphtharsia is translated as "imperishable," "immortality," or "incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 15:42, 1 Corinthians 15:53, Ephesians 6:24, Ref. 4).
In the New Testament, in the ESV, the English word for "integrity" occurs only one time in Titus 2:7 and means incorruptibility (Ref. 4). The Greek word [aphtharsia] translated as "integrity" in Titus 2:7 occurs eight times in the New Testament. However, in the other New Testament occurrences in the ESV, aphtharsia is translated as "imperishable," "immortality," or "incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 15:42, 1 Corinthians 15:53, Ephesians 6:24, Ref. 4).
Principles of Integrity in the Bible
1. Integrity means being innocent and not sinning before God
Genesis 20:5-6 - "Did he not himself say to me, 'She is my sister'? And she herself said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this." 6 Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her."
2. Integrity means conducting our lives according to God's commandments
1 Kings 9:4-5 - (The Lord speaking to Solomon) "And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my rules, 5 then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, 'You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'"
Notes:
a. God expects integrity as a requirement for "kingship."
b. God expects all people who walk before him to keep his commandments. God's commands in the Old Testament are summarized in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21).
c. In response to a question from a lawyer, Jesus stated the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:35-39).
Notes:
a. God expects integrity as a requirement for "kingship."
b. God expects all people who walk before him to keep his commandments. God's commands in the Old Testament are summarized in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21).
c. In response to a question from a lawyer, Jesus stated the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:35-39).
3. We are to hold fast to our integrity even when we are suffering, or experiencing tragedies or loss
Job 2:3 - "And the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.'"
Job 2:9-10 - "Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.' 10 But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips."
Job 2:9-10 - "Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.' 10 But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips."
4. Integrity and uprightness preserve [guard and protect] us
Psalm 25:21 - "May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you."
Note: Here the Hebrew word for "preserve" means to guard and protect (Ref. 5). We should pray that though God's help, our integrity will act as our guardian to keep us from our foes and our own sinfulness (Ref. 6).
Note: Here the Hebrew word for "preserve" means to guard and protect (Ref. 5). We should pray that though God's help, our integrity will act as our guardian to keep us from our foes and our own sinfulness (Ref. 6).
5. Integrity is a decision to walk uprightly throughout our life
Psalm 26:11 NASB - "But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me, and be gracious to me."
Note: In Psalm 26:11, David purposes to walk (conduct his life) in integrity. This contrasts with the two previous verses where he asks God not to take his soul away with "sinners," "men of bloodshed," the wicked, or those "whose right hands are full of bribes" (Psalm 26:9-10 NASB).
Note: In Psalm 26:11, David purposes to walk (conduct his life) in integrity. This contrasts with the two previous verses where he asks God not to take his soul away with "sinners," "men of bloodshed," the wicked, or those "whose right hands are full of bribes" (Psalm 26:9-10 NASB).
6. Integrity begins at home
Psalm 101:2 - "I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house."
Note: Our walking in integrity begins at home -- in our relationships, and in our example before our children.
Note: Our walking in integrity begins at home -- in our relationships, and in our example before our children.
7. Integrity is key to a secure life
Proverbs 10:9 - "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."
8. Integrity is our guide
Proverbs 11:3 NASB - "The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the treacherous will destroy them."
Note: Integrity guides us. It is not only directional, but also relational. He or she that the Lord leads is accompanied, protected, and instructed by the Lord (Ref. 7).
Note: Integrity guides us. It is not only directional, but also relational. He or she that the Lord leads is accompanied, protected, and instructed by the Lord (Ref. 7).
9. Our integrity is a blessing to our family
10. Integrity [purity and incorruptibility] should show in our teaching and in our lives
Titus 2:7 - "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity."
Note: The English word, "integrity," occurs only once in the English Standard Bible New Testament - here, in Titus 2:7. The Apostle Paul is instructing Titus (Titus 1:1, 4) to show integrity [incorruptibility] in his teaching (Ref. 4). Not only is our teaching to be pure and incorruptible, but also our lives.
Note: The English word, "integrity," occurs only once in the English Standard Bible New Testament - here, in Titus 2:7. The Apostle Paul is instructing Titus (Titus 1:1, 4) to show integrity [incorruptibility] in his teaching (Ref. 4). Not only is our teaching to be pure and incorruptible, but also our lives.
References
1. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/
2. https://www.scriptureway.com/home/walking-in-integrity
3. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8537.htm
4. https://biblehub.com/greek/861.htm
5. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5341.htm
6. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/kad/psalms/25.htm
Keil and Delitzsch OT Commentary - Psalm 25:21
7. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5148.htm
1. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/
2. https://www.scriptureway.com/home/walking-in-integrity
3. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8537.htm
4. https://biblehub.com/greek/861.htm
5. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5341.htm
6. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/kad/psalms/25.htm
Keil and Delitzsch OT Commentary - Psalm 25:21
7. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5148.htm