15 Bible Verses about Ministers

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is situated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do they light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

and the Gentiles, to whom I now send thee, To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God; that they may receive through faith which is in me, forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified.

For they themselves declare concerning us, what manner of entrance to you we had, and how ye turned from idols to God,

O Timotheus, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding prophane, empty babblings, and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called: Which some professing have erred from the faith.

that afford questions, and not godly edifying, which is through faith.

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

And the things which thou hast heard from me before many witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Ye are the light of the world.

He was a burning and a shining light, and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake, and be at peace among yourselves.

Therefore having this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not: But have renounced the hidden things of shame,

Of which I have been made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effectual working of his power.

If ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and are not removed from the hope of the gospel which ye have heard, which is preached to every creature that is under heaven, whereof I Paul am made a minister.

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

For to this end was the gospel preached to them that are dead also, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things that relate to the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom of speech, no man forbidding him.

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

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

And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having an everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,

And lest I should be lifted up with the abundance of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be lifted up.

Even to this present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain abode, And labour, working with our own hands:

in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak foolishly) I more: in labours more abundantly, in stripes more exceedingly, in prisons more abundantly, in deaths often.

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

And though I wrote to you, it was not for his sake who had done the wrong, nor for his sake who had suffered it, but for the sake of manifesting to you in the sight of God our diligent care over you.

Beside the things which are from without, that which rusheth upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

For I fear lest when I come, I should not find you such as I would, and lest I should be found by you such as ye would not: lest there should be contentions, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults, Lest my God should humble me when I come to you again,

Brethren, I beseech you, be ye as I am; for I also am as ye were: ye have not injured me at all.

and the Saducees came upon them, Being grieved that they had healed the lame man, and preached thro' Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And Philip coming down to a city of Samaria, preached Christ to them.

Then Philip opening his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

And he was certain days with the disciples in Damascus: And straightway he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

This is the word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching the glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ; He is Lord of all.

and the Saducees came upon them, Being grieved that they had healed the lame man, and preached thro' Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And Philip coming down to a city of Samaria, preached Christ to them.

Then Philip opening his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

And he was certain days with the disciples in Damascus: And straightway he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

This is the word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching the glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ; He is Lord of all.

Whom they set before the apostles, and having prayed, they laid their hands upon them.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither partake of other mens sins; keep thyself pure.

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, to stir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the laying on of my hands.

For God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not vain in the Lord.

But whoso looketh diligently into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and continueth therein, this man being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be happy in his doing.

because ye belong to Christ, verily I say to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

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

What I tell you in darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim on the house-tops.

And as ye go, proclaim, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

be instant in season, out of season; convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.

But he said, Lord, Suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

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

What I tell you in darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim on the house-tops.

And as ye go, proclaim, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

be instant in season, out of season; convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.

But he said, Lord, Suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

for the workman is worthy of his maintenance.

So also hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live of the gospel.

Let him that is taught in the word impart to him that teacheth in all good things.

Nevertheless ye have done well, that ye did communicate to me in my affliction.

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

for the workman is worthy of his maintenance.

So also hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live of the gospel.

Let him that is taught in the word impart to him that teacheth in all good things.

Nevertheless ye have done well, that ye did communicate to me in my affliction.

having been the wife of one husband, Well reported of for good works, if she hath brought up children, if she hath lodged strangers, if she hath washed the feet of the saints, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.

A bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, prudent, of good behaviour, hospitable, apt to teach;

Communicate to the necessities of the saints, pursue hospitality, Bless them who persecute you;

But a lover of strangers, a lover of good men, prudent, just, holy, temperate, Holding fast the faithful word,

Forget not to entertain strangers, for hereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to the whole flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

He saith to him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my sheep. He saith to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep.

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to the whole flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

He saith to him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my sheep. He saith to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep.

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

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness: God is witness:

not walking in craftiness, nor deceitfully corrupting the word of God, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

For our exhortation is not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

A bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, prudent, of good behaviour, hospitable, apt to teach;

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them a service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

These things command and teach.

apt to teach, patient of evil, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if haply God may give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth;

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

A bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, prudent, of good behaviour, hospitable, apt to teach;

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them a service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

These things command and teach.

apt to teach, patient of evil, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if haply God may give them repentance, to the acknowledging of the truth;

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch over your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with groans: for that is unprofitable for you.

To these an odour of death unto death, but to those an odour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

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

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

If any one's work which he hath built thereon shall remain, he shall receive a reward.

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

If indeed I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, yet a dispensation is intrusted to me. What then is my reward? that when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and honour such.

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

Remember them that had the rule over you, who spake to you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake, and be at peace among yourselves.

Brethren, be ye followers together of me, and mark them who walk so as ye have us for an example.

Not because we have not power; but that we might make ourselves an example to you, that ye might imitate us.

Let no one despise thy youth; but be a pattern to them that believe, in word, in behaviour, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Neither as lording over the heritage, but being examples to the flock.

You likewise helping together with us by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Pray for us; for we trust we have a good conscience, desiring to behave ourselves well in all things.

And for me that utterance may be given me, by the opening my mouth to make known boldly the mystery of the gospel,

Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me,

So, loving you tenderly, we were ready to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but our own souls also, because ye were dear to us.

As it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, who were all partakers of my grace, both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel.

