15 Bible Verses about Ministers

"Ye are the light of the world: a city, set upon a hill, cannot he hid. Nor do they light a lamp, and put it under the measure, but on the lamp-stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven.

to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'

for they themselves report, concerning us, what manner of entrance we had to you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

O Timothy, guard the deposit; turning away from the profane babblings, and oppositions of that which is falsely called knowledge;

nor to give heed to fables and endless genealogies; which, indeed, occasion disputes rather than God's dispensation, which is in faith, so do I now.

Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that one be found faithful.

And the things which you heard from me, through many witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who will be competent to teach others also.

"Ye are the light of the world: a city, set upon a hill, cannot he hid.

He was a lamp that was burning and shining; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

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

Therefore, having this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not;

of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God which was given to me according to the working of His power.

if, at least, ye continue in the faith, founded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under the heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Who also qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive.

for which I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.

For to this end was the Gospel proclaimed even to the dead, that they might, indeed, be judged according to men in flesh, but live according to God in spirit.

preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom of speech, without hindrance.

And they, going forth, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word through the signs closely following.

Now in those days comes John, the Immerser, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

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

And, that I might not be exalted overmuch by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch.

Even until this present hour, we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;

in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in toilings, in watchings, in fastings;

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as beside myself) I am more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often;

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

So, although I wrote to you, it was not on account of him who did the wrong, nor of him who suffered wrong, but that your earnest care on our behalf might be manifested to you in the sight of God.

Apart from those things without, that which is a pressure upon me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies.

For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I desire, and that I, too, should be found by you such as ye do not desire; lest, by any means, there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;

I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have toiled for you in vain.

being greatly troubled because of their teaching the people, and declaring in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And Philip, having come down to the city of Samaria, preached to them the Christ.

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

and straightway in the synagogues he was preaching Jesus, that He is the Son of God.

He sent the word to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ, (He is Lord of all):

being greatly troubled because of their teaching the people, and declaring in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And Philip, having come down to the city of Samaria, preached to them the Christ.

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

and straightway in the synagogues he was preaching Jesus, that He is the Son of God.

He sent the word to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ, (He is Lord of all):

whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you through prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the eldership.

Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be partaker of other men's sins. Keep yourself pure.

For which cause, I put you in remembrance that you stir into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of hands.

for God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and the love which ye showed toward His name, in having ministered to the saints, and still ministering.

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

But he who looks carefully into a perfect law??hat of liberty??nd remains by it, becoming not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work??his man shall be happy in his doing.

For whosoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because ye are Christ's, verily I say to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

And He said to them, "Going into all the world, preach the Gospel to the whole creation.

What I am saying to you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.

And, while going, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven has come nigh.'

preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.

And He said, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but, going, publish abroad the Kingdom of God."

And He said to them, "Going into all the world, preach the Gospel to the whole creation.

What I am saying to you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.

And, while going, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven has come nigh.'

preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.

And He said, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but, going, publish abroad the Kingdom of God."

For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox while threshing," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

nor wallet for your journey, nor two coats, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer is worthy of his food.

Even so did the Lord ordain, that those who proclaim the Gospel should live by the Gospel.

But let him who is being taught in the word share with him who is teaching, in all good things.

Notwithstanding, ye did well, in sharing with me in my tribulation.

For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox while threshing," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

nor wallet for your journey, nor two coats, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer is worthy of his food.

Even so did the Lord ordain, that those who proclaim the Gospel should live by the Gospel.

But let him who is being taught in the word share with him who is teaching, in all good things.

Notwithstanding, ye did well, in sharing with me in my tribulation.

noted for good works; if she nourished children, if she used hospitality, if she washed the saints' feet, if she relieved those in tribulation, if she diligently followed every good work.

It is needful, therefore, that the bishop be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach,

communicating to the necessities of the saints; cultivating hospitality.

but hospitable, a lover of good, sober-minded, righteous, pious, temperate;

Do not forget to show love for strangers; for thereby some entertained angels unawares.

Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit appointed you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

He saith to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you fondly love Me?" Peter was grieved, because He said to him the third time "Do you fondly love Me?" and he said to Him, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I do fondly love Thee." Jesus saith to him, "Feed My sheep.

Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit appointed you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

He saith to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you fondly love Me?" Peter was grieved, because He said to him the third time "Do you fondly love Me?" and he said to Him, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I do fondly love Thee." Jesus saith to him, "Feed My sheep.

For we are not as the many, making merchandise of the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

For neither, at any time, did we use a word of flattery, as ye know, nor a semblance of covetousness, God is witness;

but we renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, not handling the word of God deceitfully; but, by the manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile;

teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you; and, behold, I am with you all the days, even to the end of the age."

