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100 Bible Verses about Leadership

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 729 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.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 575 helpful votes

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

Exodus 18:21 ESV / 387 helpful votes

Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Matthew 20:25-28 ESV / 364 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, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV / 314 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? ...

Galatians 6:9 ESV / 268 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 266 helpful votes

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Romans 12:9-13 ESV / 265 helpful votes

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 248 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.

Matthew 20:26 ESV / 247 helpful votes

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

Jeremiah 23:1 ESV / 244 helpful votes

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.

Mark 10:42-45 ESV / 237 helpful votes

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But 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 slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:12-15 ESV / 235 helpful votes

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 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.

Luke 22:24-27 ESV / 215 helpful votes

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 209 helpful votes

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

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 208 helpful votes

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

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 196 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 188 helpful votes

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

Psalm 78:72 ESV / 182 helpful votes

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

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 175 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.

Proverbs 3:5-10 ESV / 172 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; ...

Proverbs 29:2 ESV / 166 helpful votes

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

1 Corinthians 12:12 ESV / 160 helpful votes

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

Acts 20:28 ESV / 159 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.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 153 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.

Luke 6:31 ESV / 153 helpful votes

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

John 3:30 ESV / 143 helpful votes

He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Deuteronomy 1:13 ESV / 135 helpful votes

Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’

John 10:11 ESV / 132 helpful votes

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 129 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.

Luke 22:26 ESV / 126 helpful votes

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

Matthew 5:37 ESV / 125 helpful votes

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Deuteronomy 1:15 ESV / 120 helpful votes

So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and set them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, throughout your tribes.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 119 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 25:28 ESV / 117 helpful votes

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 115 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV / 112 helpful votes

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

1 Timothy 3:5 ESV / 109 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 16:9 ESV / 108 helpful votes

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

2 Chronicles 1:10-12 ESV / 104 helpful votes

Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”

James 3:1 ESV / 102 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 3:2 ESV / 94 helpful votes

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

1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 88 helpful votes

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Proverbs 16:12 ESV / 88 helpful votes

It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

John 13:13-17 ESV / 87 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.

Luke 12:48 ESV / 87 helpful votes

But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Proverbs 29:14 ESV / 84 helpful votes

If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.

Psalm 37:5 ESV / 83 helpful votes

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

James 1:12 ESV / 81 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

1 Timothy 3:8-13 ESV / 80 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 / 75 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;

Mark 10:45 ESV / 73 helpful votes

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

James 4:10 ESV / 72 helpful votes

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

James 1:5-6 ESV / 71 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. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Matthew 24:45-47 ESV / 69 helpful votes

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

Titus 1:7 ESV / 67 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 6:3 ESV / 67 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.

1 Timothy 4:8 ESV / 66 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.

Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV / 65 helpful votes

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 29:12 ESV / 63 helpful votes

If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.

Titus 1:5-9 ESV / 62 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.

Isaiah 32:1-8 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will give attention. The heart of the hasty will understand and know, and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak distinctly. The fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable. ...

Deuteronomy 1:16-17 ESV / 60 helpful votes

And I charged your judges at that time, ‘Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him. You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’

Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV / 59 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, ...

1 Peter 5:2-5 ESV / 58 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; 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. 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.”

Proverbs 22:29 ESV / 58 helpful votes

Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

Isaiah 6:8 ESV / 57 helpful votes

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Deuteronomy 17:16-20 ESV / 57 helpful votes

Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’ And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold. “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.

Titus 1:6 ESV / 56 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 4:2 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

John 3:16 ESV / 56 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.

Proverbs 16:18 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 54 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 53 helpful votes

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

Titus 1:7-14 ESV / 52 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, 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. For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. ...

1 Timothy 3:1-13 ESV / 52 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 12:8 ESV / 52 helpful votes

The one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Proverbs 16:7 ESV / 52 helpful votes

When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Romans 13:1 ESV / 51 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Proverbs 29:4 ESV / 51 helpful votes

By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV / 50 helpful votes

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Philippians 2:5-8 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 50 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.

Isaiah 56:11 ESV / 50 helpful votes

The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.

Proverbs 27:23-24 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?

1 Peter 5:2-4 ESV / 49 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; 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.

Matthew 20:20-28 ESV / 49 helpful votes

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. ...

Jeremiah 1:5 ESV / 49 helpful votes

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV / 47 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.

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV / 45 helpful votes

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

2 Chronicles 20:1-37 ESV / 45 helpful votes

After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, ...

Isaiah 33:15-16 ESV / 44 helpful votes

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure.

1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

James 1:5 ESV / 41 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.

1 Timothy 3:6 ESV / 41 helpful votes

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Psalm 46:10 ESV / 40 helpful votes

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

James 3:13-18 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ...

Proverbs 24:10 ESV / 38 helpful votes

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

1 Samuel 16:18 ESV / 38 helpful votes

One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.”

John 3:16-17 ESV / 35 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.

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