Acts 20:19

serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and trials which came on me because of the plots of the Jews [against me];

Acts 20:3

And he stayed three months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia (northern Greece).

Acts 20:31

Therefore be continually alert, remembering that for three years, night or day, I did not stop admonishing and advising each one [of you] with tears.

Romans 12:11

never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord;

2 Corinthians 2:4

For I wrote to you out of great distress and with an anguished heart, and with many tears, not to cause you sorrow but to make you realize the [overflowing] love which I have especially for you.

Philippians 3:18

For there are many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, who live as enemies of the cross of Christ [rejecting and opposing His way of salvation],

Colossians 3:24

knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.

Psalm 119:136


My eyes weep streams of water
Because people do not keep Your law.

Jeremiah 9:1

Oh that my head were waters
And my eyes a fountain of tears,
That I might weep day and night
For the slain of the daughter of my people!

Jeremiah 13:17


But if you will not listen and obey,
My soul will weep in secret for your pride;
My eyes will weep bitterly
And flow with tears,
Because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.

Luke 19:41

As He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it [and the spiritual ignorance of its people],

John 12:26

If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Acts 9:23-25

After considerable time had passed [about three years or so], the Jews plotted together to kill him,

Acts 13:50-51

But the Jews incited the devout, prominent women and the leading men of the city, and instigated persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them forcibly out of their district.

Acts 14:5-6

When there was an attempt by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their rulers, to shamefully mistreat and to stone them,

Acts 14:19-20

But Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

Acts 17:5

But the [unbelieving] Jews became jealous, and taking along some thugs from [the lowlifes in] the market place, they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and then attacking Jason’s house tried to bring Paul and Silas out to the people.

Acts 17:13

But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ] had also been preached by Paul at Berea, they came there too, agitating and disturbing the crowds.

Acts 27:23

For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,

Romans 1:1

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative), set apart for [preaching] the gospel of God [the good news of salvation],

Romans 1:9

For God, whom I serve with my spirit by preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how continuously I mention you

1 Corinthians 4:9-13

For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles at the end of the line, like men sentenced to death [and paraded as prisoners in a procession], because we have become a spectacle to the world [a show in the world’s amphitheater], both to angels and to men.

1 Corinthians 15:9-10

For I am the least [worthy] of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I [at one time] fiercely oppressed and violently persecuted the church of God.

2 Corinthians 3:5

Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God.

2 Corinthians 4:7-11

But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves.

2 Corinthians 7:5

For even when we arrived in Macedonia our bodies had no rest, but we were oppressed at every turn—conflicts and disputes without, fears and dread within.

2 Corinthians 11:23-30

Are they [self-proclaimed] servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if I were out of my mind—I am more so [for I exceed them]; with far more labors, with far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, and often in danger of death.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!

Galatians 1:10

Am I now trying to win the favor and approval of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please someone? If I were still trying to be popular with men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Galatians 4:13-14

On the contrary, you know that it was because of a physical illness that I [remained and] preached the gospel to you the first time;

Ephesians 6:7

rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not [only] to men,

1 Thessalonians 1:9

For they themselves report about us, telling what kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

2 Timothy 1:4

and as I recall your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.

James 1:2

Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.

1 Peter 1:6

In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

2 Peter 1:1

Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ,To those who have received and possess [by God’s will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

Revelation 7:15

For this reason, they are [standing] before the throne of God; and they serve Him [in worship] day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them and shelter and protect them [with His presence].

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Bible References

Serving

Acts 27:23
For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,
John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Romans 1:1
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative), set apart for [preaching] the gospel of God [the good news of salvation],
Romans 12:11
never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord;
Galatians 1:10
Am I now trying to win the favor and approval of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please someone? If I were still trying to be popular with men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Ephesians 6:7
rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not [only] to men,
Colossians 3:24
knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves report about us, telling what kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ,To those who have received and possess [by God’s will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
Revelation 7:15
For this reason, they are [standing] before the throne of God; and they serve Him [in worship] day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them and shelter and protect them [with His presence].

With all

1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least [worthy] of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I [at one time] fiercely oppressed and violently persecuted the church of God.
2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God.
2 Corinthians 7:5
For even when we arrived in Macedonia our bodies had no rest, but we were oppressed at every turn—conflicts and disputes without, fears and dread within.
2 Corinthians 12:7
Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!
Galatians 4:13
On the contrary, you know that it was because of a physical illness that I [remained and] preached the gospel to you the first time;

Many

Acts 20:31
Therefore be continually alert, remembering that for three years, night or day, I did not stop admonishing and advising each one [of you] with tears.
Psalm 119:136

My eyes weep streams of water
Because people do not keep Your law.
Jeremiah 9:1
Oh that my head were waters
And my eyes a fountain of tears,
That I might weep day and night
For the slain of the daughter of my people!
Jeremiah 13:17

But if you will not listen and obey,
My soul will weep in secret for your pride;
My eyes will weep bitterly
And flow with tears,
Because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.
Luke 19:41
As He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it [and the spiritual ignorance of its people],
2 Corinthians 2:4
For I wrote to you out of great distress and with an anguished heart, and with many tears, not to cause you sorrow but to make you realize the [overflowing] love which I have especially for you.
Philippians 3:18
For there are many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, who live as enemies of the cross of Christ [rejecting and opposing His way of salvation],
2 Timothy 1:4
and as I recall your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.

Temptations

1 Corinthians 4:9
For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles at the end of the line, like men sentenced to death [and paraded as prisoners in a procession], because we have become a spectacle to the world [a show in the world’s amphitheater], both to angels and to men.
2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves.
2 Corinthians 11:23
Are they [self-proclaimed] servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if I were out of my mind—I am more so [for I exceed them]; with far more labors, with far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, and often in danger of death.
James 1:2
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.
1 Peter 1:6
In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

By the

Acts 20:3
And he stayed three months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia (northern Greece).
Acts 9:23
After considerable time had passed [about three years or so], the Jews plotted together to kill him,
Acts 13:50
But the Jews incited the devout, prominent women and the leading men of the city, and instigated persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them forcibly out of their district.
Acts 14:5
When there was an attempt by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their rulers, to shamefully mistreat and to stone them,
Acts 17:5
But the [unbelieving] Jews became jealous, and taking along some thugs from [the lowlifes in] the market place, they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and then attacking Jason’s house tried to bring Paul and Silas out to the people.
2 Corinthians 11:26
many times on journeys, [exposed to] danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own countrymen, danger from the Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger on the sea, danger among those posing as believers;

General references

1 Corinthians 2:3
I came to you in [a state of] weakness and fear and great trembling.