It is needful, therefore, that the bishop be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach,

And let those having believing masters not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the more, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

These things command and teach.

in meekness correcting those opposing themselves, if peradventure God should give them repentance to a full knowledge of the truth,

teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you; and, behold, I am with you all the days, even to the end of the age."

It is needful, therefore, that the bishop be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach,

And let those having believing masters not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the more, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

These things command and teach.

in meekness correcting those opposing themselves, if peradventure God should give them repentance to a full knowledge of the truth,

Obey those who are your leaders, and submit to them; for they watch in behalf of your souls, as those who are to give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with sighing; for this would be unprofitable for you.

to the one class a savor of death unto death, and to the other a savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

My brethren, become not many of you teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment.

and, when the Chief Shepherd is manifested, ye will obtain the unfading crown of glory.

If any one's work which he built thereon shall remain, he shall receive a reward.

Verily I say to you, that he will appoint him over all his possessions.

For, if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but, if unwillingly, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What, then, is my reward? That, when proclaiming the Gospel, I may make the Gospel without charge, to the end that I may not fully use my right in the Gospel.

Receive him, therefore, in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor;

Let elders who preside well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching.

Remember those who are your leaders, who spake to you the word of God; and, considering the issue of whose manner of life, imitate their faith.

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

Brethren, become imitators together of me, and mark those who so walk, as ye have us as an example.

not because we have not authority, but that we might give ourselves as a model to you, that ye might imitate us.

Let no one despise your youth; but become a model for believers, in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

neither as lording it over the allotted charges, but becoming examples to the flock;

ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the mercy bestowed upon us by means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Pray for us; for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to deport ourselves honestly in all things.

and on my behalf that utterance may be given to me, in opening my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel,

And I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the Gospel of God, but also our own souls, because ye became dear to us.

even as it is right for me to think this in behalf of you all; because ye have me in your heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, all of you being partakers with me of the grace.

as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying,

For Christ sent me not to immerse, but to proclaim the Gospel; not in wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.

And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power;

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God;

Obey those who are your leaders, and submit to them; for they watch in behalf of your souls, as those who are to give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with sighing; for this would be unprofitable for you.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you??4 always, in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all, making supplication with joy??5 on account of your fellowship for the Gospel, from the first day until now;

I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;

For what thanksgiving can we render again to God concerning you for all the joy wherewith we rejoice on your account before our God;

Receive him, therefore, in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor;

Let elders who preside well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching.

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

But let him who is being taught in the word share with him who is teaching, in all good things.

Who ever serves as a soldier at his own charges; Who plants a vineyard, and eats not of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock? Do I speak these things after the manner of man? Or does not the law also say the same? For in the law of Moses it has been written, "You shall not muzzle an ox while treading out the grain." Doth God care for the oxen? read more.
Or doth He say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written; because he that plows ought to plow in hope; and he that threshes ought to thresh in hope of partaking. If we sowed for you spiritual things, is it a great matter, if we shall reap your carnal things?

feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind;

It is needful that deacons, in like manner, be grave, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy of base gain;

I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or apparel.

not given to wine, not a striker, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,

Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit appointed you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it, not by constraint, but willingly; nor yet for base gain, but of a ready mind;

So, when they breakfasted, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He says to Him, "Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I fondly love Thee." He saith to him, "Feed My lambs." He saith to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He says to Him, "Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I fondly love Thee." He saith to him, "Feed My sheep." He saith to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you fondly love Me?" Peter was grieved, because He said to him the third time "Do you fondly love Me?" and he said to Him, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I do fondly love Thee." Jesus saith to him, "Feed My sheep.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?

But, Timothy having just now come to us from you, and having brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us at all times, longing to see us, as we also to see you??7 for this reason, brethren, we were comforted over you, in all our tribulation and distress, through your faith; because now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we render again to God concerning you for all the joy wherewith we rejoice on your account before our God;

What I am saying to you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And be not afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.

giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministry be not blamed;

Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews or Greeks, or to the assembly of God: even as I also, in all things, please all men: not seeking my own profit, but that of the many, that they may be saved.

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

nor seeking glory of men, neither from you, nor from others; though able to be in authority, as apostles of Christ.

For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil; working night and day, that we might not be burdensome to any of you, we preached to you the Gospel of God.

What, then, is my reward? That, when proclaiming the Gospel, I may make the Gospel without charge, to the end that I may not fully use my right in the Gospel.

but hospitable, a lover of good, sober-minded, righteous, pious, temperate;

For, even if I glory somewhat more abundantly concerning our authority??hich the Lord gave for building you up, and not for tearing you down?? shall not be put to shame;

For this cause, I write these things while absent; that I may not, when present, deal sharply according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not casting down.

