15 Bible Verses about Ministers

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a modius [1.916 gallon measure], but on a candlestick, and it shines to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father in heaven.

to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among the sanctified by faith in me.

for they declare of us what introduction we had to you, and how you turned from idols to God, to serve the living and true God,

O Timothy, keep the trust, turning away from profane and empty words, and contradictions of mis-named science,

nor attend to myths or interminable genealogies, which occasion disputes rather than a dispensation of God by faith, [do.]

But, moreover, it is required of stewards that one should be found faithful.

and what you heard from me through many witnesses, these things commit to faithful men, who shall be competent to teach others also.

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a mountain cannot be hid.

He was a burning and shining light, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.

and to esteem them very highly in love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Therefore, having this ministry, as we have obtained mercy we faint not,

of which I was made a minister by the gracious gift of God, given to me by the operation of his power.

if indeed you continue founded and established in the faith, and not moved from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached in all the creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the writing but of the spirit; for the writing kills, but the spirit makes alive.

of which I was made a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher of the nations;

And for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.

preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the doctrines concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

And they went abroad and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the accompanying miracles.

AND in those days came John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,

And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having the eternal gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people,

And that I might not be elated with my extraordinary revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me, that I should not be too much exalted.

Even to this hour we suffer hunger and thirst and nakedness, and are beaten, and are unsettled,

in stripes, in imprisonments, in dissensions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings,

Are they ministers of Christ? I speak foolishly, I am more; in labors most abundant, in stripes above measure, in imprisonments most abundant, in deaths often;

Wherefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not to admonish every one of you with tears.

If therefore I wrote to you, it was not on account of him that did the wrong, nor on account of him that suffered wrong, but that our diligence in your behalf might be manifest before God.

Besides things without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

For I fear lest when I come I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found such as you wish not; lest there shall be strife, envy, anger, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, pride, dissensions;

I am afraid of you, lest I have expended labor on you in vain.

being displeased because they taught the people and declared by Jesus the resurrection of the dead;

and Philip going down to a city of Samaria preached Christ to them.

And Philip opening his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him the good news of Jesus.

and immediately in the synagogues he preached Jesus, that this is the Son of God.

The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching the good news of peace by Jesus Christ,??e is Lord of all,??37 you know; the word which was [preached] through all Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism which John preached,

being displeased because they taught the people and declared by Jesus the resurrection of the dead;

and Philip going down to a city of Samaria preached Christ to them.

And Philip opening his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him the good news of Jesus.

and immediately in the synagogues he preached Jesus, that this is the Son of God.

The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching the good news of peace by Jesus Christ,??e is Lord of all,??37 you know; the word which was [preached] through all Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism which John preached,

and set them before the Apostles; and they having prayed imposed hands on them.

Neglect not the gift which is in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the imposition of hands of the eldership.

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither partake of others' sins. Keep yourself pure.

For which cause I admonish you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the imposition of my hands.

For God is not unjust, to forget your work, and the love which you showed for his name, having served the saints and [still] serving them.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

But he that looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, not being a forgetful hearer but a doer of work, he shall be blessed in his doing.

and whoever gives you a cup of water because you are Christ's, truly he shall not lose his reward.

And he said to them, Go into all the world, preach the good news to all the creation;

What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light, and what you hear in the ear, preach on the house-tops.

and as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

preach the word, press it in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and instruction;

But he said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but do you go and proclaim abroad the kingdom of God.

And he said to them, Go into all the world, preach the good news to all the creation;

What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light, and what you hear in the ear, preach on the house-tops.

and as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

preach the word, press it in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and instruction;

But he said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but do you go and proclaim abroad the kingdom of God.

For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that threshes; and, The laborer is worthy of his reward.

nor a provision sack for the way, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor staves; for the laborer is worthy of his support;

So also the Lord has appointed to those who preach the gospel to live by the gospel.

Let him that is taught the word communicate with him that teaches of all good things.

But you did well to communicate with my affliction,

For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox that threshes; and, The laborer is worthy of his reward.

nor a provision sack for the way, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor staves; for the laborer is worthy of his support;

So also the Lord has appointed to those who preach the gospel to live by the gospel.

Let him that is taught the word communicate with him that teaches of all good things.

But you did well to communicate with my affliction,

well reputed for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has exercised hospitality, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the distressed, if she has pursued every good work.

It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circumspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach,

contribute to the necessity of saints, practise hospitality.

but a lover of hospitality, kind, sober, just, holy, self-denying,

Forget not hospitality; for by this some without knowing it have entertained angels.

Take heed to yourselves, therefore, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he has purchased with his blood.

He said to him a third time; Simon, son of John, are you a friend to me? Peter was grieved that he said to him the third time, Are you a friend to me? and he said to him, Lord you know all things; you know that I am a friend to you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep.

Take heed to yourselves, therefore, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he has purchased with his blood.

He said to him a third time; Simon, son of John, are you a friend to me? Peter was grieved that he said to him the third time, Are you a friend to me? and he said to him, Lord you know all things; you know that I am a friend to you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep.

