Bible Verses About Ministers

Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.

As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!

Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.

On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.

We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.

Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—

But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you.

For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.

For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.

How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence?

In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued or given to much wine or greedy for money.

They must hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household.

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

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.

Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.