100 Bible Verses about Ministry

Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV / 275 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,

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 197 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.

Romans 10:13-15 ESV / 146 helpful votes

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 ESV / 145 helpful votes

We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; ...

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 137 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.

Acts 20:24 ESV / 121 helpful votes

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 118 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.

2 Corinthians 4:1-18 ESV / 93 helpful votes

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. ...

2 Corinthians 3:6 ESV / 92 helpful votes

Who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 ESV / 83 helpful votes

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Romans 12:1-8 ESV / 76 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. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 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. ...

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 72 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.”

James 4:10 ESV / 70 helpful votes

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

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 56 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.

2 Corinthians 4:1 ESV / 55 helpful votes

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 ESV / 54 helpful votes

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. ...

Acts 6:4 ESV / 53 helpful votes

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

2 Corinthians 5:11-20 ESV / 51 helpful votes

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. ...

1 Corinthians 3:5-6 ESV / 50 helpful votes

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

Isaiah 6:8 ESV / 49 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.”

Luke 4:1-12 ESV / 47 helpful votes

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, ...

Luke 3:23 ESV / 47 helpful votes

Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV / 46 helpful votes

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 46 helpful votes

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Mark 3:1-35 ESV / 46 helpful votes

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. ...

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 43 helpful votes

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

Romans 8:28 ESV / 43 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.

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Mark 10:45 ESV / 42 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.”

1 Timothy 2:7 ESV / 41 helpful votes

For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 40 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.

Ephesians 4:12 ESV / 40 helpful votes

To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 39 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Acts 1:8 ESV / 39 helpful votes

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 37 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.

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Acts 20:28 ESV / 34 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.

Hebrews 6:10 ESV / 33 helpful votes

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV / 33 helpful votes

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

Acts 1:25 ESV / 33 helpful votes

To take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV / 33 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.

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 32 helpful votes

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 31 helpful votes

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Romans 1:1 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

1 Peter 4:10 ESV / 30 helpful votes

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

Matthew 20:28 ESV / 30 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 29 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.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 29 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.

Acts 1:17 ESV / 28 helpful votes

For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”

Matthew 21:15-16 ESV / 28 helpful votes

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 27 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,

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 26 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV / 26 helpful votes

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Ephesians 5:19 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Galatians 6:9 ESV / 25 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 1:8-9 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV / 25 helpful votes

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 24 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. ...

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 23 helpful votes

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 22 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 Corinthians 14:15 ESV / 22 helpful votes

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

Romans 10:14-15 ESV / 22 helpful votes

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

1 Peter 1:12 ESV / 21 helpful votes

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Hebrews 2:12 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Romans 12:7 ESV / 21 helpful votes

If service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;

1 Timothy 1:12 ESV / 20 helpful votes

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,

1 Thessalonians 5:25 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Brothers, pray for us.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV / 20 helpful votes

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

Matthew 22:39 ESV / 20 helpful votes

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

1 Peter 2:2-3 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 19 helpful votes

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:2-6 ESV / 19 helpful votes

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Proverbs 20:11 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Colossians 4:17 ESV / 18 helpful votes

And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

Colossians 4:12 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV / 18 helpful votes

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Proverbs 6:20 ESV / 18 helpful votes

My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Ephesians 5:18-19 ESV / 17 helpful votes

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV / 17 helpful votes

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 16 helpful votes

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Luke 6:40 ESV / 15 helpful votes

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Acts 5:42 ESV / 14 helpful votes

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Psalm 149:3 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!

Psalm 139:14 ESV / 13 helpful votes

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Deuteronomy 30:1-3 ESV / 13 helpful votes

“And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you.

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