For we are not as many, who adulterate the word of God, [for gain]; but as of sincerity, but as of God, we speak before God in Christ.

For we used at no time a word of flattery, as you know, nor a pretext for covetousness, God is witness,

but have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but commending ourselves by the manifestation of the truth to every conscience of men before God.

For our exhortation was not of error, nor of impurity, nor with deceit,

teaching them to keep all things which I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always till the consummation of the world.

It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circumspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach,

And let those who have believing masters not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather serve, because they are believers and beloved, who partake of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

These things command and teach.

in meekness correcting the adversaries, that God may give them a change of mind to a knowledge of the truth,

teaching them to keep all things which I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always till the consummation of the world.

It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circumspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach,

And let those who have believing masters not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather serve, because they are believers and beloved, who partake of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

These things command and teach.

in meekness correcting the adversaries, that God may give them a change of mind to a knowledge of the truth,

Obey your guides and be in subjection; for they watch for your souls as having to give an account, that they may do this with joy and not with grief; for this is unprofitable for you.

in one an odor of death to death, and in the other an odor of life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

BE not many of you teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive a severer judgment.

and when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive an unfading crown of glory.

If any one's work continues which he has built, he shall receive a reward;

I tell you truly, that he will place him over all his estates.

For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, I am intrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That preaching I may make the gospel without expense, that I may not abuse my right in the gospel.

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and have such in estimation,

Let the elders who rule well be accounted worthy of a double compensation, especially those who labor in word and teaching.

Remember your guides who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the end of their life follow the faith.

and to esteem them very highly in love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Be followers of me, brothers, and observe those who walk so as you have us for an example.

not that we have not a right [to a support], but that we may make ourselves an example for you to follow us.

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the faithful, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

not as having a lordship over God's inheritance but being examples to the flock;

you also striving together for us in prayer, that thanks may be rendered for us by many persons for the gift bestowed on us by many.

Pray for us; for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things wishing to live well.

and for me, that a word may be given me at the opening of my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

But I exhort you by the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God for me,

so being greatly desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but our own souls, because you were dear to us.

as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you being all partakers of my grace.

as you know how we exhorted and comforted you, as a father each one of his own children,

For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the good news, not with a wisdom of speech lest the cross of Christ should be without effect.

and my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the spirit and power,

And when I came to you, brothers, I came not with excellency of speech, or wisdom, declaring to you the mystery of God.

Obey your guides and be in subjection; for they watch for your souls as having to give an account, that they may do this with joy and not with grief; for this is unprofitable for you.

I thank my God at every remembrance of you,

I thank my God always for you, for the grace of God given you in Christ Jesus,

For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you for all the joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God,

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and have such in estimation,

Let the elders who rule well be accounted worthy of a double compensation, especially those who labor in word and teaching.

and to esteem them very highly in love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Let him that is taught the word communicate with him that teaches of all good things.

Who ever goes on a military expedition at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and eats not the fruit of it? or who feeds a flock and eats not of the milk of the flock? Do I say these things in the manner of men? or does not the law also say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, You shall not muzzle the ox that threshes. Does God care for oxen? read more.
or does he speak entirely for our sakes? For our sakes, doubtless, it was written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and that he who threshes in hope should partake of it. If we have sown for you spiritual things, is it too much if we reap your earthly things?

feed the flock of God which is among you, not by constraint but willingly, not for base gain but of a ready mind,

The deacons in like manner ought to be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not devoted to base gain,

I have coveted no man's silver or gold or clothing;

not a wine-drinker, not a quarrelsome man, but gentle, not contentious, not avaricious,

Take heed to yourselves, therefore, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he has purchased with his blood.

feed the flock of God which is among you, not by constraint but willingly, not for base gain but of a ready mind,

When therefore they had breakfasted, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord, you know that I am a friend to you. He said to him, Feed my lambs. Again he said to him a second time; Simon, son of John, do you love me? He said to him, Yes, Lord, you know that I am a friend to you. He said to him, Feed my sheep. He said to him a third time; Simon, son of John, are you a friend to me? Peter was grieved that he said to him the third time, Are you a friend to me? and he said to him, Lord you know all things; you know that I am a friend to you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

But now Timothy having come to us from you and told us the good news of your faith and love, and that you have a good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us, as we also you, therefore we were comforted, brothers, on your account in all our affliction and distress by your faith, for now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. read more.
For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you for all the joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God,

What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light, and what you hear in the ear, preach on the house-tops. And fear not those who kill the body and are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Be without offense both to Jews and Greeks, and the church of God, as I also please all in all things, not seeking my own profit but that of many, that they may be saved.

Behold, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be burdensome to you; for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children.

neither did we seek glory of men, either of you or of others, when we might have been burdensome as apostles of Christ;

For you remember, brothers, our labor and weariness; that working night and day not to be burdensome to any one of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

What then is my reward? That preaching I may make the gospel without expense, that I may not abuse my right in the gospel.

but a lover of hospitality, kind, sober, just, holy, self-denying,

For if I should even boast some of our authority which the Lord gave for your edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.

