Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the British woman whose neighbor commented on her garden, “My, what a lovely flower garden God has given you!” She replied, “I don’t mean to sound boastful, but you should have seen this flower garden when God had it all by Himself!”

That funny little story is actually an illustration of a big theological issue that challenges us all. We all know that God is working to accomplish His will, but we also know that human beings have a part to play in many outcomes both temporal and eternal. In the case of the British gardener, she knew that only God can turn a seed into a beautiful flowering plant. That being said, she also realized that, unless she strategically planted flower seeds, kept them watered, and periodically pulled weeds, the outcome would be an ugly mess. She knew what God was responsible for and what she was responsible for. In the end, both could rightfully take some credit for the outcome—although God’s contribution was certainly much more impressive than hers!

Christians often struggle trying to find the dividing line between divine and human responsibility. What is our job and what is God’s job? None of us wants to make a wrong assumption, but still, opinions vary. Although we are all reading from the same Bible, many theological debates revolve around this issue, and two words often surface within those debates. They are grace and works—two words that stand in contrast.

How do they differ?

Grace is generally associated with unmerited favor, while works are generally associated with merited favor.[1]

Another way of comparing grace and works—from a biblical perspective—is that the former is what God does and the latter is what we do in response to what God has done.

The New Testament contrasts salvation by grace and salvation by works in three passages, all penned by Paul. Here they are:

But if it [salvation] is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace (Rom. 11:6, emphasis added).

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph. 2:8-9, emphasis added).

…who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity (2 Tim. 1:9, emphasis added).

In all three passages, Paul affirmed that we are saved by grace and not by works. That is not up for debate, and all true Christians agree on it.

Because salvation, however, is by grace and not as a result of works, is it safe to assume that works are of no importance to God? Surely you know the answer to that question. Anyone who reads the Old Testament, the Gospels, or the New Testament epistles knows that God deeply cares about what we do. One would have to be completely ignorant of the Bible to think that God’s grace somehow mitigates the importance of our works to God. And in fact, if we read—in their entirety—the three epistles from which I just quoted passages that so strongly advocate salvation by grace, we discover a great deal of emphasis on works.

A Brief Look at Those Three Grace/Works Passages

Let’s look at all three passages briefly to begin to sort out God’s perspective on grace and works:

(1.) Eph. 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

The very next verse in this passage says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph. 2:10, emphasis added). So how important to God are our works? He created us in Christ for good works. And He was planning and preparing those good works even before we were His children. Is it any wonder then that He now expects us to “walk in” those good works? According to Ephesians 2:8-10, we can safely say that God has saved us by grace, at least in part, to do good works.

(2.) 2 Tim. 1:9: “…who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”

Did you notice that, just before Paul contrasted salvation by works and grace, he declared that God called us “with a holy calling”? That is, He called us to be holy which, for all sinners, begins with repentance and then continues with good works. The Amplified Version renders 2 Tim. 1:9: “…for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose].”

Clearly, by extending grace to sinners, God is not offering them a license to continue sinning with impunity. Rather, He is offering them an opportunity to turn away from sin, be forgiven, and live a holy life from then on. That is His gracious calling.

Make no mistake: God didn’t have to call us. He could have left us alone and eventually punished us for our sins. He didn’t have to offer us the opportunity to be forgiven. But He did! And that was an expression of His amazing grace.

Paul elaborated on that same gracious calling in his letter to Titus:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds (Tit. 2:11-14).

There you have it. God extends His grace to make us holy.

(3.) Romans 11:6: “But if it [salvation] is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”

Paul clearly stated that the basis of salvation cannot be works if the basis is grace. It has to be one or the other. That being said, Paul wrote just a few chapters earlier—in the very same letter—that grace affects people’s behavior. God’s grace is the basis of a salvation that results in works:

Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?…. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?…. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:1-2, 14-16, 22-23, emphasis added).

It is beyond the scope of our discussion to consider everything Paul wrote in the 6^th chapter of Romans. I only wanted you to see, once again, that God’s grace does not offer anyone a license to sin, but rather, it offers freedom from sin’s enslavement. That is part of the “salvation package” that is not earned or merited, but granted by God’s grace, and it is thus a free gift. It is not “salvation by works” but “salvation unto works.” And if you read the entire 6^th chapter of Romans, it is clear that we have a part to play in our holiness. Although God has set us free from sin, we must “not let sin reign in [our] mortal body so that [we] obey its lusts” (Rom. 6:12). So God, by His grace, plays a part in our holiness, but so do we. It is important to understand that balance.

All of this is to say that, although grace and works may stand in contrast to each other like black and white, they are certainly not mutually exclusive, like wet and dry or good and evil. I hope you’ve seen from the scriptures we’ve already considered that God intends that His grace towards people will result in their holiness and obedience. That is the first biblical truth every Christian needs to grasp regarding grace and works.

If you continue reading, you will soon see that God relates to everyone on the basis of both grace and works. In some cases, His favor is unmerited, and in other cases it is merited. That is also an inescapable biblical truth. It is not up for debate. Keep reading!

The Great Rewarder

Just because God offers salvation by grace does not mean that He never offers other blessings because of works. Scripture declares that “He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). Seeking God is something people do or don’t do. God rewards those who seek Him, and only those who seek Him. He rewards them, not because of His grace, but because of their works.

Here’s a specific example: Jesus told His followers, “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:6, emphasis added). God’s reward is given to those who deserve it. It is merited favor. There is no reason to expect the reward for secret prayer unless you pray secretly.

The truth that God rewards good behavior, “works,” is affirmed in hundreds, if not thousands, of Old and New Testament scriptures. In the New Testament, we can start at the beginning with Matthew’s rendition of Jesus’ Beatitudes, all of which are promises of future rewards (Jesus used that very word in Matthew 5:11) for certain praiseworthy behaviors (see Matt. 5:3-11). And we can end in Revelation, where Jesus promised specific rewards to people in seven churches if they would “overcome” (see Rev. 2:7-3:21). Those are both examples of God relating to people on the basis of merit, rather than grace. No one can intelligently claim otherwise.

Of course, any and all people who receive any benefit from God on the basis of merit/works have also tasted of His marvelous grace—since we’ve all sinned. Again, God relates to people both by grace and works. More specifically, God relates to you on the basis of both, which is why it is so important to understand Scripture’s balance on the subject. We can over-emphasize grace at the expense of under-emphasizing works, and we can over-emphasize works at the expense of under-emphasizing grace. There are ditches on both sides of the road. We need to walk down the middle.

Six “Works” Scriptures

Between Romans and Revelation, there are many scriptures that affirm the fact that God does not relate to us purely through grace, but also through our works, whether we deserve reward or penalty. I’ve compiled an initial sampling of six scriptures below, all from the New Testament epistles (and not from any of the Gospels, only because some mistakenly claim that only in the epistles is new covenant grace revealed). Please read them carefully and honestly:

1.) Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:9-10).

All true Christians have an ambition to be pleasing to God. And why? One reason is because “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” What will happen there?  We will be “recompensed for [our] deeds…according to what [we have] done, whether good or bad.”

We can debate if Paul was thinking of Christians or non-Christians when he mentioned that Jesus will recompense those who have done “bad” (or “evil” as some translations say). Regardless, at Christ’s judgment seat, He will relate to believers on the basis of works, not grace. So, although salvation is granted by grace, heavenly rewards are based on our works.

I cannot resist saying that, no matter how much some preachers emphasize or over-emphasize the grace of God, I have yet to hear one who denies that merit is the basis of Christ’s judgment seat. So, whether they can admit it or not, they believe that God does not relate to us purely on the basis of grace, but also on the basis of works. And although the judgment seat of Christ is a future event for us, it is based on works we’ve done all of our Christian lives. So it is foolish to claim that “God only relates to us based on our works in the future.”

Jesus certainly affirmed this same truth when He declared, “For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matt. 16:27). That is merit. Jesus said those words to His closest disciples (see Matt. 16:21-17:1). If they had application to Peter, James and John, it is safe to assume that they have application to you and me.

Here is more proof that God relates to us by our works, not just in the future, but right now:

2.) You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered (1 Pet. 3:7, emphasis added).

3.) The one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
He must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil (1 Pet. 3:10-12, emphasis added).

4.) Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight (John 3:21-22, emphasis added).

All three of the above scriptures affirm that holiness has something to do with having our prayers answered. That is merit, not grace. Again, God is relating to us, not just through grace, but also by our works.

5.) For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world (1 Cor. 11:29-32, emphasis added).

Because some of the Corinthian Christians would not judge themselves “rightly,” God judged/disciplined them for their unrepentant sin, and some suffered sickness and even premature death. That is another unmistakable endorsement of the fact that God does not relate to Christians purely by grace, but in part, based on their works.[2]

6.) But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does (Jas. 1:25, emphasis added).

If the “perfect law, the law of liberty” is the same as the “royal law” that James later identifies as God’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves (see Jas. 2:8-12), then James believed that God blesses those who obey the second-greatest commandment. Once again, although God saves us by His grace, He also relates to us, at least to some degree, based on merit. There are things we can do to attract or repel His blessings.

A So-Far Summary

Based on the scriptures we’ve already considered, I hope you agree with these three biblical truths:

1.) God is deeply concerned about our behavior. He wants us to obey Him in everything. He desires that His will would be done on earth as it is in heaven.

2.) God extends His grace to sinners with the intention that it will result in their repentance and ongoing holiness and obedience. His grace should result in works. It is not a license to continue in sin.

3.) God relates to us by both grace and works. Salvation is by grace, but temporal blessings and future rewards (as well as temporal discipline and future loss of rewards) are based on our works. Some of God’s favor towards us is unmerited, and some is merited.

With that foundation, let’s dig deeper into Scripture in our quest to arrive at a biblically-balanced understanding regarding how God relates to us both through grace and works. At the same time, let’s try to better understand what is God’s part and what is our part in our relationship with Him and in our salvation. The following diagram should help us see that there is a spectrum of belief among Christians on these issues, with extremes at both ends.

Note that on the far left is the most extreme view of grace within professing Christendom, which I have labeled “Universalism.” Universalists believe that everyone will be saved in the end, so obviously, works have zero to do with it. One’s behavior is irrelevant. It is “all grace.” Adolph Hitler, Universalists believe, will be in heaven, a forgiven, born-again believer, a trophy of God’s grace.

On the far right is the most extreme opposite view of grace within professing Christendom, which I have labeled “Legalism.” For legalists, salvation is something to be earned, so grace has nothing to do with it. It is “all works.” If Jesus has any part of it, it is only that He set an example of obedience that serves to spur us on to work our way into heaven.

So, on the far left is “hyper grace” without a speck of works mixed in and on the far right is “hyper works” without a speck of grace mixed in. The biblical balance is somewhere in the middle, as we will soon see. I suspect that most readers will not identify with either end of the spectrum, which likely puts you somewhere in between on the “Grace Spectrum.”

Far-Left Grace

Let’s suppose that, although you are not a universalist, you do lean towards the left of my diagram. Since you don’t believe that everyone will ultimately be saved, you must believe that there is something, or someone, who determines who is saved in the end and who is not. You therefore believe that salvation is conditional, because not everyone will be saved, thus not everyone will meet the conditions.

Of course, all Christians would agree that the saved are characterized by faith, whereas the unsaved are characterized by unbelief. The condition of salvation is faith. But why do some have faith and others do not? Some say that people’s faith is sovereignly determined by God. He either gives you faith, or He does not. If believers bear responsibility to believe, in full or part, then no longer is salvation by grace they say, because humans play a part in their salvation, and that would be “salvation by works.”

But is that sound logic? More importantly, is it biblical?

Calvinist/Reformed Christians hold to this view. They believe that in eternity past God pre-selected who would be saved, and His selection of them was not due to any virtue He foresaw in them. It is a mystery why He chose some and not others. He could just as well have chosen a completely different set of people for salvation. Moreover, Jesus only died for the pre-selected. God also preplanned to zap the pre-selected ones with “irresistible grace” at a pre-selected time in each of their lives, which would cause them to be born again and have faith in Jesus. Those predestined, grace-zapped folks cannot not be saved. And there is no chance that any of the non-preselected might respond in a positive way if they hear the gospel, because all people are totally depraved and would reject the gospel unless they are zapped with irresistible grace. Finally, because salvation is “all grace,” those whom God chose and gave faith will continue to believe until death or Jesus’ return, and they will continue to bear the fruit of obedience (the evidence of faith). So there is no possibility that they might forfeit salvation. Any who appear to be saved but who backslide were really not saved in the first place, and it is because God didn’t select them for salvation.

