15 Bible Verses about Ministers

You are the light of the world: a city that lies upon a mountain can not be hid: neither do men light a lamp and place it under the measure, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all that are in the house. In this way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

in order to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance among the sanctified, by faith in me.

For they themselves declare concerning us what kind of entrance we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

Timothy, keep that which is committed to your charge, avoiding those profane and empty babblings, and disputations about knowledge falsely so called;

nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which produce disputes rather than godly edification, which is in faith;

Now it is required in stewards, that each one be found faithful.

and the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses, these do you commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

You are the light of the world: a city that lies upon a mountain can not be hid:

He was the burning and shining lamp; and you were willing, for a time, to rejoice in his light.

and that you esteem them very highly in love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Wherefore, having this ministry, inasmuch as we have received 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, in proportion to the energy of his power:

if you continue in the faith, founded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, have been made a minister.

who has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of letter, but. of spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit makes alive.

to which I have been appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles;

For this cause, indeed, even those who have died had the gospel preached to them, that though they might be judged according to the will of men in the flesh, yet they might live according to the will of God in the spirit.

preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all boldness and without hinderance.

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

In those days came John the Immerser, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

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

And, lest I should be too much exalted by the excellence 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 too much exalted.

Even to this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are poorly clothed, and are maltreated, and wander about without a home,

in stripes, in prisons,, in commotions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

Are they ministers of Christ? (I say it foolishly,) I am above them. In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths often.

Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, by day and by night, I ceased not to warn every one of you with tears.

Therefore, though I wrote to you, it was not on account of him who did the wrong, nor on account of him who received the wrong; but that our diligent care for you, in the sight of God, might be made manifest to you.

besides those things which come upon me from other sources, I have a daily concourse of troubles my anxiety for all the churches.

For I fear, lest when I come I shall find you not, such as I wish, and I shall be found by you not such as you wish: lest there shall be contentions, envies, excitements, strife, evil speaking, whisperings, party spirit, disorderly conduct:

fear for you, lest I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.

being vexed because they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached the Christ to them.

And Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached to him Jesus.

and immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Sou of God.

The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, (he is Lord of all,)

being vexed because they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached the Christ to them.

And Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached to him Jesus.

and immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Sou of God.

The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, (he is Lord of all,)

whom they set before the apostles. And when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

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

Lay hands hastily on no man, nor be partaker of other men's sins: keep yourself pure.

Wherefore I exhort you to kindle up the gift of God that is in you by the laying on of my hands.

For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work, and the love which you have shown for his name by having ministered to the saints, and by continuing to minister.

Therefore, my be loved brethren, be firm, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; for you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

But he that looks intently into the perfect law of liberty, and remains constant, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, he shall be blessed in his deed.

For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink on this account, because you are Christ s, verily I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.

And he said to them: Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

"What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light: and what you hear in the ear, preach on the house-tops.

And as you go, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

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

Jesus said: Let the dead bury their own dead; but do you go and publish abroad the kingdom of God.

And he said to them: Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

"What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light: and what you hear in the ear, preach on the house-tops.

And as you go, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

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

Jesus said: Let the dead bury their own dead; but do you go and publish abroad the kingdom of God.

For the scripture says: You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain; and, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

nor bag for your journey, nor two coats, nor sandals, nor staffs: for the laborer is worthy of his support.

So, also, the Lord has ordained that those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel.

Let him that is instructed in the word share with his instructor in all good things.

Yet you have done well in contributing to the relief of my affliction.

For the scripture says: You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain; and, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

nor bag for your journey, nor two coats, nor sandals, nor staffs: for the laborer is worthy of his support.

So, also, the Lord has ordained that those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel.

Let him that is instructed in the word share with his instructor in all good things.

Yet you have done well in contributing to the relief of my affliction.

having a good reputation for good works; if she has borne children, if she has entertained strangers, if she has washed the saints feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

A bishop, then, must be blame less, the husband of one wife, watchful, soberminded, modest, hospitable, able to teach,

administer to the necessities of the saints; be careful to entertain strangers;

but hospitable, a lover of goodness, sober-minded, just, holy, temperate,

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for, by this means, some have unconsciously entertained angels.

Therefore, take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, that you be shepherds to the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

He said to him a third time: Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said to him: Feed my sheep.

Therefore, take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, that you be shepherds to the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

He said to him a third time: Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said to him: Feed my sheep.

