12 Bible Verses about Rivalry

Now there arose a dispute among them as to which one of them was the greatest. And Jesus who knew the dispute that was in their hearts, took a young child, and placed him by his side; then he said to them. "Whoever shall receive this little child in my name receives me; and whoever shall receive me receives him that sent me. For it is the lowliest among you all who is great."

At that hour his disciples came to Jesus and asked him, "Who is really greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" When he had called a little child to him, Jesus set him among them, and answered. "In solemn truth I tell you that unless you turn and become like little children, you will not even enter the kingdom of heaven.read more.
"Whoever therefore will humble himself like this little child, is greatest in the kingdom of heaven;

But they were silent, for on the road they were disputing together which one was greatest. So he sat down and called the Twelve, and said to them, "If any one wishes to be first, he must be last of all, and the servant of all." Then Jesus took a little child, set it among them, and folding it in his arms, he said,read more.
"Whoever in my name receives one such little child, receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me, but Him who sent me."

Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, kneeling down and begging a favor of him. "What is it you wish?" he said. She answered, "Command that these my two sons may sit upon your right hand and your left in your kingdom." "None of you know what you are asking," said Jesus. "Can you drink the cup which I am about to drink?" "We can," they replied.read more.
My cup you indeed shall drink," he answered, "but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard of this, they were indignant at the two brothers;

Presently there came up to him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, and said, "Teacher, we wish you would do for us whatever we ask you." "What is it you want me to do for you?" said he. They answered, "Allow us to sit, one at your right hand, and the other at your left hand, in your glory."read more.
"You know not what you are asking," said Jesus. "Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They answered him, "We can." "You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism that I am baptized with shall you be baptized, but a seat upon my right hand or my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been reserved." When they heard this the ten began to be indignant at James and John, so Jesus called them to him and said:

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi'; for one is your Teacher, and you are all brothers; "and call no one 'Father' on earth, for One is your Father in heaven. "And call no one 'Leader,' because One is your leader, even the Christ.read more.
"Whoever is great among you shall be your minister;

You are not able even now, for you are still unspiritual. While there is among you jealousy and strife, are you not still unspiritual, and behaving like worldlings? When one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere worldlings?

I mean by this that one of you says, "I am a follower of Paul"; another, "I of Apollos"; another, "I of Cephas"; another, "I of Christ." Has Christ been divided? Paul, was he crucified for you? or was it into the name of Paul that you were baptized?

You are all sons of God through your faith in Jesus Christ. For all of you who were baptized into Christ, have clothed yourselves with Christ. In him there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

"You know that those who are regarded as rulers among the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make them feel their authority. Not so shall it be among you. On the contrary whoever would become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever among you would be first, shall be slave of all,read more.
and justly, for even the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life, a ransom for many."

but Jesus called them to him and said: "You know how the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. "Not so shall it be among you. But whoever among you wishes to become great, shall be your minister, "and whoever wishes to be first among you, shall be your slave;read more.
"just as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Some indeed are preaching Christ out of envy and contentiousness, but others from good-will. but the former preach Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, because they think they are adding bitterness to my bonds. These latter out of their love, because they know that I am set here for the defense of the gospel;read more.
What of it? In any case, whether in pretence or in honest truth, Christ is still preached, and in that I am rejoicing, yes, and will rejoice.