15 Bible Verses about Ministers

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

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

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,

nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than the divine trainingwhich is by faith.

Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

And the things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

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

and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace which was given me by the working of his power.

if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a minister.

who has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

For this reason the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they might live in the spirit according to the will of God.

preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered.

Then they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that accompanied it. Amen.

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

Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people;

And to keep me from being too elated because of the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated.

To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and we are poorly clothed, and roughly treated, and homeless;

in beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, sleeplessness, hunger,

Are they servants of Christ? I am a better oneI am talking like a madmanin far more labors, in far more imprisonments, with more beatings, and often in danger of death.

Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night and day to admonish each one with tears.

So although I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong, nor on account of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your zeal for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

Besides such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you what I wish you to be, and you may not find me what you wish me to be; I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.

I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.

being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Philip went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them.

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus.

And immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."

You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all).

being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Philip went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them.

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus.

And immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."

You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all).

These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you through prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

For God is not so unjust as to forget your work and the love which you have shown for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

But one who looks intently into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer that acts, this man will be blessed in what he does.

For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, will by no means lose his reward.

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops.

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

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops.

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

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."

nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the worker is worthy of his food.

In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living from the gospel.

Let the one who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."

nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the worker is worthy of his food.

In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living from the gospel.

Let the one who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

and she must be well known for her good deeds, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved those in distress, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.

but hospitable, a lover of what is good, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled;

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with the blood of his Own.

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, 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, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with the blood of his Own.

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, 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, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.

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.

For, as you know, we never used flattery nor a pretext for greed God is witness

But we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity, nor is it made with deceit;

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but they must serve them all the better, because those who benefit by their service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these duties.

Command and teach these things.

with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God will grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but they must serve them all the better, because those who benefit by their service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these duties.

Command and teach these things.

with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God will grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this with joy, and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

If any man's work which he has built on it survives, he will receive a reward.

Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if it is not of my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my right in the gospel.

So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor men like him,

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.

and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who live according to the pattern you have in us.

We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves an example for you to follow.

Let no one look down on your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

not as lording it over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

You also must help us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.

and also pray for me, that in the opening of my mouth, utterance may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

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

Having so fond an affection for you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.

for you know how, as a father with his own children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospelnot with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

When I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this with joy, and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

I thank my God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,

For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you in return for all the joy which we feel for your sake before our God,

So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor men like him,

The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Let the one who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Does not the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? read more.
Or is he speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?

shepherd the flock of God that is under your care, serving as overseersnot under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, and not fond of sordid gain;

I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes.

not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with the blood of his Own.

shepherd the flock of God that is under your care, serving as overseersnot under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, 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, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.

For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming?

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, just as we long to see you for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. read more.
For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you in return for all the joy which we feel for your sake before our God,

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.

Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden to you, for I seek not what is yours but you; for children ought not to lay up for their parents, but parents for their children.

nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

For you remember our labor and toil, brethren; we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we preached to you the gospel of God.

What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my right in the gospel.

but hospitable, a lover of what is good, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled;

For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I shall not be put to shame.

I write these things while I am absent, in order that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority which the Lord gave me for building you up, and not for tearing you down.

For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I shall not be put to shame.

I write these things while I am absent, in order that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority which the Lord gave me for building you up, and not for tearing you down.

But as you excel in everythingin faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for ussee that you excel in this work of grace also.

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, just as we long to see you

Philip went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them.

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus.

For I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of themyet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

as you have understood us in part, that you can be proud of us just as we can be of you, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I had confidence in all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who live according to the pattern you have in us.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

to equip the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ;

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves before you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.

Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

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.

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged,

But we were gentle among you, like a mother nursing her little children.

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this with joy, and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

to be subject to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.

and though my fleshly condition was a trial to you, you did not despise or scorn me, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,

"Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life."

But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, distresses,

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged,

Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves; but our competence is from God, who has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of, read more.
and he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

If you point out these things to the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed.

the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

But I do not consider my life of any account nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed in anything, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be exalted 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 before the Father,

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

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.

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospelnot with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that all may see your progress.

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

I give you this command, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies once made about you, that by them you may fight the good fight,

He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

Deacons must be the husband of one wife, and must manage their children and their households well.

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, patient when wronged,

Yes, and I ask you also, true yoke-fellow, to help these women who have struggled at my side in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

"He who hears you hears me, he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."

Let no one look down on your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

So you must observe and do whatever they tell you. But do not do what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.

For this reason also, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

but hospitable, a lover of what is good, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled;

No soldier in active service gets entangled in civilian affairs, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

For the overseer must be blameless as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not fond of sordid gain,

not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

For the overseer must be blameless as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not fond of sordid gain,

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

but hospitable, a lover of what is good, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled;

For the overseer must be blameless as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not fond of sordid gain,

not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

And no one takes the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.

And in their greed they will exploit you with false words; from long ago their condemnation has not been idle, and their destruction has not been asleep.