14 Bible Verses about Motives, Examples Of

Some indeed do it in a spirit of envy and strife; but some also preach Christ with cordial good-will: the one indeed preach Christ out of contention, not with purity of intention, thinking to add affliction to my bonds: but the others of love, knowing that I am exposed for the defence of the gospel.read more.
What then? if Christ is preached in whatever manner it be, whether in pretext or reality, even in this do I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Now the generation of Jesus Christ was attended with these circumstances: His mother Mary being betrothed to Joseph, before they cohabited together, she was found with child from the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband being a just man, and not willing to expose her publicly, designed to put her away privately. And as he was revolving the matter in his mind, behold, an angel of the Lord in a dream appeared unto him, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary for thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Thereupon Herod secretly calling to him the Magians, enquired very particularly of them the time of the star's appearing, and sending them to Bethlehem said, Go, and procure the most exact information respecting this child; and when you have found him, bring me intelligence, that I may come, and pay him homage also. So having heard the king, they went on; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the East, had gone before them, till it came and stood over the place where the infant was.read more.
And when they saw the star, they were exceedingly transported with joy. And coming into the house, they found the infant with Mary his mother, and falling prostrate, they paid their homage to him. And opening their treasures, they made their offerings to him, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And having received warning in a dream not to go back to Herod, they departed into their own country by another road. Now when they were gone, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the infant and his mother by night, and flee into Egypt, and stay there, till I speak to thee, for Herod will search for the infant to destroy it.

Then said one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, who was preparing to betray him, Wherefore was not this aromatic ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor? Now he said this, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and kept the purse, and carried the money put therein.

For there are many disorderly persons vainly talkative, and under a spirit of delusion, especially some of the circumcised; whose mouths ought to be muzzled, who pervert whole families, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of base gain.

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; because I always do the things acceptable to him.

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

For I came down from heaven, not with a view to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, "Sacrifice and oblation thou hast not chosen, but thou hast exactly fashioned a body for me: thou hast had no delight in whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin: then I said, Here am I; (in the volume of the book it is written of me) I come to do thy will, O God."

And our exhortation originated not from delusion, or impurity, or from guile; but as we have been approved of God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we insinuating language, as ye know, nor a pretext for covetousness; God is witness:read more.
not seeking glory from men, neither from you, nor from others, though we might have been burdensome, as apostles of Christ.

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

wherefore also our ambition is, that whether dwelling in the body, or out of the body, we may be acceptable to him. For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each may receive the things done in the body according to what he hath done, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we have been made manifest to God, and I hope also have been made manifest in your consciences.read more.
For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have an answer for those who glory in countenance, and not in heart.

Nevertheless ye have done nobly in your communications to me during my affliction. But know also, Philippians, that at my first preaching the gospel, when I went from Macedonia, no church communicated to me in the way of giving and receiving but ye alone. For in Thessalonica also ye sent me once, yea twice, a supply for my want.read more.
Not that I am anxious for a gift; but I am anxious to see fruit abounding on your account. But I have now all things, and abound: I am full, having received from Epaphroditus your bounty, an odour of sweet smell, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

But if it be his will, that I should live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my travail: and what to chuse I know not. For I am in a strait between the two, having an earnest longing to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, for this is far, far better: but to abide in the flesh may be more necessary for you.read more.
And being so persuaded, I know that I shall stay and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith; that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus for me by my coming again unto you.