For this reason, being absent, I write these things, that I may not use sharpness when present, with the power which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down.

For if I should even boast some of our authority which the Lord gave for your edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.

For this reason, being absent, I write these things, that I may not use sharpness when present, with the power which the Lord has given me for building up, and not for pulling down.

But as you abound in every thing, in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us, [we desire] that you may abound in this grace also.

But now Timothy having come to us from you and told us the good news of your faith and love, and that you have a good remembrance of us always, desiring to see us, as we also you,

and Philip going down to a city of Samaria preached Christ to them.

And Philip opening his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him the good news of Jesus.

For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

but by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, but not I but the grace of God with me.

so neither is he that plants any thing, nor he that waters, but God that causes it to grow.

as you have also acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And I wrote the same to you that coming I might not have sorrow for those in whom I ought to have joy, having trusted in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.

being afflicted in every thing but not distressed, being perplexed but not in despair,

as grieving but always rejoicing, as poor but making many rich, as having nothing and possessing all things.

Be followers of me, brothers, and observe those who walk so as you have us for an example.

Be followers of me as I also am of Christ.

for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ,

Do you again think that we are defending ourselves? We speak in Christ before God; all these things, beloved, are for your edification.

For do I now obey man, or God? or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I could not have been a servant of Christ.

but as we were judged worthy by God to be intrusted with the gospel so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tries our hearts.

and the servant of the Lord must not contend, but must be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient under evil,

but we were gentle among you, as a nurse would cherish her own children;

Obey your guides and be in subjection; for they watch for your souls as having to give an account, that they may do this with joy and not with grief; for this is unprofitable for you.

that you also be in subjection to such, and to every one that works and labors with us.

and my trial in my flesh you despised not nor rejected, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

Let a man so regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

for I have not kept back from declaring to you all the counsel of God.

how I kept not back from declaring to you and teaching you publicly and from house to house any thing that was profitable,

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

but in every thing commending ourselves as ministers of God, in great patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

and the servant of the Lord must not contend, but must be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient under evil,

not that we are sufficient of ourselves to reason out any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God, who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the writing but of the spirit; for the writing kills, but the spirit makes alive.

But if that evil servant says in his heart, My Lord delays his coming, and begins to beat his fellow-servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the Lord of that servant will come on a day when he looks not for him, and at an hour that he knows not of, read more.
and will punish him with the utmost severity, and appoint his portion with hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of the teeth.

Suggesting these things to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished with the words of the faith and the good instruction which you have followed;

in Sawyer]those from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel,

But life precious to myself, I make of no account that I may finish my course and the service which I received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

according to my expectation and hope that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but with all boldness as always also now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. Because for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father,

always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

For there are many disorderly wranglers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whom it is necessary to silence, who mislead whole families, teaching for base gain what they ought not.

he that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that disbelieves shall be condemned.

For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the good news, not with a wisdom of speech lest the cross of Christ should be without effect.

Till I come attend to reading, exhortation, teaching.

Study these things, be much in them, that your improvement may be manifest to all.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith;

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before concerning you, that by them you may perform an honorable service,

ruling well his own house, having his children in subjection with all dignity,??5 but if any one knows not how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God???6 not a novice, lest being inflated with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling well their children and their own houses.

It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circumspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach,

and the servant of the Lord must not contend, but must be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient under evil,

Yes, I beseech you also, faithful yoke-fellow, help those women who strove in the gospel with me, with Clement and the rest of my co-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.

Salute Urbanus our co-laborer in Christ, and Stachus my beloved.

Let them go; they are blind guides of the blind. But if the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into the pit.

having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

He that hears you, hears me; and he that rejects you, rejects me; and he that rejects me, rejects him that sent me.

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the faithful, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

All things therefore which they tell you, do and keep. But do not their works. For they say and do not,

Therefore we also, from the day that we heard, cease not to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

but a lover of hospitality, kind, sober, just, holy, self-denying,

No one who serves as a soldier is involved in the business of life, that he may please him who has employed him as a soldier.

But he said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but do you go and proclaim abroad the kingdom of God.

For a bishop must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-indulgent, not soon angry, not given to wine, not contentious, not devoted to base gain,

not a wine-drinker, not a quarrelsome man, but gentle, not contentious, not avaricious,

For a bishop must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-indulgent, not soon angry, not given to wine, not contentious, not devoted to base gain,

It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circumspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach,

It is necessary therefore that a bishop should be blameless, a husband of one wife, circumspect, sober, well-behaved, hospitable, apt to teach,

but a lover of hospitality, kind, sober, just, holy, self-denying,

For a bishop must be blameless as a steward of God, not self-indulgent, not soon angry, not given to wine, not contentious, not devoted to base gain,

not a wine-drinker, not a quarrelsome man, but gentle, not contentious, not avaricious,

And no one takes the honor on himself but he that is called by God, even as Aaron also was.

and with covetousness they will make a gain of you with feigned words, whose judgment a long time lingers not, and their destruction slumbers not.