Calvinist/Reformed Christians refer to their five doctrinal pillars (all mentioned in the above paragraph) as “the doctrines of grace,” because they believe that only their doctrines meet the litmus test of pure grace. Any doctrines that are contrary to theirs spill into “salvation by works.”

Take a look now at my revised diagram:

In regard to their conception of grace in salvation, Calvinist/Reformed Christians come close to the Universalist conception, because they, like Universalists, believe salvation is solely due to God’s sovereign selection.[3] For that reason, I have located them on the far left of my diagram.

The trouble is, there are scores of clear scriptures that contradict all five of Calvinism’s cardinal doctrines. In order to preserve their view, Calvinists must redefine words, twist the plain meaning of many clear scriptures, and awkwardly interpret numerous passages.

A More Biblically-Balanced Option

If you don’t hold to the Calvinist view of faith, then you likely believe the multitude of scriptures that plainly indicate that (1) people are free moral agents who have something to do with their faith (or unbelief), and (2) people who believe have something to do with continuing to believe. Therefore, you must reconcile your view with the biblical fact that salvation is by grace. Again, you believe that people play some role in their salvation. You must therefore, of necessity, adopt some view of grace that allows for requiring a human response.

So can grace still be grace if it is conditioned upon a human response?

Yes, of course it can. The example I often use is of the speeding motorist who is pulled over by a policeman who, rather than issuing a speeding fine, issues only a warning. That is an example of “undeserved favor.” The lawbreaking motorist was “saved (from a fine) by grace.” If, however, upon being permitted to return to the highway, the motorist spins his tires and quickly accelerates to 100 miles per hour, he will soon discover that the grace he was granted was conditional. The same policeman who showed him grace minutes before will have no hesitation reversing his former grace. That is an example of conditional grace.

Here’s a biblical example of conditional grace right from the lips of Jesus:

For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, “Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.” And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, “Pay back what you owe.” So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, “Have patience with me and I will repay you.” But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord said to him, “You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?” And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart (Matt. 18:23-35).

Who would argue that the king’s forgiveness of his slave’s insurmountable debt was not an act of pure grace? It was a grant of undeserved, unmerited favor. But the king expected his forgiven slave to forgive others. And when his slave didn’t forgive a fellow slave who owed a much smaller debt, the king reversed his former act of grace and treated his slave as he deserved, according to his deeds. That slave lost the grace he’d once gained. So the king’s grace was conditional.

Does Jesus’ Parable of the Unforgiving Servant have any application to us? It certainly did to Jesus’ disciples (see Matt. 18:1, 35). Recall that in the parable, the king reinstated his slave’s formerly-forgiven debt. And Jesus warned His disciples, “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” That is a clear warning of the danger of forfeiting grace. Jesus believed that His Father’s grace was conditional.

Did the behavioral requirement of the king in Jesus’ parable somehow nullify the fact that his initial forgiveness of his slave’s insurmountable debt was an act of grace? Certainly not. The king’s slave was saved from the king’s wrath by the king’s grace.

If that slave had forgiven his fellow slave of his debt, could he then have boasted that he earned the king’s forgiveness and saved himself by his works, rather than by the grace of the king? Of course not. Had he forgiven his fellow slave, that would have only made him a slave who was saved by grace and who extended a relatively small amount of grace by comparison to a fellow slave.

All of this is to say, the idea that any behavioral requirement by God somehow nullifies His grace in salvation is patently false. Even if we never sin again after God saves us (I’m still waiting to meet that Christian!), we would have no warrant to boast that we saved ourselves by our works. Sinners can only be saved through grace.

The True Grace of God in Salvation

God graciously forgives us of all our sins. Then He gives us the marvelous gift of His indwelling Holy Spirit. Then He expects better behavior from then on. If and when we fail, His grace only waits for our humble confession (see 1 John 1:9).

All of this is to say that anyone who declares or implies that conditional grace is not grace is dead wrong. “God gives grace to the humble” (Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). That is, God gives grace to those who meet His condition of humility.

Similarly, anyone who says that a behavioral requirement nullifies grace is also wrong. The same apostle (Paul) who wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9) wrote in the very same letter to the very same Christians, “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints…. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (Eph. 5:3-5, emphasis added).

Those two passages in the same letter cannot be contradictory. Together, they prove that people whom God saves by grace can disinherit themselves from His kingdom if they become immoral or covetous (the latter of which is a form of idolatry).

Of course, any Christian who disinherits himself through immorality or covetousness can be restored through confession and repentance (see 1 John 1:9). But my point is that God saves people through a conditional grace, which is why I have added “Conditional Grace” right in the middle of my diagram, as it represents the scriptural balance on the Spectrum of Grace:

The proof that God’s grace in salvation is conditional can be found in the most-often-cited passage of Scripture that is used to prove that salvation is by grace and not works, Ephesians 2:8-9:

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (emphasis added).

Paul lists two components of salvation: grace and faith. Grace is God’s part; faith is our part. Faith is God’s condition for salvation.[4] That is why we proclaim the gospel, hoping that people will meet God’s condition by believing and be saved. So, receiving the benefit of God’s grace is conditioned upon our faith. That is indisputable, and that means God’s saving grace is conditional from the start. And the condition never expires. Believers must keep on believing, which is why there is so much encouragement to believers in the New Testament epistles to persevere in faith.

I am aware that some Christians believe that once you are saved that guarantees you will always be saved, and they often claim that to say otherwise is to advocate “salvation by works.” But that is simply not true. Think of how illogical it is. Everyone agrees that salvation is conditioned upon faith. So, if people are to be saved, they must have faith. That is something they must do. So is that “salvation by works”? If not, then how can continuing to believe be “salvation by works”?

Moreover, there are scores of scriptures that, if read honestly, make it plain that salvation is conditioned upon “continuing in faith.” Here’s one:

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard (Col. 1:21-23).

It could not be clearer.

And there is nothing about the nature of faith that makes it permanent. Recall Peter’s walk on the water. He succeeded for as long as he continued to believe. But when he doubted, he sank. His faith was temporary. Jesus said in His Parable of the Sower and the Soils that some people “believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away” (Luke 8:13). Was Jesus mistaken about that?

Here’s another clear scripture about the necessity of continuing in faith for salvation:

Quite right, they [unbelieving Jews] were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off (Rom. 11:20-22, emphasis added).

Again, how much plainer could it be?

Here’s another one, written to suffering, persecuted, Hebrew believers who were being pressured to abandon their faith in Jesus and return to Judaism:

But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

“For yet in a very little while,
He who is coming will come, and will not delay.
But my righteous one shall live by faith;
And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul (Heb. 10:32-39, emphasis added).

Here are three more:

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain (1 Cor.15:1-2, emphasis added).

But Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end (Heb. 3:6, emphasis added).

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end (Heb.3:12-14, emphasis added).

Continuing in Obedience

Because saving grace is conditioned upon continued faith, it is also conditioned on continued obedience, since obedience is the evidence of faith, and “faith without works” is dead, useless, and cannot save (see Jas. 2:14-17). There are scores of scriptures in the New Testament epistles[5] that affirm this fact. Here’s one from the pen of Paul, a very strong advocate of salvation by grace:

Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren. Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:7-10, emphasis added).

Certain especially-grievous behaviors prevent people from “inheriting God’s kingdom” (a clear reference to being saved ultimately; see Matt. 25:34; 1 Cor. 15:50). One of them is “swindling,” of which some of the Corinthian believers were guilty, having defrauded their fellow believers. Paul was warning them of disinheriting themselves from God’s kingdom.

He wrote similar words to the Galatian Christians:

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God…. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:19-21, 24).

According to Paul, this was not the first time he had warned the Galatian believers about the potential dire consequences of “yielding to the flesh,” something that is obviously possible for any Christian to do since we all still possess free wills. And the warning we’ve just read is found in a letter in which Paul focused primarily on defending the truth of “justification by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law” (Gal. 2:16) because false teachers were convincing the Gentile Galatian believers that they were not saved unless they were circumcised and keeping ritualistic aspects of the Mosaic Law (see Gal. 4:9-10). Obviously, in light of the passage we’ve just read, Paul believed that God’s grace is conditional, but it is not conditioned upon keeping ritualistic laws of the old covenant, but upon moral principles that are written on every human conscience and buttressed by the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer.

When I hear preachers confidently claim that the Bible teaches “once saved always saved,” I wonder if their Bibles include the New Testament. There are scores of New Testament scriptures that clearly say, or at least imply, that it is possible for genuine believers to ultimately forfeit salvation. If you want to investigate some of them for yourself, here is an incomplete list: Matt. 18:21-35; 24:4-5, 11-13, 23-26, 42-51; 25:1-30; Luke 8:11-15; 11:24-26; 12:42-46; John 8:51; 15:1-6; Acts 11:21-23; 14:21-22; Rom. 6:11-23; 8:12-14; 11:20-22; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 9:23-27; 10:1-21; 15:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:2-4; 12:21-13:5; Gal. 5:1-4, 19-21; 6:7-9; Eph. 5:3-5; Phil. 2:12-16; 3:17-4:1; Col. 1:21-23; 2:4-8, 18-19; 1 Thes. 3:1-8; 1 Tim. 1:8-20; 4:1-16; 5:5-6, 11-15, 6:9-12, 17-19, 20-21; 2 Tim. 2:11-18; Heb. 2:1-3; 3:6-19; 4:1-16; 5:8-9; 6:4-20; 10:19-39; 12:1-17, 25-29; Jas. 1:12-16; 4:4-10; 5:19-20; 2 Pet. 1:5-11; 2:1-22; 3:16-17; 1 John 2:15-2:28; 5:16; 2 John 6-9; Jude 20-21; Rev. 2:7, 10-11, 17-26; 3:4-5, 8-12, 14-22; 21:7-8; 22:18-19.

I am certainly aware of the various proof-texts that are used to defend the idea of “unconditional eternal security,” but they must be harmonized with all the scriptures I’ve just listed, because they are in the same Bible.

Perhaps the most often-cited passage used to prove unconditional eternal security is John 10:27-28:

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

That is a wonderful promise. But it isn’t an unconditional promise. It’s a conditional promise. It is only for Jesus’ “sheep.” And Jesus defined who “His sheep” are in this very passage. His sheep do two things: They “hear His voice” and “they follow Him.” That means they obey. And they, and only they, never have to worry that they will perish or that anyone might snatch them away.

John 10:27-28 doesn’t support “unconditional eternal security. On the contrary, it supports “conditional eternal security.” You can’t claim the promise there just because you attend a church where the pastor says you are one of Jesus’ sheep because you once prayed a little prayer to “accept Jesus as your personal Savior.” You are only one of Jesus’ sheep if you follow Him.

Beyond their proof-texts, advocates of unconditional eternal security rely on “logic,” such as, “If we have become God’s children, how can we become not God’s children?”

That “logic” doesn’t nullify the scores of New Testament scriptures that warn believers of the potential of forfeiting their salvation. And we could just as easily use the same kind of “logic” and argue that God must have a wife, because “How can God be our spiritual Father unless we also have a spiritual mother?” “Logic” that contradicts Scripture can take you into strange doctrines.

One of the most absurd lines of “logic” is often expressed by the question, “If God has given us eternal life, it is eternal, so it can’t ever be forfeited!” Such folks are mistaking the nature of the gift with the duration of the gift. If I handed you an “eternal banana,” the fact that the banana will never rot does not mean I can’t take it back from you at any future time.

The Brutal Reality

The truth that ultimate salvation hinges on continued faith and obedience so permeates the New Testament that denying it requires either gross ignorance or a degree of dishonesty that should make those who preach “unconditional eternal security” tremble when they read God’s words in Revelation 21:8:

But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (emphasis added).

Take note that God, who saves people by grace, declared that certain sinful behaviors mark people as hell-bound, and liars are on God’s list. Do you suppose that preachers who lie about God’s grace, telling people that it guarantees their ultimate salvation no matter how they live, are exempt?