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

For neither nattering words did we at any time use, as you know, nor a pretext for covetousness; God is witness:

but we have renounced the secret works of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God; but, by the manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

For our exhortation arose not from deception, nor from uncleanness, nor was it with guile;

teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo; I am with you all the days, even to the end of the age.

A bishop, then, must be blame less, the husband of one wife, watchful, soberminded, modest, hospitable, able to teach,

And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren: but rather let them serve them, because they who partake of the benefit of their service, are believers and beloved brethren. These things enforce in your teaching and exhortation.

These things command and teach.

in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves, if, possibly, God may give them repentance in order to the acknowledgment of the truth,

teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo; I am with you all the days, even to the end of the age.

A bishop, then, must be blame less, the husband of one wife, watchful, soberminded, modest, hospitable, able to teach,

And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren: but rather let them serve them, because they who partake of the benefit of their service, are believers and beloved brethren. These things enforce in your teaching and exhortation.

These things command and teach.

in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves, if, possibly, God may give them repentance in order to the acknowledgment of the truth,

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive: for they watch for your souls, as those who must give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for that would be fatal to you.

to the one, we are the odor of death ending in death; to the other, the odor of life ending in life: and who is sufficient for these things?

My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive the crown of glory that fades not away.

If any man's work abide, which he builds on this, he shall receive a reward;

Verily I say to you, That he will make him ruler over all his goods.

For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, an apostolic stewardship has been intrusted to me. What, then, is my reward? That, while I preach, I may make the gospel of Christ to be without charge, in order that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Receive him, therefore, in the Lord with all joy, and regard such as worthy of honor;

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

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God: attentively consider the result of their conduct, and imitate their faith.

and that you esteem them very highly in love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Be imitators of me, brethren, and observe those who thus walk as you have us for an example.

this we did, not because we have not authority, but that we might give ourselves to you as an example, in order that you might imitate us.

Let no one despise your youth; but be an example to the believers, in word, in behavior, in love, in spirit, in faithfulness, in purity.

neither as being lords over God's possessions, but being examples to the flock.

if you also unite in prayer for our aid, that the favor bestowed on us, through the intercession of many persons, may cause thanks to be given by many for us.

Pray for us: for we trust that we have a good conscience, willing to live honor ably in all things.

and for me, that speech may be given me, in opening my mouth with boldness, that I may make known the mystery of the gospel,

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

so, having a strong affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives also, because you had become dear to us.

as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; both in my bonds and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, I say I have you all in my heart as being joint par takers of my grace.

as indeed you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father his children,

For Christ sent me not to immerse, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of speech, lest the cross of the Christ should be deprived of its power.

and my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellence of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive: for they watch for your souls, as those who must give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for that would be fatal to you.

I thank my God on every remembrance of you

I thank my God always on your account, for the grace of God which is given to you in Christ Jesus;

For what thanks can we render to God for you, for the great joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God,

Receive him, therefore, in the Lord with all joy, and regard such as worthy of honor;

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

and that you esteem them very highly in love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Let him that is instructed in the word share with his instructor in all good things.

What man ever serves as a soldier, at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and eats not of its fruit? Or who tends a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock? Do I speak these things as a man? Or does not the law, also, say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses: You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain? Has God a care for oxen? read more.
or does he say it wholly for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, it was written: that he that plows should plow in hope, and that he that thrashes should thrash in hope of partaking. If we have sown, for your benefit, things that are spiritual, is it a great thing that we reap your carnal things?

Act as shepherds to the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; not for the sake of sordid gain, but from readiness of mind:

The deacons, likewise, must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not makers of money by base means,

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

not fond of wine, not quarrelsome, not one who makes money by base means; but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;

Therefore, take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, that you be shepherds to the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

Act as shepherds to the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; not for the sake of sordid gain, but from readiness of mind:

When, therefore, they had taken breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon, son of Jonah, Do you love me more than these? He said to him: Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my lambs. He said to him again a second time: Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? He said to him: Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Be a shepherd to my sheep. He said to him a third time: Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said to him: Feed my sheep.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? -You indeed are our glory and

But now, since Timothy has come to us from you, and has told us the good news of your faith and love, and that you have a good remembrance of us at all times, greatly desiring to see us, as indeed we desire to see you, for this reason we are comforted concerning you, brethren, in all our distress and affliction, by your faith: for now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. read more.
For what thanks can we render to God for you, for the great joy with which we rejoice on your account before our God,

"What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light: and what you hear in the ear, preach on the house-tops. And fear not them that 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.

for we put no stumbling-block in any man's way, in order that this ministry may not be blamed;

Give no occasion for stumbling, either to the Jews, or to the Greeks, or to the church of God; even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own good, but that of the many, in order that they may be saved.

