15 Bible Verses about Ministers

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

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

For people everywhere report how you welcomed us and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and absurdities of so-called "knowledge."

nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God's redemptive plan that operates by faith.

Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful.

And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.

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

He was a lamp that was burning and shining, and you wanted to rejoice greatly for a short time in his light.

and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged.

I became a servant of this gospel according to the gift of God's grace that was given to me by the exercise of his power.

if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.

who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

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

Now it was for this very purpose that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh by human standards they may live spiritually by God's standards.

proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete boldness and without restriction.

They went out and proclaimed everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through the accompanying signs.]]

In those days John the Baptist came into the wilderness of Judea proclaiming,

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth -- to every nation, tribe, language, and people.

even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me -- so that I would not become arrogant.

So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. In the morning I acted just as I was commanded.

To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads.

in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger,

Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like I am out of my mind!) I am even more so: with much greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with more severe beatings, facing death many times.

Therefore be alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.

So then, even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong, or on account of the one who was wronged, but to reveal to you your eagerness on our behalf before God.

Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern for all the churches.

For I am afraid that somehow when I come I will not find you what I wish, and you will find me not what you wish. I am afraid that somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

I fear for you that my work for you may have been in vain.

Her leaders take bribes when they decide legal cases, her priests proclaim rulings for profit, and her prophets read omens for pay. Yet they claim to trust the Lord and say, "The Lord is among us. Disaster will not overtake us!"

"That is because, from the least important to the most important of them, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. Prophets and priests alike, all of them practice deceit.

All their watchmen are blind, they are unaware. All of them are like mute dogs, unable to bark. They pant, lie down, and love to snooze.

Moreover, the Lord says, "Both the prophets and priests are godless. I have even found them doing evil in my temple!

(Nun) Your prophets saw visions for you that were worthless lies. They failed to expose your sin so as to restore your fortunes. They saw oracles for you that were worthless lies.

angry because they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

Philip went down to the main city of Samaria and began proclaiming the Christ to them.

So Philip started speaking, and beginning with this scripture proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him.

and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "This man is the Son of God."

You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all) --

angry because they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

Philip went down to the main city of Samaria and began proclaiming the Christ to them.

So Philip started speaking, and beginning with this scripture proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him.

and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "This man is the Son of God."

You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all) --

They stood these men before the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on them.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.

Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Because of this I remind you to rekindle God's gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands.

Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had placed his hands on him; and the Israelites listened to him and did just what the Lord had commanded Moses.

But the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever.

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints.

So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out -- he will be blessed in what he does.

For I tell you the truth, whoever gives you a cup of water because you bear Christ's name will never lose his reward.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.

As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near!'

Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.

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

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.

As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near!'

Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.

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

For the scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and, "The worker deserves his pay."

no bag for the journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals or staff, for the worker deserves his provisions.

In the same way the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel to receive their living by the gospel.

Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it.

Nevertheless, you did well to share with me in my trouble.

For the scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and, "The worker deserves his pay."

no bag for the journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals or staff, for the worker deserves his provisions.

In the same way the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel to receive their living by the gospel.

Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it.

Nevertheless, you did well to share with me in my trouble.

and has a reputation for good works: as one who has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress -- as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works.

The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.

Instead he must be hospitable, devoted to what is good, sensible, upright, devout, and self-controlled.

Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Watch out for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.

Jesus said a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" and said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus replied, "Feed my sheep.

I will give you leaders who will be faithful to me. They will lead you with knowledge and insight.

I will set one shepherd over them, and he will feed them -- namely, my servant David. He will feed them and will be their shepherd.

I will install rulers over them who will care for them. Then they will no longer need to fear or be terrified. None of them will turn up missing. I, the Lord, promise it!

Watch out for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.

Jesus said a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" and said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus replied, "Feed my sheep.

I will give you leaders who will be faithful to me. They will lead you with knowledge and insight.

I will set one shepherd over them, and he will feed them -- namely, my servant David. He will feed them and will be their shepherd.

I will install rulers over them who will care for them. Then they will no longer need to fear or be terrified. None of them will turn up missing. I, the Lord, promise it!

For we are not like so many others, hucksters who peddle the word of God for profit, but we are speaking in Christ before God as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God.

For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed -- God is our witness --

But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience before God.

For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit,

teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

But those who have believing masters must not show them less respectTeach them and exhort them about these things.

Command and teach these things.

correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth

teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

But those who have believing masters must not show them less respectTeach them and exhort them about these things.

Command and teach these things.

correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.

But suppose the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people. Then the sword comes and takes one of their lives. He is swept away for his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for that person's death.'