Preachers who promote “once-saved-always-saved” don’t just “muddy the waters.” They poison the drinking water. They “turn the grace of God into licentiousness,” and in so doing actually “deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 4, emphasis added). Yet, tragically, believing their own lies, they are confident that they are “safe in God’ grace,” and they assure their flesh-indulging congregations of the same.

If you understand the biblical truth on the matter, you may be grieved (like me) by those who proclaim a false, unbiblical grace, but you should not be surprised. Paul warned 2,000 years ago that “evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13, emphasis added). We are living in a day of gross deception in many churches.

Take a look at my further-revised diagram below, where I have added another designated spot on the Spectrum of Grace. Note that I’ve put “Once-Saved-Always-Saved” left of center, because like Universalism and Calvinism, it is also leans away from balanced, biblical grace towards license to sin. It gives God responsibility that He gives to people.

Note again that “Conditional Grace” is directly in the center, as it represents the biblically-balanced view of grace. Note also that I’ve added a scripture reference with that designation, Philippians 2:12-13, which beautifully illustrates biblically-balanced conditional grace:

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Unless you believe in biblically-balanced, conditional grace, you are going to have to twist what Paul plainly said in that passage in order to make it fit your theology. And, wow, do theologians ever twist that passage, some even going so far as to claim that the word “salvation” found in it does not refer to what “salvation” means in most other New Testament passages.

But let’s read it honestly, since we are supposed to be honest as followers of Christ.

Paul starts by talking about the Philippian believers’ obedience, and he immediately connects their continued obedience to their salvation, which he tells them to “work out…with fear and trembling.” So that is something that is their responsibility. They were already saved, but they still must “work out their salvation with fear and trembling,” which makes it crystal clear that Paul did not believe that they were “unconditionally eternally secure” in their salvation. No, they should take very seriously the fact that God’s grace is conditional, and thus be “fearful and trembling” about what could potentially happen if they stop meeting His conditions. Paul believed all the things that I’ve already quoted him as saying regarding the necessity of continuing in faith and obedience. Thus the reason for his admonition to the Philippians.

However, although the Philippians had responsibility to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling,” they were not left to their own willpower by any stretch of the imagination. God was “at work within them” by His indwelling Holy Spirit, leading them in the paths of righteousness and empowering them to be victorious over temptation. His goal is that they would please Him by their obedience. If they stumbled, He was right there with them to pick them back up, forgive them, and restore them by His marvelous grace. They only needed to make a confession (see 1 John 1:9).

So we see in Philippians 2:12-13 an illustration of biblically-balanced, conditional grace in salvation. Philippians 2:12-13 does not advocate Universalism, Calvinism, or Unconditional Eternal Security. Both God in His grace, and human beings in their response to God’s grace, play a part in human salvation. That is inescapable in Philippians 2:12-13 and hundreds of other passages in the New Testament. Once you embrace biblically-balanced, conditional grace, many scriptures start making sense to you that were previously confusing because they didn’t fit your theology. For example, Hebrews 12:14:

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

The Greek word translated sanctification is “hagiasmos,” which is often translated in the New Testament as “holiness” (as it is four verses earlier in the NASB of Hebrews 12:10 in a slightly-different form—”hagiotes”). The author of Hebrews believed the Christians to whom he wrote would not see the Lord apart from the pursuit of holiness. The New Living Translation renders Hebrews 12:14: “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

Continuing to the Right…

There are, of course, other forms of false grace within the spectrum of Christendom, and I’ve added a few to the right-of-center on my diagram. Take a look:

There are those segments within Christendom that understand something about God’s conditional grace, but they’ve added conditions that aren’t found in the New Testament. Those added conditions are often emphasized so much that the gospel is completely forgotten, and all that is left is a culture of people who all outwardly conform to a set of manmade standards. Even more tragic is that, while they keep their manmade standards, they often transgress God’s standards. Case in point is the Amish young man who, after a Sunday-evening church gathering, dutifully drives his modestly-attired girlfriend home in his horse-drawn buggy (and not a “worldly” car), only to have sex with her along the way or in her parents’ home!

So-called “holiness churches” within Protestantism are sometimes full of judgmental, self-righteous people who attempt to maintain a façade of righteousness by how they dress and worship. That thin veneer may be just a cover for unregenerate hearts, and when it does, we can’t help but think of the Pharisees whom Jesus condemned, saying to them, “You are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matt. 23:27).

Such folks need to be truly born again and start following Jesus rather than trying to conform to manmade standards. Once they do, they will no longer be repeating the cycle of “getting saved again every Sunday,” while hoping they won’t backslide by yielding to the temptation to not wear their hair in beehive buns before next Sunday.

“Ordnung Faiths,” which I have also added right-of-center on my diagram, would include the Amish, Hutterites and Mennonites who have added hundreds of standards (the “Ordnung”) that can’t be found in the New Testament and who require 100% conformity from their members. Having some experience in ministry to them, I’ve discovered both regenerate and unregenerate people within their ranks. The regenerate ones understand that their Ordnung is not a means to salvation, but rather consider it to be an aid to keeping the Law of Christ (which is debatable in my opinion). The unregenerate among them outwardly conform to the Ordnung to maintain social acceptability, but they often secretly transgress God’s commandments. They, too, need to be genuinely born again.

Folks who do come to a genuine faith in Jesus among the “Holiness” and “Ordnung Faiths” often require significant time to renew their minds regarding God’s amazing grace since they’ve come from very legalistic cultures in which they never “measured up.” For them, having suffered for years under the load of endless striving and unbiblical guilt, a strong focus on God’s grace is healthy and transforming. For some, it takes months or even years of mediation on those parts of God’s Word that emphasize His love and grace. I encourage such folks to spend their time reading anything in the Bible that encourages them, and avoiding what might discourage them. Eventually, they are set free from their former bondage to human tradition and manmade rules, and they experience the joy of simply following Jesus.

Pointing at the Other Side

Tragically, some who are left-of-center on my diagram point to those who are right-of-center and say, “See, that is what happens to you when you cease to emphasize grace and focus on works!” And with that criticism, they justify their own unscriptural imbalance.

Similarly, some who are right-of-center on my diagram point to those who are left-of-center and say, “See, that is what happens to you when you preach a greasy grace!” And with that criticism, they justify their own unscriptural imbalance.

The truth is, Christians who avoid “cherry-picking” verses from the New Testament in order to confirm their biases, but who embrace every passage, end up being as balanced as the New Testament is. And they avoid both extremes of my diagram, ending up right in the center.

And because they follow Jesus and sincerely strive to obey His commandments, they possess a genuine assurance of salvation—in stark contrast to the false assurance possessed by those on the left and the elusive assurance sought by those on the right. Those who know that salvation is conditional because God’s grace is conditional know also that assurance of salvation is conditional. It is only for those who obey. How could anyone who is not obeying Jesus possibly possess genuine assurance of salvation after reading His words, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21, emphasis added)?

And for those who make the erroneous claim that Jesus’ words have no application to believers under the new covenant of grace, here’s a passage from the epistles that echoes the same truth:

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:3-4).[6]

A major theme of John’s first epistle is the assurance of salvation. John repeatedly mentions three tests whereby one can ascertain if he is truly born again. Truly born-again people believe in Jesus, they love one another sacrificially, and they obey the Lord’s commandments. Only those people can and do possess genuine assurance of salvation.

When Lefties Pull Out the “Legalist” and “Pharisee” Cards

Again, tragically, those on the left are often quick to label anyone to the right of them—including those at the center of my diagram—as “legalists. In fact, anyone who advocates holiness to any degree is at risk of being so labeled, and they might also find themselves being called a Pharisee.

Some of the nastiest professing Christians I’ve encountered regularly use those terms to label those of us who are “pursuing the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14) and “striving to enter through the narrow gate that leads to life” (Matt. 7:13-14). I’ve come to realize that many within Christendom who are left of center on my diagram, just like many who are right of center, are not really born again. In the case of so many on the left, they’ve never turned from sin and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Rather, they’ve been deceived by a false gospel and believe that because they’ve “accepted Jesus as Savior,” they are guaranteed eternity in heaven no matter how they live their lives, and anyone who says differently is preaching “salvation by works.”

The truth is, the Jesus in whom they allegedly believe does not exist and never has existed. They have simply carved an idol to their liking and named him “Jesus.”

And that explains how they can be so nasty towards people who love the Lord and are trying to please Him. They think they are born-again children of God, but actually they are still spiritual children of Satan. Tragically, many of the nasty people I’m describing are in “ministry.”

Legalists are those who, apart from the forgiving, transforming, empowering grace of God through the sacrificial death of Christ, are trying to merit salvation purely by their own efforts. No one who embraces biblically-balanced, conditional grace is a legalist. We are only continuing to respond in faith to the grace by which we have been saved. We are “holding fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end” (Heb. 3:6). We continue to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, so we continue to obey Him. It is that simple.

Anyone who refers to us as legalists and Pharisees not only reveals their ignorance about legalism and the Pharisees, they expose their own unregenerate spiritual state. ^“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death” (1 John 3:14).

Paul’s Gospel

Although a book could be written on this subject (because of all the scriptural evidence that supports it), allow me to close with a passage of scripture penned by Paul in a letter that is all about the gospel of salvation by grace through faith, his letter to the Romans:

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His [God’s] kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God (Rom. 2:4-11, emphasis added).

This passage in Romans begins with an emphasis on God’s grace, expressed through “His kindness and tolerance and patience.” Sinners deserve judgment, but God restrains His wrath for a time, hoping they will repent. That’s grace. That is undeserved favor.

Some of those, to whom God extends grace, repent. Those repentant ones then (of course) start doing good. And they “persevere in doing good.” Why? Because they “seek for glory and honor and immortality.” To them, God ultimately gives eternal life. Why? Because God will render to them as He does to everyone: “according to their deeds.”

So we see, once again, that according to Paul’s gospel, God’s grace (expressed through His “kindness and tolerance and patience”) leads to human repentance and works.

Contrasted with the repentant in this passage are the unrepentant, who are “storing up wrath” for themselves. That is obviously a reference to future wrath, because God is currently extending His “kindness, tolerance and patience” towards them. Yet He will also render to them “according to their deeds,” and because they persist in doing evil, their future holds “wrath and indignation… tribulation and distress.” Sounds like hell.

The foundational principle in this passage—upon which everything else is built—is that at some point in the future, God “will render to each person according to his deeds,” whether good or evil (Rom. 2:4; see also Ps. 62:12; Prov. 24:12; Matt. 16:27). Obviously, the word “deeds” in that statement could be substituted with the word “works.” In fact, the Greek word translated “deeds” (ergon) by the NASB here in Romans 2:6 is translated “works” in many other places in the New Testament, including other passages in Romans (see Rom. 3:19, 27; 4:2, 4c; 9:10, 32; 11:6). So, God is going to render to each person according to his deeds/works, which indicates that He relates to everyone, good and evil, based upon their deeds/works. That is inescapable.

Those who believe that God will render to each person according to his deeds/works repent and start striving to please Him. And if they continue in faith they will continue to strive to please God so that they will be ready to stand before Him when He renders to them according to their deeds/works.

Those who don’t believe that God will render to them according to their deeds/works don’t repent. They continue in their sin and rebellion (often including even those who “accept Jesus as Savior”). And at their judgment, God will keep His promise. He will render to them according to their deeds/works. So they will suffer “wrath and indignation… tribulation and distress.”

That was Paul’s gospel. That is my gospel. I hope it is your gospel as well.

In Conclusion

As I previously mentioned, once you understand and embrace conditional grace, you will no longer be scratching your head on how to harmonize many Bible verses, or running to your favorite commentary to find out what certain verses “really mean.” Allow me to close with a test to show you what I mean.

Your Bible’s final chapter includes the four passages below. Can you harmonize them all with your understanding of God’s grace?

Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done (Rev. 22:12). (Hmm…does that mean we are we saved by our works?)

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying (Rev. 22:14-15). (Hmm…again, does that mean we are saved by our works?)

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost (Rev. 22:17). (Hmm…that sounds like we don’t need to worry about works…the “water of life” costs us nothing!)

