15 Bible Verses about Ministers

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hid; "nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "So let your light shine before men that they may see good you do, and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

"'so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, in order to receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

For others, of their own accord, tell about the welcome I had from you, and how you turned to God from your idols, to be slaved of a true and living God,

O, Timothy, guard the treasure which is committed to you. Shun the profane babblings and contradictions of the falsely called "knowledge"

nor to be paying attention to myths and interminable genealogies, which tend to promote discussions rather than a stewardship entrusted by God, a stewardship which is in faith.

Now it is required of stewards, that a man be found faithful.

The teachings which you have heard from me, attested by many witnesses, deliver into the keeping of faithful men, who in their turn will be able to teach others also.

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hid;

"That man was the Lamp-burning and shining??nd you were willing for a time rejoice in his light.

Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Live in peace among yourselves.

So then, as I have this ministry because of God's mercy to me, I do not lose heart.

It is of this gospel I became a minister according to the gift of the power of the grace of God, bestowed on me by the energy of his power.

And this he will do if, indeed, you continue in the faith, firmly founded and stedfast, and never moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, and which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, that gospel of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

It is he who has also made me sufficient as a minister of a new covenant; not of a letter but of a spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit makes alive.

Of the gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher; and that is the reason I am now undergoing these sufferings.

The gospel was preached for this cause to those who were dead also, that they might be judged according to men in flesh, but live according to God in spirit.

He continued to preach the kingdom of God, and to teach about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, quite unmolested.

But they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the message by the miracles which followed.

In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea;

Then I saw another angel who was flying in mid-heaven. He had an eternal evangel, to evangelize all the dwellers on the earth, of every nation and tribe and tongue and people.

It was for this reason, lest I should be over-elated, that there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be over-elated.

Even to his very hour we are enduring hunger and thirst and nakedness and blows.

by floggings, by imprisonment; in riots, in labors, in sleepless watching, in hunger and thirst;

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as though I were beside myself), such, far, more, am I; in labors more abundant, in imprisonments also more abundant, in floggings beyond measure, in deaths often.

So be on guard; and remember that for three years I ceased not to admonish you all, night and day, even with tears.

So then, even if I did write to you, it was not for the sake of the wrong-doer, or of him who had been wronged, but to make clear to yourselves in the sight of God your earnest care for me.

Not to mention other things, there is the crowding pressure of each day upon me, the care of all the churches.

For I dread that perhaps, when I come, I may not find you to be such as I wish, and that I may be found by you such as you do not wish; I dread lest there should be quarrels, jealousy, tempers, party spirit, slandering, gossip, arrogance, tumults;

I am alarmed about you for fear lest I may have bestowed labor on you to no purpose.

incensed at their teaching the people, and proclaiming, in the case of Jesus, the resurrection from the dead.

Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and began to preach Christ there.

Then Philip opened his lips, and beginning from that same scripture, he preached the gospel of Jesus to him.

And he began at once to proclaim in the synagogues Jesus as the Son of God.

"You cannot but know the message which he sent to the descendants of Israel, when he preached the gospel of peace by Jesus Christ who is Lord of all;

incensed at their teaching the people, and proclaiming, in the case of Jesus, the resurrection from the dead.

Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and began to preach Christ there.

Then Philip opened his lips, and beginning from that same scripture, he preached the gospel of Jesus to him.

And he began at once to proclaim in the synagogues Jesus as the Son of God.

"You cannot but know the message which he sent to the descendants of Israel, when he preached the gospel of peace by Jesus Christ who is Lord of all;

These men they presented to the apostles who, when they had prayed, laid their hands upon them.

Never neglect the gift within you, which was given in fulfilment of prophecy at the time of the laying on of hands by the elders.

Never ordain any one hastily, nor take part in the wrong-doing of others. Keep yourself pure.

For this reason let me remind you to keep ever blazing that gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you showed for his cause, in sending help to your fellow Christians, as you are still doing.

So, my brothers beloved, stand firm, immovable, always abounding in work for the Lord, because you know that your toil is not fruitless in the Lord.

But the man who looks closely into the perfect law??he law of liberty??nd continues looking, this man will be blessed in his deed because he is not a hearer who forgets, but a doer who does.

For whoever gives you even a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, in solemn truth I tell you, that he shall certainly not lose his reward.

And he said to them. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

"What I am telling you is in the darkness, do you speak in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

"As you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

"Leave the dead to bury their own dead," said Jesus to him, "go you and announce, far and wide the kingdom of God."

And he said to them. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

"What I am telling you is in the darkness, do you speak in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

"As you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

"Leave the dead to bury their own dead," said Jesus to him, "go you and announce, far and wide the kingdom of God."