He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you see in front of you -- eat this scroll -- and then go and speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth and he fed me the scroll. He said to me, "Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your belly with this scroll I am giving to you." So I ate it, and it was sweet like honey in my mouth. read more.
He said to me, "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. For you are not being sent to a people of unintelligible speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel -- not to many peoples of unintelligible speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand -- surely if I had sent you to them, they would listen to you! But the house of Israel is unwilling to listen to you, because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hard-headed and hard-hearted. "I have made your face adamant to match their faces, and your forehead hard to match their foreheads. I have made your forehead harder than flint -- like diamond! Do not fear them or be terrified of the looks they give you, for they are a rebellious house." And he said to me, "Son of man, take all my words that I speak to you to heart and listen carefully. Go to the exiles, to your fellow countrymen, and speak to them -- say to them, 'This is what the sovereign Lord says,' whether they pay attention or not." Then a wind lifted me up and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me as the glory of the Lord rose from its place, and the sound of the living beings' wings brushing against each other, and the sound of the wheels alongside them, a great rumbling sound. A wind lifted me up and carried me away. I went bitterly, my spirit full of fury, and the hand of the Lord rested powerfully on me. I came to the exiles at Tel Abib, who lived by the Kebar River. I sat dumbfounded among them there, where they were living, for seven days. At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you must give them a warning from me.

to the latter an odor from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.

Then when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.

If what someone has built survives, he will receive a reward.

I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions.

For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward. But if I do it unwillingly, I am entrusted with a responsibility. What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights in the gospel.

So welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,

Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching.

Remember your leaders, who spoke God's message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith.

and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.

And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock.

as you also join in helping us by prayer, so that many people may give thanks to God on our behalf for the gracious gift given to us through the help of many.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect.

Pray for me also, that I may be given the message when I begin to speak -- that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel,

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join fervently with me in prayer to God on my behalf.

with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God's grace together with me.

As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel -- and not with clever speech, so that the cross of Christ would not become useless.

My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come with superior eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed the testimony of God.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.

I post watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they should keep praying all day and all night. You who pray to the Lord, don't be silent!

"Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you must give them a warning from me.

The Lord said, "I appointed prophets as watchmen to warn you, saying: 'Pay attention to the warning sound of the trumpet!'" But they said, "We will not pay attention!"

I thank my God every time I remember you.

I always thank my God for you because of the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus.

For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God?

So welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,

Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching.

and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it.

He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to contribute the portion prescribed for the priests and Levites so they might be obedient to the law of the Lord.

Who ever serves in the army at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not consume its milk? Am I saying these things only on the basis of common sense, or does the law not say this as well? For it is written in the law of Moses, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." God is not concerned here about oxen, is he? read more.
Or is he not surely speaking for our benefit? It was written for us, because the one plowing and threshing ought to work in hope of enjoying the harvest. If we sowed spiritual blessings among you, is it too much to reap material things from you?

Give a shepherd's care to God's flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God's direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly.

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain,

I have desired no one's silver or gold or clothing.

not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.

Watch out for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.

I will give you leaders who will be faithful to me. They will lead you with knowledge and insight.

Give a shepherd's care to God's flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God's direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly.

Then when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these do?" He replied, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you." Jesus told him, "Feed my lambs." Jesus said a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He replied, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you." Jesus told him, "Shepherd my sheep." Jesus said a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" and said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus replied, "Feed my sheep.

For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?

But now Timothy has come to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection and long to see us just as we also long to see you! So in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, through your faith. For now we are alive again, if you stand firm in the Lord. read more.
For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God?

"Shout loudly! Don't be quiet! Yell as loud as a trumpet! Confront my people with their rebellious deeds; confront Jacob's family with their sin!

But you, son of man, do not fear them, and do not fear their words -- even though briers and thorns surround you and you live among scorpions -- do not fear their words and do not be terrified of the looks they give you, for they are a rebellious house!

What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.

Do not give offense to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also try to please everyone in all things. I do not seek my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.

Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others,

For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights in the gospel.

"'They must be holy to their God, and they must not profane the name of their God, because they are the ones who present the Lord's gifts, the food of their God. Therefore they must be holy.

"You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it the way a seal is engraved: "Holiness to the Lord."

Instead he must be hospitable, devoted to what is good, sensible, upright, devout, and self-controlled.

For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority -- the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so.

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority -- the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

But as you excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you -- make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too.

But now Timothy has come to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection and long to see us just as we also long to see you!

Philip went down to the main city of Samaria and began proclaiming the Christ to them.

So Philip started speaking, and beginning with this scripture proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him.

For I decided to be concerned about nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them -- yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

So neither the one who plants counts for anything, nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth.

just as also you have partly understood us, that we are your source of pride just as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came I would not have sadness from those who ought to make me rejoice, since I am confident in you all that my joy would be yours.

We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair;

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

Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ,

Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.

Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.

also to submit to people like this, and to everyone who cooperates in the work and labors hard.

and though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God, as though I were Christ Jesus himself!

One should think about us this way -- as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

For I did not hold back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God.

You know that I did not hold back from proclaiming to you anything that would be helpful, and from teaching you publicly and from house to house,

"Go and stand in the temple courts and proclaim to the people all the words of this life."

But as God's servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,

And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

I said, "Too bad for me! I am destroyed, for my lips are contaminated by sin, and I live among people whose lips are contaminated by sin. My eyes have seen the king, the Lord who commands armies." But then one of the seraphs flew toward me. In his hand was a hot coal he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, "Look, this coal has touched your lips. Your evil is removed; your sin is forgiven."