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book (Rev. 22:18). (Hmm…if God threatens to take away someone’s part from the tree of life and the holy city, that would seem to indicate that the people whom He is threatening currently have a part in both…)

—David

[1] For example, Paul wrote: “To the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor [that is, undeserved], but as what is due [that is, deserved, or earned]” (Rom. 4:4).

[2] Paul also declared in this passage that God disciplined some of the Corinthian believers in order to prevent them from being “condemned along with the world.” If that means God would have had to condemn them to hell “along with the world” had He not disciplined them, then the sickness that motivated them to repent or even their premature death was certainly an expression of grace on God’s part.

[3] Keep in mind that my diagram has nothing to do with the percentage of all people who will be saved, but is only a representation of how grace is perceived across the spectrum of Christian belief. Although Universalists, on the extreme left of my diagram, believe that everyone will be saved in the end, Calvinists, whom I’ve also placed towards the far left, are much more inclined to believe that only a small percentage of people will be saved in the end.

[4] I am aware that Calvinists (and others) claim that saving faith has no human origin but that it is a gift that God sovereignly gives, but hundreds of scriptures contradict that idea. Calvinists often attempt to prove that faith is what Paul was referring to in Ephesians 2:8 when he said that it is “not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” But if you read Ephesians 2:8-9, you will see that there are only three possibilities of what Paul was referring to, and they are either grace, salvation or faith. Whichever one it is, it is described by Paul as being (1) “not of yourselves,” (2) “the gift of God,” and (3) “not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Logically, there was no reason why Paul would need to say that either faith or grace is “not a result of works.” So it is salvation that is “the gift of God,” not faith.  Elsewhere Paul wrote, “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Again, salvation is God’s gift.

[5] There are scores of such scriptures within the four Gospels as well, but I am not mentioning them only because of the erroneous and bizarre belief that Jesus’ words have no application to new covenant believers since He ministered to Jews under the old covenant.

[6] How do false-grace advocates twist this scripture to fit their doctrine? They claim that John was defining “mature Christians, those who know the Lord,” in contrast with “immature Christians who are only beginning to get acquainted with Him.” Of course, that requires more twisting when they arrive at 1 John 3:1: “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” Clearly, John’s phrase “know Him” is synonymous with having a relationship with the Lord at any level of spiritual maturity.

The post The Spectrum of Grace appeared first on David Servant.

When you think about it, the phrase “gracious Lord” seems oxymoronic. A lord, by dictionary definition is: “Someone who has power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler, as in, lord of the sea, lords of the jungle, or our lord the king.” Masters and rulers exercise authority over their citizens or subjects. They expect and enforce compliance. They generally are not associated with grace. Rather, just the opposite.

Yet at least 30 times in the New Testament epistles the words “grace” and “Lord” are found in the same verse. In 13 of those verses, the grace spoken of is directly attributed to either “the Lord Jesus,” “the Lord Jesus Christ,” “our Lord,” or “our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So, it is certainly safe to say that Jesus is a gracious Lord. Praise God for that. Let’s start by considering Christ’s lordship, and then we’ll consider His grace. We’re interested, not in a lopsided understanding, but a balanced one.

What is a lord?

The concept of lordship is somewhat foreign to those of us who live in democratic societies. We expect that our leaders—whom we elect—should serve us. God’s kingdom, however, is not a democracy; it’s a theocracy. It’s a kingdom. There’s a king whom we’re supposed to serve.

The Greek word most often translated “lord” in the New Testament is kurios, which is defined in Greek lexicons as “supreme in authority.” Kurios is alternately translated in the New Testament as “God,” “Lord,” “Master,” and “Sir.”

In the ancient Greek world, kurios was used to describe a master, slave owner, or ruler. Paul’s words in Colossians 3:22 and 4:1—which contain the word kurios four times—certainly attest to that fact (read slowly):

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters [kurios] on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord [kurios]…. Masters [kurios], grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master [kurios] in heaven.

To Paul, Jesus was every bit as much lord over His followers as was any master over his slaves. Both earthly lords and our heavenly Lord are to be feared and obeyed, he said.

Jesus, who was mentioned as “Lord” more than 600 times in the New Testament, certainly viewed Himself as a master who should be obeyed. For example, He gave commandments that are perpetually binding on every generation of His followers (Matt. 28:19-21).

He told His closest disciples that they were only His friends if they did what He commanded them (John 15:14).

Their love for Him was determined by their obedience to Him. He said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

He also told them, “When you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done” (Luke 17:10, emphasis added).

Jesus once asked, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46, emphasis added). As Lord, Jesus believed He should be obeyed.

And Jesus warned of the dire consequences for not obeying Him. He compared those who don’t do what He says to people who build their house on sand. When the rain falls, the flood rises, and the wind blows, their houses will be completely destroyed (see Matt. 7:24-27).

His Lordship in the Epistles

In the 21 New Testament epistles, we find the phrase “Lord Jesus” almost 80 times. We find the phrase “our Lord” almost 70 times and “the Lord” over 200 times. There is no doubt how the authors of those epistles viewed Jesus. He was their Lord.

It is therefore no surprise that Paul, James, Peter, Jude and John all considered themselves to be “bond-servants” of Christ (Rom. 1:1; Jas. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; Jude 1; Rev. 1:1).

Neither is it any surprise that all of the early Christians also considered themselves to be Jesus’ bond-servants (Acts 4:29; Rev. 1:1; 2:20; 19:5). They knew that He had “bought them with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20), the price of His own blood (see 1 Pet. 1:18-19). Slaves are owned by their masters. Jesus’ followers know that they are “not their own” (1 Cor. 6:19).

In the book of Acts alone, Jesus is referred to as “Lord” over 100 times.

He now sits on a “glorious throne” (Matt. 25:31). One day every knee will bow before Him, and every tongue will confess that He is, not Savior, but Lord (Phil. 2:11).

When Pilate asked Jesus if He was a king, Jesus replied, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth” (John 18:37).

I should add that, in at least one sense Jesus is different than all other lords. The New Testament refers to Him three times as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16). In relationship to all other kings and lords, Jesus is King and Lord over them!

Remember, that King of kings once declared that He possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). There is no more authority than that. Recall that Paul also wrote that “there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Rom. 13:1b). And for that reason, Paul said, “every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities” (Rom. 13:1a). If we should be in subjection to governing authorities who all derive their authority from the Lord Jesus, how much more should we be in subjection to the One who grants them their authority!

It is no exaggeration to say that, if Jesus is not your Lord, the New Testament epistles have essentially no relevance to you. They were written to people whose Lord was Jesus. Which is why they are full of admonitions to obey Him. And the Gospels and Acts have very little relevance to you other than the fact that in them you will find repeated calls to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Non-Lordship Salvation?

And all of this is to say, when I hear professing Christians say that “Jesus does not need to be our Lord in order for us to be saved,” I’m left speechless. Those who make such outrageous claims usually do so in defense of “salvation by grace,” as if Jesus’ grace somehow nullifies His lordship. But they reveal that they haven’t reached the most fundamental understanding of salvation, or for that matter, of Jesus. Jesus is Lord! To reject His lordship is to reject Him. To believe in Jesus is to believe in the Lord Jesus (Acts 16:31). His amazing grace in no way diminishes His lordship or His expectation to be obeyed. It does not annul any of His commandments. It does not make Him any less “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Jesus died and rose again to be Lord:

For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living (Rom.14:9).

If Jesus is not your Lord, you have not yet believed in Jesus. You may have carved an idol whom you’ve named “Jesus.” But your idol is not the Jesus of the Bible—the Lord Jesus.

And that is why believing in Jesus always begins with repentance. Before we repent, Jesus is not our Lord. After we repent, Jesus starts to be our Lord.

And that, in a nutshell, is why so many professing Christians are no different than non-Christians. Jesus is not their Lord. And it shows. They could care less about their lost neighbors, because they are lost themselves. They don’t support any missionaries, because they need a missionary to reach them. They have no concern for the “least of these,” because they don’t really love Jesus who lives and suffers in them (Matt. 25:31-46). They spend their time and money, for the most part, just like unbelievers, because they actually are unbelievers. Their values are the same as the world’s values, because they are still of the world.

They imagine that they have “accepted Jesus as their Savior,” yet they have rejected Him as their Lord, all under the guise of “salvation by grace.” But Jesus cannot be divided. He is both “Lord and Savior.” Four times we find Him described that way, and in that order, in the New Testament. If He’s not your Lord, He’s not your Savior.

All of this is to say, if Jesus is your Lord, you are, at a minimum, striving to obey His commandments and succeeding to some degree. This is precisely why the apostle John wrote, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1John 2:3).[1] The mark of the true Christian is obedience to Jesus’ commandments.

His Grace

In light of His lordship, it is obvious that Jesus’ grace must be limited to some degree. Unlimited grace would nullify His lordship. If, for example, Jesus was offering a license to sin, that would void His lordship. How could He be Lord if He has no behavioral expectations for His servants whom He owns?

Yet many professing Christian teachers advocate that Jesus’ grace is, in fact, a license to sin. They would never say it using those words, but they say it in other words.

For example, some claim there is nothing any Christian could do that would result in the forfeiture of his or her salvation. That, clearly, is a license to sin. It is a claim that, if I as a Christian become a serial rapist and murderer, it would not affect the status of my ultimate salvation! Worse, such teachers claim that if there is any behavioral requirement for salvation, that is equivalent to advocating “salvation by works,” and nullifying “salvation by grace.”

That, however, is faulty logic. Jesus portrayed His Father as being a gracious Lord and King, but one whose grace is limited and conditional. For example, you probably remember Jesus’ Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. The king’s servant owed him an insurmountable debt. The servant begged for mercy, and the king graciously forgave his entire debt. That was pure grace on the part of the king. No one can argue against that. Yet, when his forgiven servant refused to forgive a fellow servant who owed him some money, the king became very angry. So, the king’s grace was not unlimited. He was not offering his forgiven servant a license to sin. In fact, he reversed His previous grace, reinstated his servant’s formerly-forgiven debt, and had him cast into prison until his debt was repaid. Here’s how Jesus ended that parable:

And his lord [kurios], moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart (Matt. 18:34-35).

Was Jesus warning His unforgiving servants of some temporal, earthly discipline, or was He warning of forfeiture of salvation? Keep in mind that the servant’s debt was immense. Jesus said it was 10,000 talents (Matt. 18:24). In His day, it would take a laborer fifteen years to earn just one talent. So, it seems Jesus was trying to illustrate an unpayable debt. And that debt, which was previously forgiven, was reinstated. The king’s slave was no longer forgiven of his insurmountable debt. So, are unforgiven people ultimately saved?

Moreover, the now-unforgiven servant was “handed over to the torturers until he should repay” his debt in full. How could he ever hope to repay if he was being tortured until he repaid? Again, it seems there would be no hope of repayment. For these reasons, it does not seem that Jesus was describing temporary discipline. Rather, it seems He was describing eternal forfeiture of formerly-possessed forgiveness. And that could be one reason, among others, that Christians are told in the New Testament to “fear the Lord” (see 2 Cor. 5:11; Col. 3:22; 1 Pet. 2:17). In any case, we see that grace can be conditional, and Jesus portrayed His Father’s grace as conditional.

Another Illustrative Parable

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant is not Jesus’ only parable in which He portrayed God as a gracious king, yet one whose grace is limited. In the Parable of the Wedding Feast, Jesus told a story of “a king who gave a wedding feast for his son” (Matt. 22:2). The king graciously “sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come” (Matt. 22:3).

So, the king graciously sent out a second batch of slaves to tell those who had been invited that the banquet was ready. But none paid any attention. Some even mistreated his slaves. And that marked the limit of the king’s grace. He was “enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire” (Matt. 22:7). That clearly illustrates conditional grace.

Then the king sent out his slaves a third time to graciously invite “both evil and good” until finally “the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests” (Matt. 22:10). Obviously, the implication is that the evil people in no way deserved to be invited, but they were invited anyways. Again, the amazing grace of God was illustrated by Jesus.

But that is not the end of Jesus’ story:

When the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?” And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:11-13).

Regardless of what the wedding clothes represent, for the purposes of this article I only want to point out is that Jesus clearly illustrated that God’s lavish grace is not unlimited or unconditional. The man who was cast out from the wedding feast had been graciously invited, had responded, and was enjoying the benefit of the king’s grace. But he failed to meet a condition of the king, and he forfeited the initial grace that had benefitted him. And things quickly became worse for him than they had ever been.