For the Scripture says, You must not muzzle an ox when he is treading out the grain, and The worker is worth his wages.

"not even a bag for the journey, or a change of clothes, or sandals, or even a stick; for the worker is worth his rations.

Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

He, however, who is being taught in the message, should always share with his instructor in all the good things which he possesses.

Notwithstanding, you have acted nobly in making yourselves comrades in my trouble.

For the Scripture says, You must not muzzle an ox when he is treading out the grain, and The worker is worth his wages.

"not even a bag for the journey, or a change of clothes, or sandals, or even a stick; for the worker is worth his rations.

Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

He, however, who is being taught in the message, should always share with his instructor in all the good things which he possesses.

Notwithstanding, you have acted nobly in making yourselves comrades in my trouble.

She must be well reputed for good works, as one who has brought up a family, received strangers with hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved the distressed, and diligently followed every good work.

The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;

Be liberal to needy saints. Practise hospitality.

but he must be hospitable, a lover of the good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.

Do not neglect to show hospitality; for by it some have even entertained angels unawares.

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood.

The third time Jesus asked him, "Am I really dear to you?" Peter was grieved because the third time he asked, "Am I really dear to you?" and he answered, "Master, you know all things, you know that you are dear to me."

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood.

The third time Jesus asked him, "Am I really dear to you?" Peter was grieved because the third time he asked, "Am I really dear to you?" and he answered, "Master, you know all things, you know that you are dear to me."

I am; for I am not like most, trafficking in the word of God, but rather from a sincere heart, like a man of God, I speak in Christ, in the very presence of God.

For as you well know, I never resorted to flattery, nor to any pretext for enriching myself. God is my witness!

I have renounced the hidden things of shame, not spending my life in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God; but setting forth the truth openly, I strive to commend myself to every man's conscience as in the sight of God.

For my preaching was not grounded on a delusion, or on impure motives, on in deceit.

teaching them to observe every command which I have given you. and lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;

Those whose masters are Christian believers must not treat them with disrespect, because they are brothers; nay, rather slave for them the better because those who get the benefit of their services are believing and beloved. Continue to teach and preach this.

Keep preaching and teaching these things.

He must be gentle when instructing opponents; for possibly God may give them a change of mind for the recognition of the truth,

teaching them to observe every command which I have given you. and lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;

Those whose masters are Christian believers must not treat them with disrespect, because they are brothers; nay, rather slave for them the better because those who get the benefit of their services are believing and beloved. Continue to teach and preach this.

Keep preaching and teaching these things.

He must be gentle when instructing opponents; for possibly God may give them a change of mind for the recognition of the truth,

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who must give account; that they may do thus with joy and not with lamentation, for this would be unprofitable to you.

to these latter an odor of death to death, to the former, of life to life. For such service as this, who is sufficient?

Do not become many teachers, my brothers, because you know well that we teachers shall be judged by a severer standard than others.

Then, when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you too will receive the fadeless wreath of glory.

If any man's work??he building he has made??tands the test, he will be rewarded.

In solemn truth I tell you that he will set him over all his property.

For if I do this of my own accord, I have my pay; but if unwilling, I have at least discharged my stewardship. What then is my wage? This, that I can make the gospel free where I carry it; and that I can refrain from using my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold in honor men like him;

Let the elders who fill their offices well, be held worthy of twofold honor; especially those who have the task of preaching and teaching.

Remember your leaders, the men who spoke the message of God to you; consider the issue of their lives, and imitate their faith.

Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Live in peace among yourselves.

Brothers, be comrades in imitating me, and study those whose life and walk is according to the pattern I have set you.

Not that I have no right to such support; it was simply to give you an example for you to imitate.

Let no one despise you on account of your youth, but become an example for the faithful in word, in life, in love, in faith, in purity.

not by way of lording it over your heritage, but by becoming examples to the flock.

while all of you also are helping me by your prayers; so that from many lips thanksgiving may rise on my behalf for the blessings vouchsafed to me through the intercessions of many.

Keep on praying for me. I am persuaded that I have a clear conscience, and I desire in every way to live nobly.

and for me, that utterance may be given me to open my mouth boldly, and to make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador,

Brothers, I beseech you, by Jesus Christ our Lord, and by the love which the Spirit gives, to help me in my struggle by your prayers to God on my behalf,

So in my fond affection it was my joy to give you, not only the gospel of God, but my very life also, because you had become dear to me.

It is but just that I should be thus mindful of you all, because I have you in my heart, and because in these fetters of mine and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel you are all my fellow partners in the privilege.

