What does the Bible say about the cost of discipleship?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that following Christ requires wholehearted allegiance, self-denial, and a willingness to surrender every rival claim, yet it leads to the surpassing joy of knowing him. In Luke 14:25-33 and Luke 9:23-26, Jesus calls disciples to take up their cross daily, count the cost, and love him above family, possessions, comfort, and even life itself. This costly obedience is not a way to earn salvation, but the grateful response of those redeemed by grace. Romans 12:1-2 describes such discipleship as offering ourselves to God and being renewed in mind. Though believers face trouble, John 16:33 promises Christ's overcoming peace, and Philippians 3:7-8 declares that gaining Christ outweighs every loss.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Luke 14:25-33 5 votes
Now great multitudes were going with him. He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross and come after me, can’t be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation and isn’t able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an envoy and asks for conditions of peace. So therefore, whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple.
- Luke 9:23 5 votes
He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
- Luke 14:26 4 votes
“If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple.
- Luke 9:23-26 3 votes
He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self? For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
- Luke 14:33 3 votes
So therefore, whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple.
- Matthew 10:37 3 votes
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.
- Romans 12:1-2 2 votes
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
- John 16:33 2 votes
I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
- Philippians 3:7-8 2 votes
However, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ. Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
- Philippians 1:21 2 votes
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
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