Clearly, the gracious king had expectations of those who had benefitted from His grace. And those who failed to meet his expectations forfeited his grace. And that was a story by Jesus, who certainly knows His Father!

Two More Illustrations of Limited Grace

You may recall that Jesus once told a crippled man whom He healed, “Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you” (John 5:14, emphasis added). Certainly, Jesus’ healing him was an expression of His grace. Jesus, however, didn’t offer the man unlimited grace by means of a license of sin. On the contrary, He warned the man of His limited grace. If the man persisted in sinning, something worse might befall him, something worse than being crippled for 38 years (as he had been; see John 5:5). It seems as if that healed man had very good reason to fear the Lord and stop sinning—as Jesus instructed him.

When Jesus graciously did not condemn the woman who was caught in the act of adultery, He said something similar to her: “From now on sin no more” (John 8:11). Unlike His instruction to the crippled man whom He healed, Jesus did not mention to her anything negative she might suffer if she continued to sin. That being said, no one can argue that Jesus did not tell her to repent. And if we consider the New Testament’s warnings regarding immorality and adultery—namely, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom (Matt. 5:27-30; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-5; Col. 3:5-6)—it would seem safe to assume that Jesus was implying to her that, if she didn’t repent, she would regret it. So, again, our gracious Lord was not extending unlimited, unconditional grace. Just the opposite.

In all four examples we’ve just considered (Jesus’ Parables of the Unforgiving Servant and Wedding Feast, His healing of the crippled man, and His forgiving the adulterous woman), God/Jesus is portrayed as granting an initial, amazing grace, but not an ongoing grace that was divorced from behavioral expectations. After he had benefitted from the grace extended by God/Jesus, the forgiven servant was expected to forgive others. The wedding guest was expected to wear certain wedding clothes. The crippled man and the adulterous woman were expected to stop sinning.

In the latter two cases—which were actual cases rather than just parables—Jesus expected a new lifestyle characterized by holiness. His instructions to those two beneficiaries of His grace were, “Do not sin anymore” and, “From now on sin no more.” How foolish it would be to think that the only sin Jesus was speaking of, for example, to the adulterous woman, was the sin of adultery. No, Jesus was calling both individuals to a full-fledged repentance.

All of this is to say, the common claim that “grace must be unconditional or else it is not grace” is proven to be false. And it is certainly foolish, as well as dangerous, to make the assumption that there is nothing we could do to forfeit the grace from God that we currently enjoy in light of all the scriptures that say otherwise. We just read four of them. Here’s one more among scores of such scriptures, and this one is found in the New Testament epistles:

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and “the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.” Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:26-30).

If we are honest with this text, it undeniably reveals that the potential exists for those who are enjoying the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice to forfeit those benefits by continuing to sin willfully. For them, “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,” which indicates that previously there was a sacrifice for their sins.

Clearly, the author (most think Paul) was writing to Christians. There are four indications within the text (not to mention scores of indications outside the text).

First, note that he wrote, “If we go on sinning willfully…” (Heb. 10:26, emphasis added). The author included himself as one who could potentially find himself among those for whom “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” Surely no one would deny that the author of Hebrews was a Christian believer.

Second, those of whom the author was writing he described as people who had “received the knowledge of the truth” (Heb. 10:26, emphasis added), not as people who had only “heard the knowledge of the truth.” Unbelievers may have heard and rejected the knowledge of the truth, but they have not received it.

Third, through ongoing, willful sin, such people “regard as unclean the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified” (Heb. 10:29, emphasis added). It cannot be said that people who have never been saved have ever been sanctified by Jesus’ blood.

Fourth, the author quotes an applicable Old Testament warning to his readers, writing that “the Lord will judge His people” (Heb. 10:30, emphasis added). The author was writing about God judging His people, not the people who never were His.

So, according to Hebrews 10:26-30, it is possible for someone who “received the knowledge of the truth” and has been “sanctified by the blood of the covenant” to find themselves facing a “terrifying judgment” in hell because they “went on sinning willfully.”

Insulting God’s Grace

Note that the author wrote that those who do, “insult the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:26, 29). Grace is mentioned in a passage that warns of hell.

That phrase, “insult the Spirit of grace” indicates that the Holy Spirit, who is involved in the extension of God’s grace to people, can be insulted. That fact alone tells us that God’s grace is not unlimited or unconditional.

And it is certainly understandable why the “Spirit of grace” would be insulted by those who continue sinning willfully after they have received the knowledge of the truth. If you extend grace to someone, how might that person insult you? Obviously, if that person takes advantage of your grace by continuing their offensive behavior that first insulted you, that could be even more insulting.

If the crippled man whom Jesus graciously healed had used his healthy legs to march into sin, it would have been insulting to Jesus and His grace. If the adulterous woman whom Jesus graciously did not condemn went back to her adulterous relationship, it would have been insulting to Jesus and His grace. Both cases would have been analogous to the citizens who ignored their king’s wedding feast invitation, to the man who didn’t wear the proper clothing at that wedding feast, and to the servant who was forgiven of his multi-million-dollar debt who then demanded a few hundred bucks owed to him by a friend. Those folks “insulted the Spirit of grace.”

Imagine that you willingly suffered a torturous death as a substitutionary payment for the sins of the world in order to save them from the hell they deserved and grant them eternal life. Then imagine someone who hears about what you’ve done but doesn’t believe it. That would certainly be insulting. Then imagine someone who hears about what you’ve done, believes it, repents, is empowered by the Holy Spirit, and obediently serves you for a while, but who then returns to their former lifestyle of sin. Might that also be insulting to you? Might not the latter insult be even more insulting than the former one? According to the scripture passage we just read, such a person “tramples under foot the Son of God, and regards as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insults the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29). Serious stuff.

Amazingly, generally speaking, God gives people from both the former and latter categories until their deaths to repent and enjoy the eternal benefits of His grace. Yet those who initially or eventually harden their hearts are trending in the wrong direction, and they may find it even easier to further harden their hearts. Perhaps that is one reason the author of Hebrews also wrote:

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end (Heb. 3:12-14, emphasis added).

Honest readers don’t ignore the obvious warning—directed at Christians—of the possibility of the forfeiture of God’s grace. Genuine believers can allow unbelief into their hearts which causes them to “fall away from the living God.” They can become “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” They can go from “partaking of Christ” to not “partaking of Christ” if they do not “hold fast the beginning of their assurance firm until the end.” It could not be more clear.

The Licentiousness of False Grace

I hope you are getting a better understanding of the true grace that is offered by our gracious Lord. His grace is not a license to sin. Rather, it is an opportunity to turn from sin, be forgiven, and be empowered to live a life of obedience. It is not a grace that “locks in” salvation.

Those who claim that, if salvation is by grace, it cannot be tied to any standard of holiness, haven’t read too closely what is probably their favorite proof text. Ephesians 2:8-9 does not say that we are saved by grace. It says that we are saved by grace through faith. Both grace and faith are essential components of the salvation equation. Grace alone does not save anyone. There must be a response of faith.

And, those who do have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ strive to obey Him, because faith without works is useless, dead, and cannot save anyone (Jas. 2:14, 20, 26). Those who stop working stop believing, and that, according to Ephesians 2:8-9, disqualifies them from salvation.

Some make the odd claim that, if a person has faith for a few seconds or minutes in their lifetime, they fully meet the requirement for salvation and are “unconditionally eternally secure.” That doctrine is, of course, another license to sin. In contrast, the New Testament teaches that we must continue in faith if we are to be ultimately saved:

He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard (Col. 1:22-23, emphasis added).

Again, those who claim that, if salvation is by grace, it cannot be tied to any standard of holiness, are offering their followers a license to sin. Jude warned about such folks in his short epistle:

For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (Jude 4, emphasis added).

When God’s grace is portrayed as a license to sin, it is a denial of Christ, who is Master and Lord. And that is what had happened in Jude’s day. False teachers had “crept in unnoticed” who were “turning the grace of God into licentiousness.” Obviously, they could never have crept in unnoticed if they had openly proclaimed, “We deny the Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” However, that is what they were effectively doing by downplaying obedience to Christ and perversely portraying God’s grace as a license to sin.

And the very same thing is being done by modern teachers who claim that salvation is not tied to any standard of holiness, or that there is nothing any Christian can do to forfeit his salvation. By offering such those licenses to sin, they effectively “deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Very serious stuff indeed.

But What if I Sin?

Christians, by biblical definition, are those who have repented and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because they believe in Him, they strive to obey Him. Obeying Him is the most important thing in their lives. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t ever stumble. James wrote, “For we all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2). Notice that James used the word “stumble,” which implies non-intentionality. Those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus do not “go on sinning willfully,” as we previously read in Hebrews 10:26. When they are tempted, they sense an inward resistance to it. If they yield to temptation, they afterwards feel remorse, which helps motivate them to ask for forgiveness. And praise God, our gracious Lord is full of mercy:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16).

Jesus indicated in the Lord’s prayer—which seems to be a prayer that is appropriate to pray on a daily basis (Matt. 6:11)—that asking God’s forgiveness for our sins could be something we pray every day and always find grace.

And if we don’t confess our sins, our Father will lovingly discipline us to attempt to motivate us to make a confession. And if that doesn’t succeed over a gracious period of time, He might even go so far as to bring us to heaven prematurely in order that He won’t have to condemn us along with those who don’t know Him. Paul wrote:

For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world (1 Cor. 11:30-32).

Not surprisingly, some use these verses to prove that it is impossible for true believers to forfeit their salvation because God will always bring wayward believers to heaven before they would ever get to the point of deserving condemnation “along with the world.” Paul, however, was certainly not contradicting what we’ve already read in Hebrews 3:12-14 and 10:26-30, which were also likely penned by him. Take note that in this passage (1 Corinthians 11:30-32), Paul was not describing what happens to believers who abandon their faith or who return to the willful practice of sin. He was describing those who are guilty of lesser things and who fail to judge themselves.

In Summary

Thank God that the King of kings and Lord of lords is so gracious! His sacrificial death is the greatest demonstration of God’s grace the world has ever seen. But His death is also the greatest demonstration of God’s hatred of sin the world has ever seen, because the Son of God suffered and died for our sins. For that and many other reasons, God’s grace does not resemble anything close to a license to sin. Run from those who pervert it in that way!

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds (Titus 2:11-14, emphasis added).

[1] Those who claim that John used the words “know Him” to refer to “really knowing Him, being a mature believer rather than an immature believer,” should read how John used the same phrase one chapter later: “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (1 John 3:1). Knowing Jesus is equivalent to being born again as a child of God.

The post How Gracious is Our Lord? appeared first on David Servant.

Perhaps you’ve heard a pastor or preacher say, “We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone.” Those are known as the “five solas” (or “solae”) because in Latin they are: Sola gratia, sola fida, solus Christus, sola scriptura, and soli Deo gloria. Although all five were not articulated together until the 20th century, the first two, grace alone and faith alone, were mentioned by some of the 16^th-century Protestant Reformers to summarize what they felt was most wrong with Roman Catholicism. It isn’t easy, however, to summarize all that God has revealed about salvation in Scripture with four Latin words. In fact, it is impossible. That is one reason why God gave us an entire Bible, and not just four words.

Anyone who reads the Bible and filters everything he reads through the first two solas is going to be scratching his head. That is always the problem with theological mantras. They are limited by their brevity, and if they’re unduly elevated, they can end up supplanting Scripture. If you find yourself often saying to yourself as you read the Bible, “That can’t mean what it says, because it doesn’t agree with one of the solas,” then you’ve got a problem. You are filtering the Bible through your theology rather than what you should be doing, and that is filtering your theology through the Bible.

But it can get even worse. Not only is Scripture often twisted to fit into theological mantras, but the mantras themselves are often twisted to mean what they did not originally mean. That has certainly happened regarding the first two solas. In the end, both Scripture and mantras are misused. Allow me to explain.

Some Historical Context

Many modern Evangelicals (“born-again” Christians) who quote the five solas seem to be unaware that they were all coined by Calvinist/Reformed theologians, and so their intended meanings were originally Calvinistic/Reformed. When a Reformer declared, for example, that “we are saved by grace alone,” he was speaking of Calvinism’s “irresistible grace” by which God zaps those whom He has (allegedly) predestined for salvation. Human will or yielding have nothing to do with salvation in Calvinistic understanding. If they did, Calvinists claim, then salvation would not be by grace alone. “Irresistible grace” operates alone in the strictest sense.

