100 Bible Verses about Church Leaders

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 82 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Timothy 3:1-16 ESV / 79 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...

Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV / 77 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ...

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 74 helpful votes

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Acts 20:28 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Titus 1:5 ESV / 65 helpful votes

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 63 helpful votes

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

James 3:1 ESV / 58 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV / 55 helpful votes

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Titus 1:7 ESV / 51 helpful votes

For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

Acts 14:23 ESV / 50 helpful votes

And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 46 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

Titus 1:5-9 ESV / 45 helpful votes

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV / 45 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 44 helpful votes

Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

1 Timothy 3:1 ESV / 44 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

John 3:30 ESV / 44 helpful votes

He must increase, but I must decrease.”

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 43 helpful votes

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Galatians 6:9 ESV / 43 helpful votes

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV / 42 helpful votes

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Romans 12:3-8 ESV / 41 helpful votes

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ...

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 39 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

1 Timothy 3:8-13 ESV / 39 helpful votes

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. ...

1 Peter 5:2 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV / 38 helpful votes

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Acts 20:17 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 37 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Acts 6:1-15 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ...

Titus 1:6 ESV / 36 helpful votes

If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 3:12 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.

Matthew 16:18 ESV / 36 helpful votes

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 35 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

James 4:10 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

1 Timothy 4:1-16 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. ...

Romans 8:28 ESV / 34 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Luke 6:31 ESV / 34 helpful votes

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

1 Peter 5:1 ESV / 33 helpful votes

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:

Titus 1:9 ESV / 33 helpful votes

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

1 Timothy 3:5 ESV / 33 helpful votes

For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?

1 Timothy 2:1-15 ESV / 33 helpful votes

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ...

Acts 15:22 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 32 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 ESV / 32 helpful votes

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 32 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV / 31 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Philippians 1:6 ESV / 30 helpful votes

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:1 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

John 13:13-17 ESV / 30 helpful votes

You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 30 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 29 helpful votes

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Matthew 20:25-27 ESV / 29 helpful votes

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,

John 3:16-17 ESV / 28 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Timothy 3:8 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Acts 17:11 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Titus 1:3 ESV / 26 helpful votes

And at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

Titus 1:2 ESV / 26 helpful votes

In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

1 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

Acts 6:3 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

Acts 6:2 ESV / 26 helpful votes

And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

Revelation 1:2 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 25 helpful votes

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 25 helpful votes

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Timothy 3:3 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

1 Timothy 3:1-2 ESV / 25 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Philippians 4:3 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Ezekiel 34:1 ESV / 25 helpful votes

The word of the Lord came to me:

3 John 1:9-10 ESV / 24 helpful votes

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

James 4:17 ESV / 24 helpful votes

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Hebrews 13:24 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings.

2 Timothy 2:3 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:4 ESV / 24 helpful votes

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

1 Peter 5:1-2 ESV / 23 helpful votes

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 23 helpful votes

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Philippians 3:17 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

James 1:5 ESV / 22 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Titus 1:6-9 ESV / 22 helpful votes

If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

1 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 22 helpful votes

If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

Acts 6:1-6 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ...

Luke 18:27 ESV / 22 helpful votes

But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Matthew 20:26 ESV / 22 helpful votes

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Psalm 32:8 ESV / 22 helpful votes

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Titus 1:4 ESV / 20 helpful votes

To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Romans 12:1 ESV / 20 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

James 3:4 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

Acts 20:6 ESV / 19 helpful votes

But we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.

James 1:2 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 18 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 ESV / 18 helpful votes

While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Luke 22:26 ESV / 17 helpful votes

But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

Psalm 78:72 ESV / 17 helpful votes

With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.

1 Timothy 4:16 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 3:1-13 ESV / 16 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...

Romans 16:3 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

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