15 Bible Verses about Ministers

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been 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, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”—

nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.

In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these 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 the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while 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 received mercy, we do not lose heart,

of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.

if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.][And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.]

Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,

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

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. And in the morning I did as I was commanded.

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

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

Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

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

So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.

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

For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;

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

Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe,
Her priests instruct for a price
And her prophets divine for money.
Yet they lean on the Lord saying,
“Is not the Lord in our midst?
Calamity will not come upon us.”

“For from the least of them even to the greatest of them,
Everyone is greedy for gain,
And from the prophet even to the priest
Everyone deals falsely.

His watchmen are blind,
All of them know nothing.
All of them are mute dogs unable to bark,
Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber;

“For both prophet and priest are polluted;
Even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the Lord.

Your prophets have seen for you
False and foolish visions;
And they have not exposed your iniquity
So as to restore you from captivity,
But they have seen for you false and misleading oracles.

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

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

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

and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching 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 the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.

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

and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)—

And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.

Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

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

Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.

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

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

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not 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 darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

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

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

But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere 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 darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

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

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

But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.

So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.

So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some 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 His own blood.

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, “Tend My sheep.

“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.

“Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd.

I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.

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 His own blood.

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, “Tend My sheep.

“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.

“Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd.

I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.

For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—

but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;

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

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.

Prescribe and teach these things.

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

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

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.

Prescribe and teach these things.

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

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’

Then He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and He fed me this scroll. He said to me, "Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you " Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth. read more.
Then He said to me, "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. "For you are not being sent to a people of unintelligible speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel, nor to many peoples of unintelligible speech or difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. But I have sent you to them who should listen to you; yet the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, since they are not willing to listen to Me. Surely the whole house of Israel is stubborn and obstinate. "Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. "Like emery harder than flint I have made your forehead. Do not be afraid of them or be dismayed before them, though they are a rebellious house." Moreover, He said to me, "Son of man, take into your heart all My words which I will speak to you and listen closely. "Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them and tell them, whether they listen or not, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.'" Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me, "Blessed be the glory of the LORD in His place." And I heard the sound of the wings of the living beings touching one another and the sound of the wheels beside them, even a great rumbling sound. So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away; and I went embittered in the rage of my spirit, and the hand of the LORD was strong on me. Then I came to the exiles who lived beside the river Chebar at Tel-abib, and I sat there seven days where they were living, causing consternation among them. At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.

to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

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 remains, he will receive a reward.

Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;

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

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, 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 walk according to the pattern you have in us.

not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness 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 well-pleased to impart to 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.

just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

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

And 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 keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen;
All day and all night they will never keep silent.
You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves;

“Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.

“And I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not listen.’

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

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

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

Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;

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.

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

Also he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the law of the Lord.

Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock? I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? For it is written in the Law of Moses, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING " God is not concerned about oxen, is He? 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 sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not 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, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,

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

not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love 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 His own blood.

“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.

shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

So 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, "Tend 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, "Shepherd 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, "Tend 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 good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also 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 thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,

“Cry loudly, do not hold back;
Raise your voice like a trumpet,
And declare to My people their transgression
And to the house of Jacob their sins.

And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house.

"What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited,

Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.

Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.

For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they present the offerings by fire to the Lord, the food of their God; so they shall be holy.

“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and shall engrave on it, like the engravings of a seal, ‘Holy to the Lord.’

but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, 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 will not be put to shame,

For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing 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 will not be put to shame,

For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.

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

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

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

For I determined 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 did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.

we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;

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

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

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

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

All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.

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

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.

and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose 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 in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."

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

"But if that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time,' and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, read more.
and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

'But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman's hand.' "Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand.

In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.

the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, 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 offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,

His watchmen are blind, All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber; And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied And they are shepherds who have no understanding; They have all turned to their own way, Each one to his unjust gain, to the last one. "Come," they say, "let us get wine, and let us drink heavily of strong drink; And tomorrow will be like today, only more so."

For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.

He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

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

Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

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

This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,

He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

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

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle 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 of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

“They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’
But there is no peace.

Depart, depart, go out from there,
Touch nothing unclean;
Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves,
You who carry the vessels of the Lord.

but 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 he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers,
Weep between the porch and the altar,
And let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord,
And do not make Your inheritance a reproach,
A byword among the nations.
Why should they among the peoples say,
‘Where is their God?’”

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

“Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die—it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations—

but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,

not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,

not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

“Then bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the sons of Israel, to minister as priest to Me—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.

And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.

and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe,
Her priests instruct for a price
And her prophets divine for money.
Yet they lean on the Lord saying,
“Is not the Lord in our midst?
Calamity will not come upon us.”

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