100 Bible Verses about Church Leadership

Here are 100 Bible verses about church leadership, curated from both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible, King James Version, arranged from most to least relevant.

Hebrews 13:17 KJV

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:7 KJV

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Acts 20:28 KJV

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1 Timothy 5:17 KJV

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 3:2 KJV

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Galatians 6:9 KJV

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9 KJV Image

James 3:1 KJV

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Proverbs 4:23 KJV

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Matthew 20:26 KJV

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

Philippians 2:3 KJV

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Philippians 2:3 KJV Image

Titus 1:7 KJV

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Titus 1:7 KJV Image

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV Image

John 3:30 KJV

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Isaiah 41:10 KJV

10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10 KJV Image

Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: …

Acts 14:23 KJV

23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 KJV

1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, …

1 Peter 5:3 KJV

3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.

Psalm 78:72 KJV

72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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Titus 1:5 KJV

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Philippians 2:4 KJV

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Philippians 2:4 KJV Image

Philippians 4:13 KJV

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13 KJV Image

Romans 8:28 KJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 KJV Image

1 Timothy 3:1 KJV

1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

James 4:10 KJV

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4:10 KJV Image

2 Timothy 2:2 KJV

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Luke 6:31 KJV

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Luke 6:31 KJV Image

1 Peter 5:2 KJV

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

1 Timothy 3:8-13 KJV

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. …

Matthew 7:12 KJV

12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Exodus 18:21 KJV

21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

Ephesians 4:11 KJV

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Proverbs 11:14 KJV

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

1 Peter 5:1-4 KJV

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. …

1 Timothy 3:1-16 KJV

1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, …

James 1:12 KJV

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:12 KJV Image

Matthew 16:18 KJV

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

John 13:13-17 KJV

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent …

Titus 1:5-9 KJV

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to …

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 KJV

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Matthew 28:18-20 KJV

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 10:42-45 KJV

42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. …

Acts 6:1-15 KJV

1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men …

1 Timothy 4:8 KJV

8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

1 Timothy 4:8 KJV Image

Acts 20:17 KJV

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Proverbs 29:2 KJV

2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Revelation 1:1 KJV

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Proverbs 16:12 KJV

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

Titus 1:6 KJV

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

Titus 1:6 KJV Image

Titus 1:9 KJV

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Proverbs 22:29 KJV

29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV Image

Colossians 3:17 KJV

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

1 Timothy 3:1-2 KJV

1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Psalm 37:5 KJV

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:5 KJV Image

Luke 22:26 KJV

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

Hebrews 13:24 KJV

24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

1 Timothy 3:5 KJV

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Matthew 20:25-27 KJV

25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

1 Timothy 4:2 KJV

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Jeremiah 1:5 KJV

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Jeremiah 1:5 KJV Image

James 1:5 KJV

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:5 KJV Image

Acts 15:22 KJV

22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

1 Timothy 3:12 KJV

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 KJV

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Matthew 5:37 KJV

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

1 Timothy 4:16 KJV

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

1 Peter 5:5 KJV

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Proverbs 24:10 KJV

10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

James 4:17 KJV

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

James 4:17 KJV Image

Acts 6:3 KJV

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Romans 12:3-8 KJV

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. …

Luke 12:48 KJV

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Proverbs 27:23-24 KJV

23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. 24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

Ezekiel 34:1-31 KJV

1 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. …

Galatians 6:1-2 KJV

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Philippians 1:1 KJV

1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Luke 18:27 KJV

27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Acts 17:11 KJV

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

John 3:16-17 KJV

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Philippians 3:17 KJV

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Matthew 24:45-47 KJV

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Jeremiah 33:3 KJV

3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 33:3 KJV Image

1 Timothy 3:3 KJV

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

Philippians 1:6 KJV

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippians 1:6 KJV Image

Psalm 32:8 KJV

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Philippians 2:13 KJV

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

1 Timothy 3:8 KJV

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

1 Timothy 3:15 KJV

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1 Peter 5:7 KJV

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5:7 KJV Image

Proverbs 29:14 KJV

14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

1 Timothy 2:1-15 KJV

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto …

Philippians 4:19 KJV

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 KJV Image

Revelation 11:1-19 KJV

1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall …

1 Timothy 4:1-16 KJV

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. …

Proverbs 31:8-9 KJV

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.