What does the Bible say about spiritual leadership?

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

• 1 Peter 2:9

  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

• Mark 10:42-45

  [42] Jesus summoned them, and said to them, "You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [43] But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. [44] Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. [45] For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

• Hebrews 3:6

  but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end.

• Ephesians 5:21-33

  [21] subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. [22] Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. [24] But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything. [25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; [26] that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, [27] that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. [28] Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. [29] For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; [30] because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. [31] "For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh." [32] This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. [33] Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

• 2 Timothy 2:15

  Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

• 1 Peter 3:1-7

  [1] In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; [2] seeing your pure behavior in fear. [3] Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; [4] but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious. [5] For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God, also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: [6] as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. [7] You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.

• 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 11:3-16

  [3] But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. [4] Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. [5] But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved. [6] For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. [7] For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man. [8] For man is not from woman, but woman from man; [9] for neither was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. [10] For this cause the woman ought to have authority on her head, because of the angels. [11] Nevertheless, neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman, in the Lord. [12] For as woman came from man, so a man also comes through a woman; but all things are from God. [13] Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to God unveiled? [14] Doesn't even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? [15] But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. [16] But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God's assemblies.

• John 6:63

  It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.

• John 10:27

  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

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