For, even if I glory somewhat more abundantly concerning our authority??hich the Lord gave for building you up, and not for tearing you down?? shall not be put to shame;

For this cause, I write these things while absent; that I may not, when present, deal sharply according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not casting down.

But, as ye abound in everything??n faith, and speech, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us??ee that ye abound in this grace also.

But, Timothy having just now come to us from you, and having brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us at all times, longing to see us, as we also to see you??7 for this reason, brethren, we were comforted over you, in all our tribulation and distress, through your faith;

And Philip, having come down to the city of Samaria, preached to them the Christ.

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

for I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

But by God's grace I am what I am; and His grace which was bestowed upon me did not prove vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

So that neither is he that plants anything, nor he that waters; but God Who causeth it to grow.

as also ye did acknowledge in part, that we are your theme of boasting, as ye also will be ours in the day of our Lord Jesus.

And I wrote this very thing, that I might not, when I came, have sorrow from those of whom I ought to have joy; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

being pressed on every side, yet not cooped up; perplexed, yet not despairing;

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

Brethren, become imitators together of me, and mark those who so walk, as ye have us as an example.

Become imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.

with a view to the perfecting of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ;

Think ye all this time that we are excusing ourselves to you? Before God in Christ we are speaking; and all, beloved, for your edification.

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please men? If still I were pleasing men, I should not be Christ's servant.

but even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, Who proveth our hearts.

now a servant of the Lord must not engage in strife, but should be gentle towards all, apt in teaching, patient of wrong,

But we became gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherishes her own children:

Obey those who are your leaders, and submit to them; for they watch in behalf of your souls, as those who are to give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with sighing; for this would be unprofitable for you.

that ye also submit yourselves to such, and to every one who is laboring with us and toiling.

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

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

for I shrank not from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

how I shrank not from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and from teaching you publicly, and from house to house,

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

but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses,

now a servant of the Lord must not engage in strife, but should be gentle towards all, apt in teaching, patient of wrong,

not that we are sufficient of ourselves to reckon anything as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God; Who also qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive.

But, if that evil servant shall say in his heart, 'My lord is delaying,' and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant will come in a day when he is not expecting him, and in an hour when he knows not, read more.
and will cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There will be the weeping, and the gnashing of teeth!"

Suggesting these things to the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith and of the good teaching which you have strictly followed;

but the other proclaim Christ of contention, not sincerely, thinking to add tribulation to my bonds.

But I make not my soul of any value as dear to myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify the Gospel of the grace of God.

according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall in nothing be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether through life, or through death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

For this cause I bow my knees to the Father,

For there are many unruly men, vain-talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whom it is needful to reduce to silence: who, indeed, are overthrowing whole houses, teaching what they ought not, for the sake of base gain.

He that believes and is immersed shall be saved; but he that disbelieves shall be condemned.

For Christ sent me not to immerse, but to proclaim the Gospel; not in wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.

Until I come, give heed to the reading, to the exhortation, to the teaching.

Attend to these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your progress may be manifest to all.

I have contended in the noble contest, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

This charge I commit to you, child Timothy, according to the prophecies going before in respect to you, that you may war with these the noble warfare;

presiding well over his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity

Let deacons be husbands of one wife, presiding well over their own children and their own houses.

It is needful, therefore, that the bishop be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach,

now a servant of the Lord must not engage in strife, but should be gentle towards all, apt in teaching, patient of wrong,

Yea, I request you also, true yoke-fellow, help these women, who, indeed, labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and my remaining fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.

Salute Urbanus, our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

Let them alone; they are blind guides; and if a blind man be guiding a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

"He who hears you hears Me; and he who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects Him Who sent Me."

Let no one despise your youth; but become a model for believers, in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

All, therefore, whatsoever they bid you, do and observe; but do not according to their works; for they say and do not.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, cease not praying for you, and asking that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

but hospitable, a lover of good, sober-minded, righteous, pious, temperate;

No one, serving as a soldier, entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.

And He said, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but, going, publish abroad the Kingdom of God."

For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of base gain;

not given to wine, not a striker, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,

For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of base gain;

It is needful, therefore, that the bishop be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach,

It is needful, therefore, that the bishop be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, hospitable, apt to teach,

but hospitable, a lover of good, sober-minded, righteous, pious, temperate;

For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy of base gain;

not given to wine, not a striker, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money,

And no one takes the honor to himself, but, when called by God, as was also Aaron.

and, in covetousness, will they, with feigned words, make merchandise of you; for whom the judgment from of old lingers not, and their destruction slumbers not.