In contrast, modern non-Calvinistic Evangelicals (who do not subscribe to the Calvinistic idea of “irresistible grace”) rightly maintain that salvation is by grace, as that is what Scripture teaches, yet they also believe that human will—under the influence of God’s Spirit—has something to do with receiving the benefit of God’s grace. This is also plainly taught in Scripture, for example, in Jesus’ Parable of the Sower and the Soils. If Calvinism were true, that parable is meaningless (not to mention thousands of other scriptures). So, even though some non-Calvinistic Evangelicals may claim to believe the first sola, they certainly don’t believe it like the Reformers meant it.

The real truth is, even though they may claim to believe in sola gratia, non-Calvinistic Evangelicals really don’t believe we are saved by “grace alone,” simply because they believe that human will plays a part in salvation. If non-Calvinistic Evangelicals were more honest, they would say that we are saved by God’s grace, but not by grace alone, because only if we yield to God’s gracious drawing and conviction are we saved. God plays the major part in salvation and we play a very small part. And that human part is of necessity, because God gave us free moral agency, and He doesn’t want a family of robots.

In spite of that, non-Calvinistic Evangelicals keep parroting the Protestant mantra, “We are saved by grace alone.” The reason is, if you would ever state that salvation is not by grace alone, you would be shooting a sacred cow, and you would run the risk of being labeled self-righteous, a Pharisee, a thief of God’s glory, and a heretic who believes that you can save yourself. All of those are very unfair characterizations that actually reveal more about the labelers than they do those whom they label. And what is most tragic regarding those labelers is that they unwittingly label Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, John and Jude, who all affirmed that ultimate salvation—inheriting God’s kingdom—is only for those who demonstrate some degree of holiness, which obviously requires some human effort.

As a simple example of biblical grace, consider the woman who was caught in the act of adultery, whose story John told (see John 8:1-11). Who would argue that she was not “saved by grace”? She deserved to be stoned according to the Mosaic Law, but the One who gave the Mosaic Law did not stone her. Rather, He said, “I do not condemn you.” That’s “undeserved favor”! At that moment, she was saved by “grace alone.” But Jesus went on to say to her, “Now, go and sin no more.” So, Jesus expected her to do something that would require effort by her human will. And the implication is that if she continued in her sexual promiscuity, she could find herself regretting it. That harmonizes perfectly with Paul’s repeated warnings that immoral people will not inherit God’s kingdom (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-5).

All of this is to say, it is certainly unfair to be branded a heretic by Calvinists for not subscribing to sola gratia. It is even more unfair to be branded a heretic by non-Calvinist Evangelicals for the same thing, and for at least three reasons: (1) because the non-Calvinist Evangelical understanding of saving grace is actually contrary to sola gratia as the Reformers meant it, (2) because non-Calvinist Evangelicals all believe that human wills play a part in initial salvation, which also stands in contrast to sola gratia and (3), because the New Testament is abundantly clear on the fact that inheriting God’s kingdom has something to do with personal holiness.

What Would the Reformers Think?

Historically, both the first and second solas (salvation by grace alone through faith alone) were a Protestant reaction to the merit/works-based salvation being proffered at the time by Roman Catholicism, when some in the church were, for example, selling indulgences to people who wanted to assist their dead relatives escape purgatory sooner.

When the Reformers declared, however, that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, did they mean that obedience to Christ was not part of the salvation equation? No, certainly not! Reformer Martin Luther, for example, wrote, “It is impossible, indeed, to separate works from faith, just as it is impossible to separate heat and light from fire.”

Luther even coined a term to describe those who were convinced that, because salvation was a free gift of God’s grace, obeying God’s laws was optional. He called them antinomians, the roots of which are anti, against, and nomos, law. The antinomians of Luther’s day were the 16^th-century version of today’s false-grace and hyper-grace teachers.

Tragically, the Evangelical church today is full of antinomians, including antinomians who frequently quote and misuse the first two solas to buttress their flawed theology. If Luther were alive today, he would not only cry out against the heresy of false-grace and hyper-grace teachers, he would also point out their misuse of the first two solas. And he would have no lack of scriptural support for his crusade, because Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, John and Jude all warned against the errors of antinomianism.

All of this is to say, when modern teachers quote the first and second solas as a means to support their idea that grace somehow makes holiness optional, or that anyone who says that holiness is part of the salvation equation is a heretic who is “preaching salvation by works,” they show that they interpret the Reformers just like they interpret the Bible—by ignoring essential context.

Sola Fida

The second sola, that we are “saved through faith alone,” has certainly become another Protestant mantra. But the Reformers who affirmed the second sola—again, in reaction to Roman Catholicism’s “works-oriented” bent—saw saving faith as something that God sovereignly granted to those whom He first zapped with Calvinistic “irresistible grace,” causing them to be born again, all through no human yielding. So, from their Calvinist viewpoint, the Reformers could rightfully claim, in the strictest sense, that salvation was through faith alone. Yielded human wills have nothing to do with salvation in Calvinist theology. Grace and faith are both sovereignly and irresistibly granted.

Just as non-Calvinists actually don’t believe that salvation is by grace alone in the strictest, Calvinistic sense, neither do they believe that salvation is through faith alone in the strictest, Calvinist sense because, again, they believe that human will, under the drawing and conviction of the Holy Spirit, always plays a part in salvation. Moreover, many non-Calvinist Evangelicals (that is, all who are not in the false- or hyper-grace camps) also believe that saving faith is always evidenced by works of obedience, so in that sense also they don’t believe that we are saved by faith alone.

And when you think about it, because most Calvinists believe, as did Martin Luther, that “it is impossible to separate works from faith, just as it is impossible to separate heat and light from fire,” neither do they actually believe that we are saved by faith alone, but rather that we are saved by faith that is not alone, but by faith that is evidenced and accompanied by works—in which human wills undeniably play a part. So, it is not only amusing to hear non-Calvinist Evangelicals sometimes quote the second sola as a sacred doctrine, it is even more amusing to hear Calvinists affirm the second sola, yet seconds later deny it by affirming that a living faith is always accompanied by works (that undeniably require human effort)!

And this brings us to a biggest problem with the second sola, and that is the fact that the only place in the Bible where the words “faith” and “alone” are found in the same verse is James 2:24, which states: “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” That directly contradicts the second Protestant sola. James flatly declared that a man is “justified by works and not by faith alone.”

Protestant theologians, of course, have some explaining to do, since James 2:24 certainly appears to contradict a cardinal Protestant doctrine expressed in the second sola.

Some, therefore, make the claim that James was not talking about our being justified before God, but about our being justified before people. The only trouble is, that is not what the text or context indicates at all—if we are honest (read it yourself in Jas. 2:14-26). Plus, it requires us to believe that James wrote to correct a grave misconception among the early believers that they could be justified before people by faith without any works! Really? There was debate about that? Of course, that is silly. In fact, it is ludicrous, but theologians and pastors “explain” James 2:24 that way all the time with straight faces, parroting what they heard in seminary.

Other theologians, who perhaps realize how foolish that particular twisting of Scripture is, sometimes use a “clever” proverb to help us understand what they seem to see so clearly. They say, “We are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone.” Which is to actually say, “We are saved by faith alone, but we are not saved by faith alone.” It is pure doublespeak.

A longer version of that proverb would have to read like this: “We are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone, but rather, by a faith that is evidenced by works. So, we are only saved by a faith that is accompanied and validated by works, and thus we are not saved by faith alone.” Just as James said!

Imagine a survivor of a shipwreck saying, “I was saved by air alone, but not by air that was alone! That is, the air inside the raft that kept me from drowning saved me. But anyone who says I was saved, not by air alone, but by an air-filled raft, is a heretic!” You would wonder about that person’s sanity.

The question is, why is there a Protestant mantra that directly contradicts James 2:24? The sad answer is that, it was a reaction to Roman Catholicism’s merit/works-based teaching, but it doesn’t encapsulate everything the Reformers actually believed regarding faith and works. If Martin Luther believed that, “It is impossible, indeed, to separate works from faith, just as it is impossible to separate heat and light from fire,” then Martin Luther actually didn’t believe, in the strictest sense, that we are saved by faith alone.

Was Paul Confused?

It is not just James who troubles sola-quoting Protestants. It is also Paul who, although he wrote famous words like, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Rom. 3:28), which might sound a lot like “salvation through faith alone,” he also wrote things that seem to contradict those famous words. For example, just one chapter earlier in the very same letter, he penned these words:

But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom. 2:5-10).

So, God is going to repay everyone according to their deeds. Those who do good will receive glory, honor, peace, and eternal life. Those who do evil will receive wrath, indignation, tribulation and distress. So, one’s eternal destiny is determined by their deeds! That sure doesn’t sound like “salvation by faith alone.” That sounds like salvation by works.

And please note that the Greek word Paul used that is translated “deeds” in his declaration that God will “render to each person according to his deeds,” is ergon. It is the identical word he used one chapter later when he wrote: “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works [ergon] of the Law” (Rom. 3:28). So, according to Paul, people are justified, or made righteous before God, by faith apart from deeds, but their eternal destiny is determined by their deeds! How can those two apparent contradictory facts be reconciled?

There is only one way they can be reconciled, and if we read everything Paul wrote in Romans 1 through 3, it becomes clear. For example, just five verses into his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote about “the obedience of faith” (Rom. 1:5). More specifically, he wrote that he was called as an apostle in order to “bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles.” Faith, true faith, produces obedience. When someone believes, he repents, and he starts to obey. God, by His grace, forgives him of his sins and gives him His Holy Spirit to empower him to live a holy life.

So, clearly, although salvation is not the result of works, genuine salvation results in works. And the believing, repentant, forgiven, saved person is ready to stand before God to be “rendered to according to his deeds.”

Some of this is actually implied in the very passage in Romans 2:5-10 we are considering that seems, at first glance, to stand in contrast to “salvation by faith.” Remember that it began with these words: “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom. 2:5, emphasis added). Implied is that the one who repents will find mercy and escape from God “rendering to him according to his evil deeds.” Obviously, biblical repentance is a change of heart that results in a change of actions, from doing evil to doing good.

There are other places in the first chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans that make it clear that, although salvation is not the result of works, genuine salvation results in works. For example, within seconds after Paul wrote, “”For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Rom. 3:28), he wrote, “Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law” (Rom. 3:31, emphasis added). What did Paul mean?

Paul’s letter to the Romans could be considered his treatise to answer Jewish objections to his gospel. So, just imagine Jews, who believed the Mosaic Law was their ticket to salvation, saying to Paul, “Your message of salvation through faith nullifies the Law!” Paul’s response was, “No, just the opposite is true! Through faith “we establish the Law.” He could only have been referring to the fact that those who believe repent and starting obeying God.

Moreover, Paul declared the same idea using different words in the very first chapter of Romans when he wrote in his introduction:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the righteous man shall live by faith'” (Rom. 1:16-17, emphasis added).

It is obvious that another common Jewish objection to Paul’s gospel was that it made God appear to be unrighteous. So, Paul repeatedly counters that accusation, and his first counter is to declare that, in the gospel, God’s righteousness “is revealed from faith to faith.” That could be paraphrased to say that God’s righteousness “is revealed from one person to another person who has faith,” because Paul wrote directly before and after about people who have faith.

And how is God’s righteousness revealed from one person to another person who has faith? It is revealed when people believe and thus repent, turning from sin and turning to righteousness. Moreover, when that occurs, God then sets them free from the power of sin, and He comes to live inside of them by His Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit also come His fruit, which Paul once listed as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness [and] self-control” (Gal. 5:22). True believers are “filled with the fruit of righteousness” (Phil. 1:11). So, when believing, repentant, forgiven, Spirit-indwelt people display holy fruit that has its origin from God Himself, they display God’s righteousness. Thus, God’s righteousness “is revealed from faith to faith.”

