14 Bible Verses about Motives, Examples Of

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.read more.
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: when his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Josnt her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to put her to public shame, was resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

Then Herod called the wise men secretly and determined from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child, and when you have found him, bring back word to me, so that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, until it came to rest over the place where the child was.read more.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. On coming into the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of frankincense, and of myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Josnt in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief; and as he had the money box, he used to take what was put into it.

For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision. They must be silenced, because they are upsetting whole families by teaching things they ought not to teach for the sake of sordid gain.

And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him."

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book."

For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity, nor is it made with deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts. For, as you know, we never used flattery nor a pretext for greed God is witnessread more.
nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

For we are not, like so many, peddling the word of God; but as men of sincerity, as from God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.read more.
We are not again commending ourselves to you, but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you may have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that in the first preaching of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you only; for even in Thessalonica you sent me a gift once and again for my needs.read more.
Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I do not know. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.read more.
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.