What does the Bible say about support?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that God strengthens His people through faithful fellowship, humble service, patient correction, and confidence in His preserving grace. Ecclesiastes 4:12 celebrates the strength found when believers stand together, while Acts 20:35 calls Christians to support others through generous, self-giving love. The church is to uphold the weak, encourage the fainthearted, and patiently help all, as 1 Thessalonians 5:14 teaches. This care rests ultimately on God’s faithfulness: Philippians 1:6 assures believers that the Lord will complete the good work He began. Elders especially are called to shepherd willingly and humbly, according to 1 Peter 5:1-5, and Christians should seek to restore those who wander, as James 5:19-20 urges.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Ecclesiastes 4:12

    If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

  • Acts 20:35

    In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:14

    We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

  • Philippians 1:6

    being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

  • John 12:34

    The multitude answered him, "We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up?' Who is this Son of Man?"

  • 1 Peter 5:1-5

    [1] I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed. [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. [4] When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away. [5] Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

  • James 5:19-20

    [19] Brothers, if any among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, [20] let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.

  • Romans 7:20

    But if what I don't desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.

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