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted every one of you,

I know not that I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel; but not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

And my speech and my preaching was not with the persuasive words of human wisdom, but with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

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

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch over your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with groans: for that is unprofitable for you.

I thank my God upon every mention of you,

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Christ Jesus:

For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice for your sake before our God?

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and honour such.

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

and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake, and be at peace among yourselves.

Let him that is taught in the word impart to him that teacheth in all good things.

Who ever warreth at his own charge? Who planteth a vineyard, and doth not eat of its fruit? Or who feedeth a flock, and doth not eat of the milk of the flock? Do I speak these things as a man? Doth not the law also speak the same? For it is written, in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn? Doth God take care for oxen? read more.
Or speaketh he chiefly for our sakes? surely for our sakes it was written: for he who ploweth, ought to plow in hope; and he that thresheth in hope, ought to be a partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter, if we shall reap your carnal things?

Feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy gain, but of a ready mind,

Likewise the deacons must be serious, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not desirous of filthy gain: Holding fast the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

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

Not given to wine, no striker, not desirous of filthy gain, but gentle, patient, not loving money;

Take heed therefore to yourselves and to the whole flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, overseeing it not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy gain, but of a ready mind,

When they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these do? He saith to him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again, the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my sheep. He saith to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not ye also before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

But now when Timotheus was come to us from you, and had brought us the good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you, in, all our affliction and distress by your faith. For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. read more.
For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice for your sake before our God?

What I tell you in darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim on the house-tops. And be not afraid of them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather be afraid of him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed, But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,

Give no offence either to the Jews, or to the Gentiles, or to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but that of many that they may be saved.

Forgive me this wrong. Behold the third time I am ready to come to you: yet I will not be burdensom to 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 sought we glory of men, neither from you, nor from others, when we might have been burdensome, as the Apostles of Christ.

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

What then is my reward? that when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

But a lover of strangers, a lover of good men, prudent, just, holy, temperate, Holding fast the faithful word,

Yea, if I should boast something more also of the authority which the Lord hath given us, for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me, for edification, and not for destruction.

Yea, if I should boast something more also of the authority which the Lord hath given us, for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me, for edification, and not for destruction.

Therefore as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

But now when Timotheus was come to us from you, and had brought us the good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, as we also to see you:

And Philip coming down to a city of Samaria, preached Christ to them.

Then Philip opening his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

For I determined not to know any thing among you save 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, but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, as ye also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

And I wrote thus to you, that I might not when I come have grief from those for whom I ought to rejoice; being persuaded concerning you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

We are troubled on every side, yet not crushed;

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

Brethren, be ye followers together of me, and mark them who walk so as ye have us for an example.

Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, to the edifying the body of Christ;

Think ye that we again excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all things, beloved, for your edification.

For do I now satisfy men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

But as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who trieth our hearts.

And a servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle toward all men,

But we were gentle in the midst of you, even as a nurse cherisheth her own children.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch over your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with groans: for that is unprofitable for you.

That ye also submit to such, and to every one that worketh with us and laboureth.

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of?

Let a man so account us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

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

And that I have with-held nothing which was profitable, but have preached to you, and taught you, publickly and from house to house:

said, Go, stand and speak in the temple the words of this life.

in much patience, in afflictions,

And a servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle toward all men,

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think any thing as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.

But if that evil servant say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming: And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken: The Lord of that servant shall come in a day that he expecteth him not, and in an hour that he is not aware of, read more.
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping, and gnashing of teeth.

If thou remind the brethren of these things, thou wilt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourishing them with the words of faith, and of the good doctrine whereto thou hast attained.

But the others out of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life precious to myself, so I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall be ashamed in nothing, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also, Christ shall 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 cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all with joy,

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

He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned.

I know not that I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel; but not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

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

Meditate on these things; be wholly in them, that thy profiting may appear in all things.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

This charge I commit to thee, son Timotheus, according to the prophecies which went before concerning thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare:

Ruling his own house well, having his children in subjection with all seriousness.

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

A bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, prudent, of good behaviour, hospitable, apt to teach;

And a servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle toward all men,

And I intreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help those women who laboured together with me in the gospel, with both Clement and my other fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life.

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

Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind: but if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a ditch.

And let these be proved first,

He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that rejecteth you, rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me, rejecteth him that sent me.

Let no one despise thy youth; but be a pattern to them that believe, in word, in behaviour, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

but do not ye after their works; for they say and do not.

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

But a lover of strangers, a lover of good men, prudent, just, holy, temperate, Holding fast the faithful word,

No man that warreth intangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath inlisted him.

But he said, Lord, Suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury their dead, but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not given to wine, no striker, not desirous of filthy gain:

Not given to wine, no striker, not desirous of filthy gain, but gentle, patient, not loving money;

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not given to wine, no striker, not desirous of filthy gain:

A bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, prudent, of good behaviour, hospitable, apt to teach;

A bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, prudent, of good behaviour, hospitable, apt to teach;

But a lover of strangers, a lover of good men, prudent, just, holy, temperate, Holding fast the faithful word,

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not passionate, not given to wine, no striker, not desirous of filthy gain:

Not given to wine, no striker, not desirous of filthy gain, but gentle, patient, not loving money;

And no one taketh this honour to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

And through covetousness will they with feigned speeches make merchandize of you, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not.