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

But if that evil slave should say to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with drunkards, then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee, read more.
and will cut him in two, and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

But suppose the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people. Then the sword comes and takes one of their lives. He is swept away for his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for that person's death.' "As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them on my behalf. When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you must certainly die,' and you do not warn the wicked about his behavior, the wicked man will die for his iniquity, but I will hold you accountable for his death.

By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.

But I do not consider my life worth anything to myself, so that I may finish my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God's grace.

My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

For this reason I kneel before the Father,

I always pray with joy in my every prayer for all of you

All their watchmen are blind, they are unaware. All of them are like mute dogs, unable to bark. They pant, lie down, and love to snooze. The dogs have big appetites; they are never full. They are shepherds who have no understanding; they all go their own way, each one looking for monetary gain. Each one says, 'Come on, I'll get some wine! Let's guzzle some beer! Tomorrow will be just like today! We'll have everything we want!'

For there are many rebellious people, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those with Jewish connections, who must be silenced because they mislead whole families by teaching for dishonest gain what ought not to be taught.

The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel -- and not with clever speech, so that the cross of Christ would not become useless.

Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.

I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!

I put this charge before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, in order that with such encouragement you may fight the good fight.

He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.

Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households.

The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

And the Lord's slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient,

Yes, I say also to you, true companion, help them. They have struggled together in the gospel ministry along with me and Clement and my other coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.

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

Leave them! They are blind guides. If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit."

They offer only superficial help for the harm my people have suffered. They say, 'Everything will be all right!' But everything is not all right!

Leave! Leave! Get out of there! Don't touch anything unclean! Get out of it! Stay pure, you who carry the Lord's holy items!

holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

"The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.

For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge of sacred things, and people should seek instruction from him because he is the messenger of the Lord who rules over all.

Therefore pay attention to what they tell you and do it. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they teach.

Let the priests, those who serve the Lord, weep from the vestibule all the way back to the altar. Let them say, "Have pity, O Lord, on your people; please do not turn over your inheritance to be mocked, to become a proverb among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, "Where is their God?"

For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

"Do not drink wine or strong drink, you and your sons with you, when you enter into the Meeting Tent, so that you do not die, which is a perpetual statute throughout your generations,

Instead he must be hospitable, devoted to what is good, sensible, upright, devout, and self-controlled.

No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.

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

For the overseer must be blameless as one entrusted with God's work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.

not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.

For the overseer must be blameless as one entrusted with God's work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.

The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,

Instead he must be hospitable, devoted to what is good, sensible, upright, devout, and self-controlled.

For the overseer must be blameless as one entrusted with God's work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.

not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.

"And you, bring near to you your brother Aaron and his sons with him from among the Israelites, so that they may minister as my priests -- Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was.

And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation pronounced long ago is not sitting idly by; their destruction is not asleep.

Her leaders take bribes when they decide legal cases, her priests proclaim rulings for profit, and her prophets read omens for pay. Yet they claim to trust the Lord and say, "The Lord is among us. Disaster will not overtake us!"

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.

Give a shepherd's care to God's flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God's direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly.

I heard the voice of the sovereign master say, "Whom will I send? Who will go on our behalf?" I answered, "Here I am, send me!"

They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, "We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions."

but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

Such testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply that they may be healthy in the faith

So communicate these things with the sort of exhortation or rebuke that carries full authority. Don't let anyone look down on you.

But as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the one who was proclaimed among you by us -- by me and Silvanus and Timothy -- was not "Yes" and "No," but it has always been "Yes" in him.

He must hold firmly to the faithful message as it has been taught, so that he will be able to give exhortation in such healthy teaching and correct those who speak against it.

So communicate these things with the sort of exhortation or rebuke that carries full authority. Don't let anyone look down on you.

They went out and proclaimed everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through the accompanying signs.]]

Now those who had been forced to scatter went around proclaiming the good news of the word.

While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

So Barnabas and Saul, sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. The latter do so from love because they know that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.

with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort that you experience in your patient endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer.

just as I also try to please everyone in all things. I do not seek my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we behave with great boldness,

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God!"

Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified.

For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I am compelled to do this. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again,

But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience before God.

But as God's servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses,

For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.

I have great confidence in you; I take great pride on your behalf. I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in the midst of all our suffering.

But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience before God.

For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.

One should think about us this way -- as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

One should think about us this way -- as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.

So the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain Jesus had designated. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came up and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. read more.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

But for now I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to me in my need.

But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel.

"Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you must give them a warning from me. When I say to the wicked, "You will certainly die," and you do not warn him -- you do not speak out to warn the wicked to turn from his wicked deed and wicked lifestyle so that he may live -- that wicked person will die for his iniquity, but I will hold you accountable for his death.

For it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God's grace together with me.

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest."

Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.

Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen; he was near the twelfth pair. Elijah passed by him and threw his robe over him.

Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.