14 Bible Verses about Motives, Examples Of

Some indeed preach Christ even through envy and strife; but some through good will. The one preach Christ out of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the others out of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.read more.
What then? still every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Now the birth of Christ was on this wise: His mother Mary, being espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and yet not willing to make her a publick example, purposed to put her away privily. But while he was thinking on these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take to thee Mary thy wife; for that which is begotten in her, is of the Holy Ghost.

Then Herod, having privately called the wise men, inquired of them with great exactness, at what time the star appeared: And sending them to Bethlehem, he said, Go, inquire exactly concerning the young child, and if ye find him, bring me word again, that I also may come and worship him. And having heard the king, they departed; and lo the star which they had seen in the East, moved on before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.read more.
And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And being come into the house, they saw the young child, with Mary his mother; and falling down, they worshiped him. And opening their treasures, they presented to him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream, not to return to Herod, they went back into their own country another way. And when they were gone back, behold an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and continue there till I shall tell thee; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was about to betray him, faith, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the purse, and bare what was put therein.

For there are many unruly vain-talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision, Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole families, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of filthy gain.

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

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

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

Therefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou hast not chosen, but a body hast thou prepared for me. Burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast not delighted in. Then I said, Lo I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.

For our exhortation is not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile. But as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness: God is witness:read more.
Nor sought we glory of men, neither from you, nor from others, when we might have been burdensome, as the Apostles of Christ.

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

Therefore we are ambitious, whether present, or absent, to be well-pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive according to what he hath done in the body, whether good or evil. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men: but we are made manifest to God, and I trust we are made manifest in your consciences also.read more.
We do not again recommend ourselves to you; but we give you an occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have something to answer them, who glory in appearance, and not in heart.

Nevertheless ye have done well, that ye did communicate to me in my affliction. And ye know likewise, O Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated to me in respect of giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again to my necessities.read more.
Not that I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received of Epaphroditus the things which came from you, an odour of a sweet smell, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

But if I am to live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour, and what I should chuse, I know not. For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, for it is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.read more.
And being persuaded of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith: That your rejoicing for me may abound through Christ Jesus, by my presence with you again.