These truths are repeatedly found all through the New Testament letters. They ought to be common knowledge among all professing Christians. Sadly, however, they are not, and some teachers ignore or twist passages of Scripture to make the New Testament authors appear to say what they did not say. One of the most common twistings is to claim that when Paul wrote about righteousness in these passages, he was always referring to legal righteousness rather than practical righteousness. So, people can supposedly be righteous in God’s eyes without actually living righteously! “When God looks at you, He sees the perfect righteousness of Jesus!” they claim. They ought to read Jesus’ messages to the seven churches in Asia found in Revelation 1-3. Jesus sure didn’t seem to be seeing Himself when He looked at those churches! Similarly, John wrote, “The one who practices righteousness is righteous” (1 John 3:7).

Continuing in Faith

Tragically, some false-grace teachers claim that God only requires that we have faith for a single moment in our lives, and if we do, that guarantees eternal salvation. If one believes in Jesus for one second, even if one becomes an atheist for the rest of his life or a serial murderer, he is safe in God’s grace and will spend eternity in heaven!

The exact opposite, however, is taught in the New Testament. Scripture is very clear that we must continue in faith, which also means continuing in obedience, since “faith without works is dead” (Jas. 2:26). Remember, everyone will be repaid according to their deeds. We will either inherit “glory, honor, peace and eternal life,” or “wrath, indignation, tribulation and distress,” all depending on our deeds.

Obviously, continuing in faith and obedience has something to do with our own human wills. Thousands of scriptures testify to that fact, not to mention every human being’s experience. But, as you might imagine, those who embrace sola gratia and sola fida and thus reject the idea that human wills have anything to do with initially receiving salvation must also reject the idea that human wills have anything to do with ultimately receiving eternal life, otherwise salvation is not by grace alone through faith alone. Again, when you filter the Bible through your theology rather than filter your theology through the Bible, you are making a huge error.

Scores of New Testament scriptures, both in the Gospels and epistles, plainly indicate that to ultimately inherit life, one must continue in faith and obedience, both of which require human will and effort. We’ve already previously read Paul’s words that it is “those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality” who will inherit “eternal life” (Rom. 2:7). Here’s Paul again:

Yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard (Col. 1:22-23, emphasis added).

The Colossian believers had been, at the time Paul wrote to them, reconciled to God through Jesus’ death, “in order to present [them] before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” Yet, if they were to ultimately be presented before God by Jesus as holy and blameless, it was necessary that they “continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” How much clearer could it be?

Believers must not only continue believing, they must continue obeying. Paul wrote to the Philippians:

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil. 2:12 -13, emphasis added).

There isn’t any doubt on the spiritual status of the Philippians to whom Paul wrote. They were believers, “saints in Christ Jesus” who had been “filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:1, 11). And, in the passage we just read, Paul declared that God was at work in them “to will and to work for His good pleasure.” So they were saved! But Paul didn’t recommend that they “just rest in God and let Him work.” No, he admonished the Philippian believers to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling.” That means they had a part to play in their ultimate salvation, and they should take their part so seriously that they should do it “with fear and trembling.” What was there to fear and tremble about? Just the loss of some rewards? Amazingly, that is what some commentators claim. When the Bible doesn’t harmonize with your sola, it sure can’t be your sola that needs adjustment, can it?

Some teachers claim that the “salvation” Paul admonished the Philippians to “work out” could not be a reference to salvation as in ultimate salvation/damnation. It must just be a reference to something like getting victory over sin. Again, when the Bible doesn’t harmonize with your sola, it’s apparently OK to change the plain meaning of words.

But let’s be honest. Salvation means salvation. And the Greek word translated “salvation” (soteria) in Philippians 2:12-13 (“work out your salvation“) is the same word translated “salvation” in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

In Conclusion

There are so many other New Testament scriptures that could be cited that all affirm everything I’ve been saying in this article. If you read the New Testament with an open mind, they will start jumping out at you like popcorn in a hot kettle. We are indeed saved by grace, but God’s grace is not a license to sin. Rather, it is a temporary opportunity to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent, be born again, be indwelled by the Holy Spirit and His wonderful fruit, and live a righteous life, “walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh,” so that you will be ready to stand before Jesus and be judged and repaid according to your deeds.

And we are saved through faith, but not by a faith that is nothing more than a mental assent to some theological facts about salvation, but by faith in a divine person, the Lord Jesus Christ. If we believe in Him, we will believe He is Lord, and we will repent and start following Him. And He will come to live in us and through us. And as we “continue in the faith” our salvation is secure.

It is miraculous and wonderful to actually be born again. But to just think you are born again because you are a believer in, and a defender of, the first two solas—as you wrongly perceive and exalt them—is tragic beyond anything else I know. — David

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God (Rom. 8:12-14, emphasis added).

His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you (2 Pet. 1:3-11, emphasis added).

The post Grace Alone and Faith Alone: What is Wrong with the First Two Solas? appeared first on David Servant.

Jesus’ Olivet Discourse—so named because He delivered it on the Mt. of Olives while overlooking Jerusalem and the temple—included three parables that are often misinterpreted. They are the Parables of the Unfaithful Servant, Ten Virgins, and Talents. They are followed by Jesus’ foretelling of the judgment of the sheep and the goats which, although not a parable, is often misinterpreted just like the three parables that precede it.

Let’s start by taking a look at the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13).

The big question facing everyone who reads it is the identity of the five foolish virgins. In the end, they are denied entrance to the wedding feast, and the Lord tells them, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you” (Matt. 25:12).

So, do they represent people who were never saved, or do they represent those who were once saved, but who forfeited their salvation? That is a hotly-debated question in Christian circles. Let’s consider the evidence.

First, note that all ten virgins were initially no different from one another. All were waiting for the bridegroom, their lamps lit with sufficient oil. Could people who are waiting for the Lord’s return represent unsaved people?

Second, had the bridegroom come sooner, all ten virgins would have gained entrance to the wedding feast. They were all ready for his return at one time, but five became unready because of his delay. Are unsaved people ever ready for the Lord’s return?

Third, and most significant, Jesus spoke the Parable of the Ten Virgins to four of His closest disciples—Peter, James, Andrew and John—during His Olivet Discourse (see Mark 13:3). Jesus told the parable, not to the multitudes, but to Peter, James, Andrew and John for their benefit. And He was not speaking to them as unsaved people who needed to be saved. He was speaking to them as saved people who needed to remain ready for His return. He ended the parable saying to them, “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour” (Matt. 25:13). That is, “Peter, James, Andrew and John, don’t be like the five foolish virgins who at one time were ready, but who became unready.”

Fourth, note that bridegroom said to the five foolish virgins, “I do not know you” rather than, “I never knew you” (as we find in Matthew 7:23).  Those words do not preclude the possibility that He previously did know them. Again, they were initially waiting for him just as were the other five virgins, and had he come sooner, they would have gained entrance to the wedding feast. In that case, he would not  have said to them, “I do not know you.”

Fifth, Jesus begins the Parable of the Virgins by saying, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins (Matt. 25:1, emphasis added). Jesus is not talking about the kingdom of the world or the kingdom of Satan. He’s talking about what God’s kingdom will look like. It looks like ten virgins, all waiting for the bridegroom. But some who began well don’t finish well.

All of this is to say, the evidence supports the view that the five foolish virgins represent those who were once saved but who forfeited their salvation.

Of course, like every metaphor, all parables reach a place where certain details contain no applicable meaning. For example, we would not want to conclude that five out of ten currently-ready believers will become unready for Jesus’ return, or that only women can be saved, or that the oil in the parable represents the Holy Spirit which we can “run out of.” No, the single message of the parable is found in Jesus’ conclusion: “Stay ready. Being unready can have dire consequences.”

Staying Ready

How can Jesus’ servants stay ready? The Parable of the Ten Virgins is preceded by another short parable that makes that ever so clear. It is the Parable of the Unfaithful Servant, also spoken by Jesus to Peter, James, Andrew and John:

Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, “My master is not coming for a long time,” and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 24:45-51).

The way to remain ready is to continue believing in Jesus, which means continuing to obey His commandments. If you are “beating your fellow slaves” (either physically or verbally), or enjoy spending time eating and drinking with drunkards, those aren’t good signs according to Jesus.

Here’s a fact that can’t be avoided: the Parables of the Unfaithful Servant and the Ten Virgins both share a similar moral: “Stay ready. If you don’t stay ready, in the end you could be denied entrance into God’s kingdom and be cast into hell.” Not surprisingly, the very next parable we will consider, the Parable of the Talents, teaches the same moral. And all three parables were originally spoken to people who, at the time, were ready. That means Jesus believed that saved people could forfeit their salvation.

That, of course, stands in direct contradiction to the idea of “once-saved-always saved,” also known as the doctrine of “unconditional eternal security.” It also stands in contrast to the popular message of false-grace and hyper-grace teachers who redefine biblical grace. So, we have a choice. We can believe what Jesus said, or we can believe what others say that contradicts what Jesus said. Personally, I’m sticking with Jesus!

Who is the One-Talent Slave?

Let’s now consider the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30). The challenge that is faced by everyone who reads it revolves around the slave who was entrusted with one talent. In the end, he is referred to by his master as a “worthless slave,” and he is cast into “the outer darkness” where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 25:29). That sure sounds like hell. Yet he was a servant of the master just as much as the other two were, and he was entrusted with some of the master’s money just as were the other two. So, a servant of the master was cast into hell.

In the strange world of “false-grace” and “hyper-grace,” fruitfulness and obedience are optional. Yet in this parable, not to mention the rest of the Bible, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Clearly, the one-talent slave was cast into hell because of what he didn’t do. Specifically, unlike the five-talent and two-talent slaves, he didn’t bring his master an increase on what the master had entrusted to him.

Some false- and hyper-grace preachers solve this dilemma by turning hell into heaven. They claim that the “outer darkness” is a place on the fringes of heaven where unfaithful believers will temporarily mourn their loss of rewards. They assure us, however, that Jesus will eventually “wipe away every tear,” and invite them into heaven, since salvation is all through an unconditional grace that has no expectations or requirements (that is, a license to sin). The outer darkness is sort of like a Protestant purgatory.

The trouble with that interpretation is that it is stupid with a capital C! Any honest person who takes ten minutes to study every instance in which Jesus referred to the “outer darkness” and the place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” will conclude that Jesus was unmistakably speaking about hell.

For example, in Matthew 8:11-12, Jesus contrasts “the kingdom of heaven” with the “outer darkness” where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It is one fate or the other.

In Matthew 13:36-43, the “sons of the kingdom” inherit “the kingdom of their Father,” while the “sons of the evil one” are thrown “into the furnace of fire” where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It is one fate or the other.

In Matthew 13:47-50, the wicked are removed from among the righteous, and they are thrown “into the furnace of fire” where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It is one fate or the other.

In Matthew 22:11-13, Jesus contrasts a wonderful wedding feast given by a king for his son, with the “outer darkness” where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It is one fate or the other.

In Matthew 24:45-50, the obedient slaves are given more responsibility in their master’s household, while the wicked slave is “cut up in pieces” and “assigned a place with the hypocrites” where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It is one fate or the other.

After all those references in Matthew in which the outer darkness and the place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth are all clear references to hell, we come to the Parable of the Talents that speaks of the same. So, should we conclude that the other five references in Matthew’s gospel to “outer darkness” and “weeping and gnashing of teeth” are references to hell, but on the sixth occasion, when Jesus used the identical terms, He was referring to a temporary holding place on the fringes of heaven? Hmmm.

By the way, there is no mention of the unfaithful slave in Matthew 25 being in the “outer darkness” temporarily, and to suggest so is to say what the Bible never says.

All of this is to say, anyone who claims that the “other darkness” and place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is not hell, but rather is a place on the fringes of heaven that is a temporary holding place for unfaithful believers, has not done his homework.

A Second Desperate Twist

If hell can’t be turned into heaven, false- and hyper-grace teachers have only one other option to twist the Parable of the Talents to fit their perverse theology. And that is to make the one-talent slave represent someone who was never saved. His one talent, they sometimes claim, represents the chances he had to hear the gospel, which he tragically “buried.”

One problem with that interpretation is that there is no hint of it in the parable itself. Again, the one-talent slave is just as much a slave of the master as are the two-talent and five-talent slaves. Where in the four Gospels can we find Jesus comparing unsaved people to slaves of a master who represents God? Nowhere.

