What does the Bible say about ministering to unsaved?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible calls Christians to minister to unbelievers by faithfully proclaiming the gospel of Christ, living in holiness and love, and trusting God to save by His grace. Mark 16:15 sends believers to preach the gospel to all creation, while Romans 5:8 centers that message on God’s love shown in Christ’s death for sinners. Titus 2:1-15 and Ephesians 4:1-32 teach that sound doctrine and godly conduct adorn the gospel, making Christian witness credible. James 3:1-18 warns that ministry must be marked by humble, peaceable wisdom rather than selfish ambition. Believers are to use their gifts faithfully, as 1 Timothy 4:14-16 teaches, while remembering that salvation ultimately comes from God’s sovereign mercy, not human skill.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • James 3:1-18

    [1] Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. [2] For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn't stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. [3] Indeed, we put bits into the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. [4] Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. [5] So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! [6] And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna. [7] For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. [8] But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. [9] With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. [10] Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. [11] Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? [12] Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water. [13] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. [15] This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. [17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. [18] Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

  • Titus 2:1-15

    [1] But say the things which fit sound doctrine, [2] that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: [3] and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; [4] that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God's word may not be blasphemed. [6] Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober-minded; [7] in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, [8] and soundness of speech that can't be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. [9] Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting; [10] not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. [11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, [12] instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; [13] looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; [14] who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. [15] Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.

  • Ephesians 4:1-32

    [1] I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, [2] with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; [3] being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. [7] But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. [8] Therefore he says, "When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." [9] Now this, "He ascended," what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? [10] He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. [11] He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; [12] for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [14] that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; [15] but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; [16] from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love. [17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, [18] being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; [19] who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. [20] But you did not learn Christ that way; [21] if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: [22] that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; [23] and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, [24] and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. [25] Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members one of another. [26] "Be angry, and don't sin." Don't let the sun go down on your wrath, [27] neither give place to the devil. [28] Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need. [29] Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. [30] Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. [32] And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

  • Romans 5:8

    But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

  • Ephesians 1:1-23

    [1] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: [2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; [5] having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, [6] to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved, [7] in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him [10] to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him; [11] in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; [12] to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: [13] in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Gospel of your salvation,--in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, [14] who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory. [15] For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, [16] don't cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might [20] which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. [22] He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

  • Colossians 3:1-25

    [1] If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. [2] Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. [3] For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. [5] Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; [6] for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. [7] You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; [8] but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. [9] Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, [10] and have put on the new man, that is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, [11] where there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. [12] Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. [15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. [17] Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. [18] Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. [19] Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them. [20] Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. [21] Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged. [22] Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. [23] And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. [25] But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

  • 1 Timothy 4:1-16

    [1] But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, [2] through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; [3] forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. [5] For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. [6] If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed. [7] But refuse profane and old wives' fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. [8] For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value for all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come. [9] This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance. [10] For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. [11] Command and teach these things. [12] Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. [13] Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. [14] Don't neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders. [15] Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. [16] Pay attention to yourself, and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

  • 1 Timothy 4:14

    Don't neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.

  • Mark 16:15

    He said to them, "Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to the whole creation.

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about ministering to unsaved and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about ministering to unsaved