What does the Bible say about joy?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that true joy is a God-given, enduring gladness rooted in His presence, grace, and saving work rather than changing circumstances. God fills believers with joy and peace as they trust Him, so that they abound in hope by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). Christians may rejoice in hope and even count trials as joy because God uses them to mature faith (Romans 12:12; James 1:2). Jesus gives a joy the world cannot take away, received through abiding in Him and prayer in His name (John 15:11; John 16:22-24). This joy is also fruit of the Spirit, nourishing the heart and strengthening faithful obedience (Galatians 5:22; Proverbs 17:22).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:12
rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!
James 1:2
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
Psalms 16:11
You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
John 16:24
Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, But a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
John 16:22
Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
John 15:11
I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.

Study outline

Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.

Nave's Topical Bible

Attributed to God Deuteronomy 28:63; Deuteronomy 30:9; Jeremiah 32:41
In heaven Luke 15:10-32
UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Deuteronomy 12:18; 1 Samuel 2:1; 1 Chronicles 16:27; 2 Chronicles 7:10; Ezra 6:22; Nehemiah 8:10; Nehemiah 8:12; Nehemiah 12:43; Job 8:21; Job 22:21; Job 22:26; Job 33:26
INSTANCES OF
Of Moses and the Israelites, when Pharaoh and his army were destroyed Exodus 15:1-22
Of Deborah and the Israelites, when Sisera was overthrown Judges 5
Of Jephthah’s daughter, when he returned from his victory over the Ammonites Judges 11:34
Of Hannah, when Samuel was born 1 Samuel 2:1-11
Of Naomi, when Boaz showed kindness to Ruth Ruth 2:20; Ruth 4:14
Of the Israelites
When Saul was presented as their king 1 Samuel 10:24
When David killed Goliath 1 Samuel 18:6; 1 Samuel 18:7
When they came to David to Hebron to make him king 1 Chronicles 12:40
When they took the ark of the covenant from Kirjath-jearim 1 Chronicles 13:8
When they brought the ark of the covenant from the house of Obed-edom to Jerusalem 1 Chronicles 15:16; 1 Chronicles 15:25; 1 Chronicles 15:28
When they made gifts to the house of God 1 Chronicles 29:9
When they observed the dedication of the temple, and the feast of tabernacles under Ezra Ezra 6:16; Ezra 6:22
Of the Jews, after hearing, anew, the word of God Nehemiah 8:9-18
When they turned away from idolatry 2 Chronicles 15:14; 2 Chronicles 15:15; 2 Chronicles 23:18; 2 Chronicles 23:21; 2 Chronicles 29:30; 2 Chronicles 29:36; 2 Chronicles 30:21; 2 Chronicles 30:23; 2 Chronicles 30:26
When the wall of Jerusalem was dedicated Nehemiah 12:43
When the foundation of the second temple was laid Ezra 3:11-13
Of David, over the offerings of the princes and people for the house of God 1 Chronicles 29:10-19
Jews, over the hanging of Haman Esther 8:15; Esther 8:16
Of Elisabeth, when Mary visited her Luke 1:5-44
Of Mary, when she visited Elisabeth Luke 1:46-56
Of Zecharias, when John the Baptist was born Luke 1:67-79
Of angels, when Jesus was born Luke 2:13; Luke 2:14
Of the shepherds, when they saw the infant Jesus Luke 2:20
Of the Magi Matthew 2:10
Of Simeon, when Jesus was presented in the temple Luke 2:28-32
Of the disciples, because the demons were subject to them Luke 10:17
Of the father, when his prodigal son returned Luke 15:20-32
Of angels, when sinners repent Luke 15:7; Luke 15:10
Of the disciples, when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem Matthew 21:8; Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:8-10
Of the women who returned from the Lord’s sepulcher Matthew 28:8
The disciple, after the resurrection of Jesus Luke 24:41
Of the disciples in the temple after the ascension of Jesus Luke 24:53
Of the disciples in the temple because they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:46; Acts 2:47
Of the immobile man who was healed by Peter Acts 3:8
Of Paul, when he went up to Jerusalem Acts 20:22-24

Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

God gives Ecclesiastes 2:26; Psalms 4:7
Christ appointed to give Isaiah 61:3
Is a fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22
The gospel, good tidings of Luke 2:10; Luke 2:11
God’s word affords Nehemiah 8:12; Jeremiah 15:16
The gospel to be received with 1 Thessalonians 1:6
Promised to saints Psalms 132:16; Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 55:12; Isaiah 56:7
Prepared for saints Psalms 97:11
Enjoined to saints Psalms 32:11; Philippians 3:1
Fulness of, in God’s presence Psalms 16:11
Vanity of seeking, from earthly things Ecclesiastes 2:10; Ecclesiastes 2:11; Ecclesiastes 11:8
Experienced by
Believers Luke 24:52; Acts 16:34
Peace-makers Proverbs 12:20
The just Proverbs 21:15
The wise, and discreet Proverbs 15:23
Parents of good children Proverbs 23:24
Increased to the meek Isaiah 29:19
Of saints is
In God Psalms 89:16; Psalms 149:2; Habakkuk 3:18; Romans 5:11
In Christ Luke 1:47; Philippians 3:3
In the Holy Spirit Romans 14:17
For election Luke 10:20
For salvation Psalms 21:1; Isaiah 61:10
For deliverance from bondage Psalms 105:43; Jeremiah 31:10-13
For manifestation of goodness 2 Chronicles 7:10
For temporal blessings Joel 2:23; Joel 2:24
For supplies of grace Isaiah 12:3
For divine protection Psalms 5:11; Psalms 16:8; Psalms 16:9
For divine support Psalms 28:7; Psalms 63:7
For the victory of Christ John 16:33
For the hope of glory Romans 5:2
For the success of the gospel Acts 15:3
Of saints should be
Great Zechariah 9:9; Acts 8:8
Abundant 2 Corinthians 8:2
Exceeding Psalms 21:6; Psalms 68:3
Animated Psalms 32:11; Luke 6:23
Unspeakable 1 Peter 1:8
Full of glory 1 Peter 1:8

Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.

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