14 Bible Verses about Motives, Examples Of

it is true, there are some who preach Christ out of a spirit of envy and contention; but others do it out of pure affection. those preach the gospel of Christ, not in sincerity, but from a principle of contention, with a view to inflame the persecution against me: the others act from affection, as knowing that I suffer for having defended the gospel.read more.
is it not however some advantage? since in either way, whether it be occasionally, or professedly, Christ is preach'd; which is now, and always will be matter of joy to me.

Now the manner of Christ's birth was this: his mother Mary being promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she became pregnant by the holy Spirit. but Joseph her husband, being a good-natur'd man, and unwilling to expose her to publick shame, he designed to put her away privately. but while he was revolving this in his mind, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, the off-spring of David, don't make any difficulty of taking Mary for thy wife: for her pregnancy is from the holy Spirit.

Then Herod having privately sent for the Magi, enquired of them the exact time when the star appeared. and he sent them to Bethlehem, go, said he, make an exact enquiry about the young child, and when ye have found him, let me know it, that I too may come and pay my adorations to him. in obedience to the king, they departed, and immediately the star which they saw in the east, moved on before them, till it came to the place where the infant was, and then stood still.read more.
when they observ'd this of the star, they were extreamly well pleas'd. and entring into the house, they saw the infant with Mary his mother, and prostrating themselves, they worshipped him: then opening their treasures, they presented him with gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. but being divinely warn'd in a dream, not to go back to Herod, they returned into their own country another way. When they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, take the infant and his mother, flee into Egypt, and don't stir thence till I order you, for Herod will endeavour to have the child destroy'd. Joseph therefore arose,

whereupon one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who was to betray him, said, why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, to be given to the poor? this he said, not out of any concern for the poor; but because being purse-bearer he used to pilfer what was in bank.

For there are many, especially among the Jews, who are obstinate, vain talkers and deceivers; who ought to be curb'd, who pervert whole families, teaching things which they ought not, for sordid lucre.

he that sent me, is with me: the father hath not left me alone, for I always do what is agreeable to him.

Jesus said to them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

for I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.

wherefore at his appearing in publick, he saith, "sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure: then said I, lo I come, as in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God."

for our doctrine was free from all imposture, avarice, and fraud. we preach the gospel just as God thought fit to intrust it with us, not being studious to please men, but God, who approves our sincerity. our address to you was without any flattery, as you yourselves can witness, and God is witness that we had no avarice to disguise.read more.
we never courted you nor any others, from an affectation of human applause. instead of making our apostolical character any ways expensive to you, as we might;

for we are not like others, who adulterate the word of God; but we preach the pure gospel of Christ, as I receiv'd it from God, and as in the presence of God.

wherefore I studiously endeavour, whether staying in it, or departing out of it, to be acceptable to him. for we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ; that every one may receive the retribution, according as his actions in the body were either good or evil. Shall I then, who know this terrible judgment of the Lord, endeavour to appease men? as for God, I am approved by him, and I trust also you are convinced of my being so approved.read more.
and this I say, not to commend myself again unto you, but to give you an occasion of glorying on my account, that you may confront those who make a false show of glorying.

however, you acted generously in assisting me in my necessity: and you yourselves know, O Philippians, that when I first preach'd the gospel, at my departure from Macedonia, I receiv'd no manner of assistance from any other church but yours; for you sent more than once to Thessalonica to supply my occasions.read more.
not that I desire a present; but what I desire is, that the fruits of your liberality may greatly redound to your own account. I have now receiv'd the whole, and have more than sufficient: I am loaded with the presents you sent by Epaphroditus, which I have receiv'd as grateful incense, as a sacrifice which God accepts and approves.

whether it be an advantage to me or not still to lead this mortal life, what to chuse I cannot tell. I am doubly press'd between my desire to depart, in order to be with Christ, which is by far the best for ME; and my inclination to abide in this life, as being more advantageous for YOU:read more.
which consideration persuades me that I shall abide, and even continue some time with you all, to improve your advancement in the faith, and to promote your joy: that by my being present with you again, I may be the occasion of heightning your christian joy.