What does the Bible say about keeping order?
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The Bible teaches that godly order reflects God's own character, promotes peace, and helps both the church and civil society flourish under rightful authority. In 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40, Paul says God is not a God of confusion and calls the gathered church to conduct its worship decently and in order. Titus 1:5 and 1 Timothy 3:2 show that churches should appoint qualified overseers to care for God's people, while Hebrews 13:17 calls believers to respect faithful spiritual leaders. Romans 13:1-2 teaches submission to governing authorities as God's servants, except where obedience to God requires otherwise. Such order is not cold control, but loving stewardship that protects truth, peace, and mutual edification.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Corinthians 14:40
Let all things be done decently and in order.
- 1 Corinthians 14:33
for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints,
- Titus 1:5
I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you;
- Colossians 2:5
For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
- Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
- Romans 13:1-2
[1] Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. [2] Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.
- 1 Timothy 3:2
The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
- 1 Corinthians 11:34
But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest your coming together be for judgment. The rest I will set in order whenever I come.
- 1 Timothy 3:14-15
[14] These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; [15] but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
- Romans 13:1-14
[1] Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. [2] Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. [3] For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, [4] for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. [5] Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake. [6] For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God's service, attending continually on this very thing. [7] Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor. [8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [10] Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. [11] Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed. [12] The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let's therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let's put on the armor of light. [13] Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy. [14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
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