You know how I was wont to treat each of you as a father treats his children,

For Christ did not think I baptized any one else. For Christ did not send me forth to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel; and that not in philosophic words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made an empty thing.

My message and my preaching were not in the persuasive language of philosophy, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power;

And when I came to you, brothers, I came not to proclaim God's great secret purpose in fine language of philosophy;

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who must give account; that they may do thus with joy and not with lamentation, for this would be unprofitable to you.

Upon every remembrance of you I am ever thanking my God for you all;

I am always thanking God on your behalf, for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus;

For what thanksgiving can I render again to God in your behalf, in return for all the joy which you cause me in the presence of my God?

Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold in honor men like him;

Let the elders who fill their offices well, be held worthy of twofold honor; especially those who have the task of preaching and teaching.

Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Live in peace among yourselves.

He, however, who is being taught in the message, should always share with his instructor in all the good things which he possesses.

What soldier ever serves at his own expense? What farmer ever plants a vineyard and his flock and does not taste the milk? Am I saying this on human authority only, or does not the Law also say the same? Yea, in the Law of Moses it is written, Thou shalt not muzzle an ox while he is treading out the grain. read more.
Is it the oxen that God is thinking about, or is it really said for our sakes? It was written for us; because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher in hope of getting a share of the crop. If I have sown for you the seeds of spiritual good, is it a great thing if I reap from you temporal goods?

Be shepherds to your flock of God; take charge of them willingly, and not through compulsion; not for filthy lucre, but with a willing mind;

Deacons, likewise, must be serious, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of gain,

"No man's silver or gold of clothing did I ever covet.

no drinker or brawler; but forbearing, peaceable, and no money-lover;

Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood.

Be shepherds to your flock of God; take charge of them willingly, and not through compulsion; not for filthy lucre, but with a willing mind;

When they were through breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Lord, you know that you are dear to me." he answered. Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that you are dear to me." "Be a shepherd to my sheep," said Jesus. The third time Jesus asked him, "Am I really dear to you?" Peter was grieved because the third time he asked, "Am I really dear to you?" and he answered, "Master, you know all things, you know that you are dear to me."

For what is my hope, or joy? What is the victor's wreath in which I exult? What but your own selves in the presence of our Lord Jesus, at his coming!

But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you. I have been comforted, my brothers, in regard to you, in spite of all my distress and affliction over your faith. For now I am really living, if you are standing firm in the Lord. read more.
For what thanksgiving can I render again to God in your behalf, in return for all the joy which you cause me in the presence of my God?

"What I am telling you is in the darkness, do you speak in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but fear rather him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

I am giving no one a cause of stumbling in order that my ministry may not be discredited;

Do not be a cause of stumbling either to Jews of to Gentiles, or to the church of God. For so I also try to please all men in every way, not by seeking my own good, but the good of the many, that they may be saved.

And now for the third time I am preparing to visit you. I will not be a burden to you, for I am not seeking yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

Now was I seeking glory from men, either yourselves or others, although I might have exercised authority as Christ's apostle.

You recall, brothers, my labor and toil; how, while working at my trade day and night, so as not to become a burden to any of you, I proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

What then is my wage? This, that I can make the gospel free where I carry it; and that I can refrain from using my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

but he must be hospitable, a lover of the good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.

If, however, I were to boast more loudly concerning the authority which the Lord gave me (not to cast you down, but to build you up), I should have no cause for shame.

For this reason I am writing thus while absent, so that when I come, I may not have to deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for pulling down.

If, however, I were to boast more loudly concerning the authority which the Lord gave me (not to cast you down, but to build you up), I should have no cause for shame.

For this reason I am writing thus while absent, so that when I come, I may not have to deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for pulling down.

Now then, as you excel in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and all zeal and in your love to me, see to it that you excel in this grace also.

But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you.

Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and began to preach Christ there.

Then Philip opened his lips, and beginning from that same scripture, he preached the gospel of Jesus to him.

for I determined to know nothing, while among you, but Jesus as Christ, and him a crucified Christ.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and that grace of his, bestowed upon me, did not prove ineffectual. I labored more abundantly than all the rest, yet not I, but by the grace of God that is with me.

So neither is he who planted anything, nor he who watered, but God alone, who is making the seed grow.

as some indeed did recognize in part at last, that I am your cause of boasting, just as you will be mine on the Day of Jesus our Lord.

And for this very reason I wrote you, that I might not come only to be grieved by those who ought to give me joy; and because I trusted in you all, that my joy is the joy of all of you.

On every side I am hard pressed, yet not hemmed in; perplexed, but not in despair;

as grieved, but always glad; as poor, but making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

Brothers, be comrades in imitating me, and study those whose life and walk is according to the pattern I have set you.