Behold, I am ready the third time to come to you, and I will not burden you: for I seek not yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children.

nor did we seek glory from men, neither from you nor from others; though we could have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ.

For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for, laboring night and day, that we might not be burdensome to any one of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

What, then, is my reward? That, while I preach, I may make the gospel of Christ to be without charge, in order that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

but hospitable, a lover of goodness, sober-minded, just, holy, temperate,

For though I should boast even, somewhat more abundantly of our authority, which the Lord has given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I would not be ashamed:

For this reason, I write these things, while absent, that I may not, when present, use severity, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction.

For though I should boast even, somewhat more abundantly of our authority, which the Lord has given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I would not be ashamed:

For this reason, I write these things, while absent, that I may not, when present, use severity, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification, and not for destruction.

Now as you excel in every thing, in faith, and in speech, and in knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us, see that you excel in this gift also.

But now, since Timothy has come to us from you, and has told us the good news of your faith and love, and that you have a good remembrance of us at all times, greatly desiring to see us, as indeed we desire to see you,

And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached the Christ to them.

And Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached to him Jesus.

For I determined not to know any thing among you but Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

But, by the grace of God, I am what I am; and his grace, which was bestowed on me, has not been bestowed in vain: but I have labored more abundantly than they all; not I, how ever, but the grace of God which was with me.

So, neither he that plants nor he that waters is any thing: but God that makes to grow.

as some of you also acknowledge us, that we are the cause of your rejoicing, even as you, also, are of ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

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

We are pressed on all sides, yet not restrained; perplexed, but not in despair;

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

Be imitators of me, brethren, and observe those who thus walk as you have us for an example.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

for the complete instruction of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of the Christ,

Do you think again that we offer you a defense of ourselves? We speak all these things before God in Christ, beloved, for your edification.

For, do I now seek the favor of men, or of God? or do I strive to please men? If, indeed, I would still please men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

but as God had judged us worthy to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tries our hearts.

and the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but gentle toward all men, able to teach, patient under evils,

But we were gentle among you. As a nurse nourishes her children,

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive: for they watch for your souls, as those who must give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for that would be fatal to you.

that you submit yourselves to such, and to every one that works and labors with us.

and my trial, which was in my flesh, you did not despise or loathe; but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

Let each one so think of us as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

and that I have kept back nothing that was profitable, but have preached to you, and taught you both publicly, and from house to house,

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

but in all things we commend ourselves as the ministers of God, in much suffering, in afflictions, in distresses, in straits,

and the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but gentle toward all men, able to teach, patient under evils,

not that we are able, of ourselves, to devise any thing, as from ourselves; but our ability is from God, who has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of letter, but. of spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit makes alive.

But if that wicked servant shall say in his heart, My master delays his coming; and shall begin to strike his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken; the master of that servant will come in a day in which he looks not for him, and at an hour which he knows not, read more.
and will cut him in two, and appoint him his part with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

By recommending these things to the attention of the brethren, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, being nourished with the words of the faith, and of good teaching, which you have fully known.

those preach Christ from a contentious disposition, not sincerely, thinking that they will add affliction to my bonds.

But I esteem this a matter of no importance, nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry that I have received from the Lord Jesus, to bear full testimony to the gospel of the grace of God.

according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be ashamed, but with all boldness, as at all times, so even now, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

always in every supplication of mine for you all, making my supplication with joy

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped: these subvert whole houses by teaching, for the sake of base gain, things which they ought not to teach.

He that believes and is immersed, shall be saved; he that believes not, shall be condemned.

For Christ sent me not to immerse, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of speech, lest the cross of the Christ should be deprived of its power.

Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.

Meditate upon these things; give yourself wholly to them, that your advancement may be manifest in all things.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith:

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, in accordance with the preceding prophecies concerning you, that by them you may war the good warfare,

one that rules his own house well; having his children in subjection with all gravity:

Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

A bishop, then, must be blame less, the husband of one wife, watchful, soberminded, modest, hospitable, able to teach,

and the servant of the Lord must not be contentious, but gentle toward all men, able to teach, patient under evils,

Now I beseech you also, true yoke-fellow, to assist those women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and my other fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.

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

Let them alone; they are blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the pit.

holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

He that hears you, hears me; and he that rejects you, rejects me; and he that rejects me, rejects him that sent me.

