What does the Bible say about qualities of a good leader?
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The Bible teaches that good leaders are godly servants who exercise authority with humility, integrity, wisdom, and care for those entrusted to them. Exodus 18:21 and Deuteronomy 1:13 commend capable, God-fearing people who love truth and reject dishonest gain. Titus 1:7-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7 stress self-control, sound doctrine, a good reputation, and faithful household conduct. Jesus says that greatness is shown through serving rather than ruling selfishly, and 1 Peter 5:2-3 calls leaders to shepherd willingly and by example. Proverbs also values justice and wise counsel, while Philippians 2:3 and 2 Timothy 2:24 require humility, gentleness, and patient instruction.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Exodus 18:21 5 votes
Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
- Titus 1:7-9 5 votes
[7] For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; [8] but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober-minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; [9] holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him.
- 1 Timothy 3:1-7 4 votes
[1] This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work. [2] The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; [3] not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; [4] one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; [5] (but if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?) [6] not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. [7] Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- Deuteronomy 1:13 4 votes
Take wise men of understanding and well known according to your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.
- 1 Peter 5:2-3 4 votes
[2] Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; [3] neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
- Proverbs 29:14 4 votes
The king who fairly judges the poor, His throne shall be established forever.
- Philippians 2:3 4 votes
doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
- 2 Timothy 2:24 4 votes
The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,
- Luke 22:26 3 votes
But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.
- Proverbs 11:14 3 votes
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, But in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
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