Be imitators of me, as I am an imitator of Christ.

in order to equip the saints for the work of serving, for the building up of the Body of Christ??13 till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the maturity of manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

Do you think that all this time I am defending myself to you? It is before the presence of God that I am speaking in Christ; and all, beloved, for your upbuilding.

Think you that I am now trying to conciliate men or God? Or am I "seeking to please men"? If I were still seeking to please men, I should not be a slave of Christ.

But as my fitness to be entrusted with the gospel has been tested and approved by God, I so speak, not to please men, but to please God, who is testing my motives.

The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be kind to all men; a skilful teacher, patient of wrong.

On the contrary I showed myself among you as gentle as a mother, when she tenderly nurses her own children.

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who must give account; that they may do thus with joy and not with lamentation, for this would be unprofitable to you.

and although my bodily affliction was a trial to you, you did not scoff at it nor spurn me, but welcomed me like an angel of God, like Christ Jesus himself.

Let any man look upon us as servants of Christ, and stewards of the secret truths of God.

I never shrank from telling you the whole counsel of God.

"You know that I never shrank from declaring to you anything that was profitable, nor from teaching you publicity and in your homes,

He said to them, "Go take your stand in the Temple, and continue to tell the people all the words of this Life."

but in every way I am striving to commend myself as God's minister by stedfast endurance, by afflictions, by troubles, by distresses,

The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be kind to all men; a skilful teacher, patient of wrong.

Not that I am sufficient in myself to reach any conclusion in my own wisdom; but my sufficiency is from God. It is he who has also made me sufficient as a minister of a new covenant; not of a letter but of a spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit makes alive.

But if, because he is a bad slave, he should say to himself, 'My Master is a long time in coming,' and if he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and to eat or drink with the drunkards, on a day when he is not expecting him, and at an hour which he does not know, the Master of that servant will arrive read more.
and will scourge him severely, and allot him a place among hypocrites, where will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

As you lay all these things before the brothers, you will be a noble minister of Christ Jesus, nourishing yourself in the precepts of the faith and that noble teaching which you have followed.

These latter out of their love, because they know that I am set here for the defense of the gospel;

But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, if only I may run my race, and accomplish the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to attest the gospel of the grace of God.

So it is my keen expectation and hope that I shall never feel ashamed, but that with fearless courage, now as hither to, Christ may be magnified in my body, whether by my life or by my death. For, with me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

For this cause I bend my knees before the Father,

in every petition of mine in your behalf I am offering my prayer with joy for your fellowship in forwarding the gospel,

For there are many individuals who are unruly, empty talkers and deceivers, particularly those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped; for they upset whole households and, for filthy lucre's sake, teach what they ought not to teach.

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who disbelieves shall be condemned.

For Christ did not think I baptized any one else. For Christ did not send me forth to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel; and that not in philosophic words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made an empty thing.

Be applying yourself until I come to public reading, preaching, and teaching.

Let these things be your care, give yourself wholly to them, so that your progress may be manifest to all.

I have fought in the glorious contest; I have run the race; I have kept the faith.

This charge then, I am laying upon you, Timothy, my son, according to the predictions formerly made concerning you. Fight the good fight in the spirit of these predictions,

he should be a man who rules his own household well, and keeps his children ever under control and thoroughly well behaved.

Let deacons be the husband of but one wife, men who rule their children and their household properly.

The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;

The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be kind to all men; a skilful teacher, patient of wrong.

yes, and I beg you also, my true yokefellow, to help them; for these women shared my toil in the furtherance of the gospel, together with Clement, and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the book of life.

and Urbanus, my fellow toiler in Christ; and Stachys, my dear, dear friend.

"Let them alone. They are blind men leading the blind; and if one blind man leads another, both of them will fall into a ditch."

holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

"He who listens to you listens to me. and he who rejects you, rejects me; he who rejects me, rejects him who sent me."

Let no one despise you on account of your youth, but become an example for the faithful in word, in life, in love, in faith, in purity.

"therefore do and observe whatever they bid you; but do not do as they do, for they preach, but do not practise.

For this reason from the day I heard of it I have never ceased to pray for you, asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will with every kind of wisdom and spiritual insight;

but he must be hospitable, a lover of the good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.

A soldier in active service avoids entangling himself in the every-day affairs of life, so that he may please his commander.

"Leave the dead to bury their own dead," said Jesus to him, "go you and announce, far and wide the kingdom of God."