Let no one despise your youth; but be an example to the believers, in word, in behavior, in love, in spirit, in faithfulness, in purity.

therefore, all things that they command you to observe, observe and do. But do not according to their works: for they command, and do not.

For this reason, we also, from the day in which we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to request that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

but hospitable, a lover of goodness, sober-minded, just, holy, temperate,

Every one that serves as a soldier keeps himself free from the business of this life, that he may please him that has chosen him to be a soldier.

Jesus said: Let the dead bury their own dead; but do you go and publish abroad the kingdom of God.

For the bishop must be blame less, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not fond of wine, not quarrelsome, not one who makes money by base means;

not fond of wine, not quarrelsome, not one who makes money by base means; but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;

For the bishop must be blame less, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not fond of wine, not quarrelsome, not one who makes money by base means;

A bishop, then, must be blame less, the husband of one wife, watchful, soberminded, modest, hospitable, able to teach,

A bishop, then, must be blame less, the husband of one wife, watchful, soberminded, modest, hospitable, able to teach,

but hospitable, a lover of goodness, sober-minded, just, holy, temperate,

For the bishop must be blame less, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not fond of wine, not quarrelsome, not one who makes money by base means;

not fond of wine, not quarrelsome, not one who makes money by base means; but gentle, not contentious, not covetous;

And no one takes this honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron also was called.

and, with delusive words, they will, through covetousness, make gain of you: the condemnation, long ago denounced against these, delays not, and their destruction does not slumber.

but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

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

Act as shepherds to the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; not for the sake of sordid gain, but from readiness of mind:

strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, that through many afflictions we mast enter the kingdom of God.

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith fail not. And when you have turned to me again, strengthen your brethren.

This testimony is true; wherefore rebuke them severely, that they may be sound in the faith,

Speak these things, and exhort and rebuke with all strictness. Let no one despise you.

But God is true; for our preaching to you was not yes and no: for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me and Sylvanus and Timothy, was not yes and no, but in him was yes.

holding fast the sure word as it is taught, that he may be able, by sound teaching, both to exhort and to convince the opposers.

Speak these things, and exhort and rebuke with all strictness. Let no one despise you.

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

Then they that were dispersed went everywhere preaching the word.

And while they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said: Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to the work to which I have called them.

Therefore, having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and thence sailed to Cyprus.

Some, indeed, preach the Christ, because of envy and a contentious disposition, and some because of good-will. These do it from love, because they know that I am set for the defense of the gospel; those preach Christ from a contentious disposition, not sincerely, thinking that they will add affliction to my bonds.

so, having a strong affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives also, because you had become dear to us.

who con soles us in all our afflictions, so that we are able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings for the Christ abound in us, so also through Christ abounds our consolation. And if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which salvation is effected by your patient endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer; (and our hope in you is steadfast;) or if we are consoled, it is for your comfort and salvation;

even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own good, but that of the many, in order that they may be saved.

but as God had judged us worthy to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tries our hearts.

Since then we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech,

Therefore, we act as ambassadors for Christ, as though God entreated through us; we beseech in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God:

but I put my body under severe discipline, and bring it into subjection, lest, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

For though I preach the gospel, I have no cause for boasting; for a necessity is laid upon me; yes, alas for me, if I preach not the gospel.

who delivered us from so great a death, and does still deliver us: in whom we have confidence, that he will continue to deliver us,

but we have renounced the secret works of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God; but, by the manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

but in all things we commend ourselves as the ministers of God, in much suffering, in afflictions, in distresses, in straits,

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants, for Jesus sake.

Great is my plainness of speech to you, great is my boasting of you; I am filled with comfort, I am exceedingly joyful in all our affliction.

but we have renounced the secret works of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God; but, by the manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants, for Jesus sake.

Let each one so think of us as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Let each one so think of us as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be God's and not our own.

And the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into the mountain, where Jesus had appointed to meet them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying: All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. read more.
Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations, immersing them (the disciples) into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;

Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and companion in labor and fellow-soldier, but your apostle, who also ministered to my want,

But you know his approved character, that as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; both in my bonds and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, I say I have you all in my heart as being joint par takers of my grace.

Then he said to his disciples: The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

Take heed to yourself, and to your teaching; continue in them; for by doing this, you will save both yourself, and those who hear you.

I charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, and that you do nothing by partiality.

Do you, there fore, suffer evil, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive: for they watch for your souls, as those who must give an account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for that would be fatal to you.