For indeed a presiding officer, as God's steward, ought to be blameless, not self-willed or quick-tempered, not a drunkard or violent, or greedy of filthy lucre;

no drinker or brawler; but forbearing, peaceable, and no money-lover;

For indeed a presiding officer, as God's steward, ought to be blameless, not self-willed or quick-tempered, not a drunkard or violent, or greedy of filthy lucre;

The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;

The minister should be a man of blameless character; he should be husband of but one wife; he should live a sober, self-restrained, orderly life; he should be hospitable, skilled in teaching;

but he must be hospitable, a lover of the good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.

For indeed a presiding officer, as God's steward, ought to be blameless, not self-willed or quick-tempered, not a drunkard or violent, or greedy of filthy lucre;

no drinker or brawler; but forbearing, peaceable, and no money-lover;

Again no one takes this honorable office for himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.

In their covetousness, with cunning words, they will make merchandise of you; those whose doom has not been idle from of old, and whose destruction has not been slumbering.

"But we will give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word."

Be shepherds to your flock of God; take charge of them willingly, and not through compulsion; not for filthy lucre, but with a willing mind;

Everywhere they strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to hold to the faith. "It is through many tribulations," they said, "that we must enter into the kingdom of God."

"But I made supplication for you that your own faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned again, must strengthen your brothers."

This testimony is true. So rebuke them sharply,

Thus speak, exhort, reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.

As God is faithful, my message to you is not now "Yes," now "No." For Jesus Christ, Son of God, who was proclaimed among you by us, that is, by Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not wavering between "Yes" and "No," but in him is the everlasting "Yes."

He must hold to the faithful word according to the teaching, so that he may be able both to encourage by sound teaching, and to confute our opponents.

Thus speak, exhort, reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you.

But they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the message by the miracles which followed.

So those who were scattered abroad were going everywhere preaching the word.

And as they were worshiping the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

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;

So in my fond affection it was my joy to give you, not only the gospel of God, but my very life also, because you had become dear to me.

who ever comforts me in all my troubles, so that I may be continually able to comfort those who are in any trouble by the comfort with which God is ever comforting me. For just as I have more than my share in the sufferings of the Christ, so also through the Christ I have more than my share of comfort. If I am afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if I am receiving comfort, it is for your comfort?? comfort produced within you by your patient fortitude, under the same sufferings which I also am enduring.

For so I also try to please all men in every way, not by seeking my own good, but the good of the many, that they may be saved.

But as my fitness to be entrusted with the gospel has been tested and approved by God, I so speak, not to please men, but to please God, who is testing my motives.

Therefore, cherishing such a hope, I use great freedom of speech.

On Christ's behalf, then, I come as ambassador. It is as though God was entreating you, through me, on Christ's behalf I beg you to be reconciled to God.

but I bruise my body and keep it in subjection, lest having called others to the contest, I should myself be disqualified.

Proclaiming the gospel gives me no ground of boasting; for necessity is laid upon me; woe is me if I preach not the gospel.

He delivered me from such a death, and will deliver me. On him I have set my hopes that he will continue to deliver me,

I have renounced the hidden things of shame, not spending my life in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God; but setting forth the truth openly, I strive to commend myself to every man's conscience as in the sight of God.

but in every way I am striving to commend myself as God's minister by stedfast endurance, by afflictions, by troubles, by distresses,

It is not myself that I proclaim, but Christ Jesus as Master, and myself that I proclaim, and myself your slave for Jesus' sake.

Great is my faith in you; great is my cheerful assurance in you. I am filled with comfort; in spite of all my troubles, my heart is overflowing with joy.

I have renounced the hidden things of shame, not spending my life in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God; but setting forth the truth openly, I strive to commend myself to every man's conscience as in the sight of God.

It is not myself that I proclaim, but Christ Jesus as Master, and myself that I proclaim, and myself your slave for Jesus' sake.

Let any man look upon us as servants of Christ, and stewards of the secret truths of God.

Let any man look upon us as servants of Christ, and stewards of the secret truths of God.

But I hold this treasure in an earthen vessel, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be from God, and not from myself.

But the eleven disciples went away to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came forward to them and spoke to them, saying. "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. read more.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit;

Epaphroditus, my brother and coworker and fellow soldier, who is your messenger and minister to my needs, I have thought it necessary to send to you;

And you know Timothy's worth, how he has shared my servitude in furtherance of the gospel, like a son helping his father.

It is but just that I should be thus mindful of you all, because I have you in my heart, and because in these fetters of mine and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel you are all my fellow partners in the privilege.

And he said to his disciples. "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few; "therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to thrust forth laborers into his harvest field."

Give heed to yourself and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

I charge you solemnly in the presence of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice against any man, and do nothing out of partiality.

Take your share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who must give account; that they may do thus with joy and not with lamentation, for this would be unprofitable to you.