Moreover, the master in the parable entrusts some of his money to the one-talent slave just as he does to the two-talent and five-talent slaves. Nothing in the parable leads honest readers to believe that the one-talent slave is any less a slave of the master than the other two slaves.

A second problem with that interpretation is that, as I have already mentioned, the Parable of the Talents is found within Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, which was a sermon not addressed to the multitudes, but to a handful of Jesus’ closest disciples, namely, Peter, James, Andrew and John (Mark 13:3). That is, Jesus’ Parable of the Talents was addressed to a few of His servants whom He was about to leave, and whom He would be entrusting with different gifts and opportunities. It was spoken to them because it was for them.

Jesus was obviously warning them that they should be careful that they not become like the one-talent servant who buried his talent. If you had asked Peter, James, Andrew or John an hour later what they thought Jesus’ Parable of the Talents meant, would they have said, “The only part that was applicable to us were the references to the five-talent and two-talent slaves, because it would be impossible for us to ever be like the one-talent slave”?

All of this is to say that to turn heaven into hell, or make a servant of the master into not a servant of the master, is devious scripture-twisting.

Some of the most heretical hyper-grace teachers claim that most all of Jesus’ words only had application to Jews under the old covenant—an idea not found in any of the New Testament epistles and an idea that stands in total contradiction to Matthew 28:18-20. Yet, according to those hyper-grace teachers, Peter, Andrew, James and John only had to worry about being unfaithful servants for a few more days…until Jesus died and rose again. After that, the Parable of the Talents had no further application to them! From then on it was all about “grace”! Yipee! No more need to be concerned about faithfulness or obedience!

The truth is, the Parable of the Talents is one more beautiful illustration of biblical grace, the grace that is offered in the gospel, that is, conditional grace. All three slaves in Jesus’ parable were entrusted with something that belonged to their master that they didn’t earn. That is grace—unearned and undeserved. But the master expected something from those servants who had received his grace, and that concept fits perfectly with the consistent message found in the New Testament epistles. Gospel grace is not a license to sin. Rather, it is a temporary opportunity to turn from sin, be forgiven, and live for God by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Ironically, the one-talent slave was very much like modern hyper-grace teachers. He believed in a grace that didn’t exist, a grace that was never offered by his master. He didn’t think that “works” were part of the “salvation equation.” He believed he was “unconditionally eternally secure” and had nothing to worry about. He believed in “once a slave, always a slave.” But he was wrong. Dead wrong.

The Future Judgment of the Sheep and Goats

Finally, let’s consider Jesus’ foretelling of the future judgment of the sheep and goats (Matt. 25:31-46) since we can now consider it within the context of the three parables that precede it. It is the conclusion to Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. Like His Parables of the Unfaithful Servant, Ten Virgins, and Talents, Jesus did not address it to the multitudes, but to four of His closest disciples (see Matt. 24:3; Mark 13:3). He spoke it just a few days before His crucifixion.

Keep in mind that twice already during His Olivet Discourse, Jesus foretold of those who would be “cast into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.” In each case, it was because of what those people did or didn’t do. This leads honest readers to think that holiness has something to do with gaining heaven and escaping hell.

False-grace and hyper-grace teachers, however, either ignore those inescapable facts, or relegate them exclusively to the old covenant. Only people under the old covenant, some of them claim, needed to be obedient to enter God’s kingdom. Yet the New Testament epistles, all written to Christians under the New Covenant, repeatedly underscore the necessity of holiness for salvation, harmonizing perfectly with Jesus’ teaching. Salvation is by grace, of course, as there is no other way for sinners to be forgiven. But the grace that God offers is conditional. It is not a license to sin. It calls us to repentance and obedience.

Jesus’ foretelling of the judgment of the sheep and goats, the capstone of His Olivet Discourse, also stands in contrast to what is proffered by false- and hyper-grace teachers, because once again, Jesus revealed that people will gain eternal life or suffer eternal punishment based on what they do and do not do. The sheep—those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ—love the brethren. In contrast, the goats, who do not truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, do not love the brethren.

Those who have faith demonstrate it by their love and obedience. Those who don’t demonstrate love and obedience don’t have faith. It is just that simple. But because of their rejection of these inescapable New Testament truths, false teachers have concocted some of the most bizarre interpretations imaginable regarding Jesus’ foretelling of the judgment of the sheep and goats. Let me tell you one.

Location, Location, Location…

Some try to persuade us that, because we read in Matthew 25:32 that “all the nations will be gathered before [Jesus]; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,” that this is a judgment, not of people, but of nations. So, the United States, with all its citizens, will either be a “sheep nation” or a “goat nation.” That is also true for China, Kenya, Cuba, and so on. Between them, there will be about 200 “sheep nations” or “goat nations.”

And because the Olivet Discourse foretells end-times events when Israel will be attacked during the Tribulation period, when Jesus referred to “these brothers of Mine, even the least of them,” He was allegedly referring to His Jewish brothers living in Israel. And those nations that are kind to Israel during the Tribulation, sending relief in the form of food and clothing, will be permitted to enter the millennial reign of Christ, while those that persecute Israel will not be permitted to enter His millennial reign.

The only trouble with that interpretation is that it flatly contradicts what Jesus actually said, not to mention the fact that it is utterly ridiculous.

Jesus said nothing about the sheep being permitted to enjoy His millennial reign or the goats not being permitted to enjoy it. Rather, the sheep “inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 24:34) as well as “eternal life” (Matt. 25:46), while the goats are cast into the “eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41) to suffer “eternal punishment” (Matt. 25:46).

So, are we to think that our earthly citizenship, prior to the sheep and goats judgment, will determine if we gain eternal life or suffer eternal punishment? That is, if we are citizens of a “sheep nation,” yet we have no faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, no love for Him, and no obedience to Him, will that guarantee we will inherit eternal life? And if we live in a “goat nation,” yet we believe in the Lord Jesus, love Him and obey Him, will that guarantee that we will be cast into the eternal fire? The answer to those questions is obvious, and it exposes the absurdity of those who teach the “sheep and goat nation” theory.

By the way, Jesus’ brothers, including the “least of these,” are not all the people who live in Israel. They are those who hear God’s Word and obey it, as Jesus said in Luke 8:21. (And that, incidentally, is just one more New Testament proof that those who are truly born again show their faith by their obedience.)

Many teachers claim that Christians will not be a part of the judgment of the sheep and the goats. Really? How do they know that? And who then are the sheep who inherit eternal life? They aren’t Christians? And God has a standard to which He holds the sheep that He doesn’t have for me and you? Finally, did Peter, James, Andrew and John, who all heard Jesus foretell the judgment of the sheep and goats, believe that there was no chance that they would ever stand at that judgment? Hmmm.

The Simple, Plain Truth

So how should we interpret Jesus’ words about the future judgment of the sheep and goats? We should believe that Jesus simply meant what He said.

There is coming a day when Jesus is going to say to every person one of two things, either, “I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat” (Matt. 25:35) or, “I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat” (Matt. 25:42). Either, “I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink” (Matt. 25:35) or, “I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink,” and so on.

The sheep—those who demonstrated their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by their love and sacrifices for other suffering believers in whom Jesus lives—will inherit eternal life. The goats—those who demonstrated their unbelief in the Lord Jesus Christ by not caring about suffering believers in whom Jesus lives—will be cast into hell. It is just that simple.

Here’s an amazing thing: All of the sheep will be former goats who were saved by grace, as the only way goats can be saved is by grace! When those former goats believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s grace transformed them into sheep. They became “new creations,” indwelled by His Spirit who birthed in them the fruit of the Spirit, the first of which is love (see Gal. 5:22-23).

Believing what Jesus said about the future judgment of the sheep and goats is what completely changed the direction of my ministry several decades ago. That is when my wife and I launched Heaven’s Family, to facilitate a way for people like many of us, who live in “Disney World,” to use our God-given resources to care for the “least of these” around the world. Over the past 20 years, Heaven’s Family  has been entrusted with tens of millions of dollars that has been used to meet pressing needs and touch the “least of these” in 80 nations. And we’re just getting started.

In light of what Jesus said about the future judgment of the sheep and goats, there should be thousands of other organizations doing the same thing that Heaven’s Family is doing. It is so important, for both time and eternity!

But tragically, caring for the “least of these” is not on the spiritual radar of many professing believers (including even pastors), and I’m fearful that they are one day going to be just as shocked as the goats whom Jesus talked about, because they, too, are goats. If you read Matthew 25:31-46, you will notice that the goats assumed they were sheep. They called Jesus “Lord,” saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?” (Matt. 25:44). Their implication was that, had they seen Jesus suffering in any of those conditions, they would have surely done something to offer some relief. But they were self-deceived. When someone ignores the suffering of those in whom Jesus lives, they ignore Jesus.

Here’s the question the Holy Spirit asked me 25 years ago, as a pastor, that radically altered the direction of my ministry: “If everyone in your church died today, and they stood at the judgment of the sheep and the goats, and they were judged by the same criteria that Jesus said would be used to judge the sheep and goats, how many would be sheep, and how many would be goats?” That is a good question for any and every pastor to ask himself, and a good question for any and every professing Christian to ask himself or herself. Unless Jesus was lying in Matthew 25:31-46, eternity depends on the answer to that question. — David

The post The Twisting and Truth About Jesus’ Olivet Discourse Parables appeared first on David Servant.

Is there any more beautiful word in the English language than “grace”? If there is, I don’t know it. How lovely it is to think about being undeservedly blessed.

I love gracious people. They won’t let me get away with murder, but they do extend kindness when I sometimes don’t deserve it. They often overlook what fault-finders feast on. They look for the good in me and motivate me by encouragement.

The biblical word (Greek: charis), found more than 100 times in the New Testament, is usually defined as “unmerited favor.” Grace certainly stands in contrast with merit, which is why Paul could write, “But if it [salvation] is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace” (Rom. 11:6).

No one who reads the New Testament can miss the fact that salvation is due to God’s grace. We are saved “by grace…through faith…not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). Is it any wonder that Paul referred to his message as “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) and “the word of His grace” (Acts 20:32)?

God has been extending His grace long before Jesus walked the earth. Since creation, He has, according to Jesus, been causing, “His sun to rise on the evil and the good,” and sending “rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt. 5:45). Jesus’ clear point was that evil and unrighteous people don’t deserve the sun and rain that nourish their crops, yet God still shines and showers His undeserved favor on them.

That same grace has also always been available in the salvation God offers to sinners. David, who lived under the old covenant, wrote about “the blessing on the man to whom God [graciously] credits righteousness apart from works” (Rom. 4:6):

Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account (Rom. 4:7-8; Psalm 32:1-2).

Anyone who has experienced that kind of unmerited favor can sing with millions of others, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!” Of course, if sinners are going to be forgiven, it is going to require grace. To think that sinners can earn their salvation is like thinking that dead people can compete in the Olympics.

Is Grace Always Unconditional?

In order to emphasize the graciousness of God’s grace, it is sometimes referred to in Christian circles as “the unconditional grace of God.” It must be unconditional, many think, or else it would not be unmerited.

That, however, is simply not true. There is such a thing as conditional grace. Case in point: You are pulled over by a police officer for speeding. He says to you, “You were exceeding the speed limit by 20 miles per hour. Instead of giving you a $300 ticket as you deserve, however, I’m going to show you grace and give you just a warning.”

No one would argue that grace wasn’t the entire reason you are not $300 poorer. No one could intelligently claim that you earned it.

The fact is, however, if the police officer’s grace had been “unconditional,” he would not have given you a warning. His warning, however, indicates that his grace is conditional. If you don’t believe that, when he allows you to return to the highway, spin your tires and accelerate as fast as you can to 90 miles per hour! You will soon understand how grace can be conditional!

Grace can overlook someone’s past but might not overlook their future. In fact, all grace is given in the hope that less grace will be necessary in the future. I’d be willing to bet that is your hope on any occasion when you’ve extended grace to others.

Scripture repeatedly speaks of the conditionality of God’s grace. It repeatedly declares that He “gives grace to the humble” (Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). Another way of saying that is, “He gives grace to those who meet His condition of humility.”

Isaiah, among others, prophesied of God’s conditional grace:

Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.

In order to experience God’s compassionate pardon, the wicked person must “forsake his way” and “return to the Lord” within a limited time frame—“while He may be found.” That is conditional grace. No one who reads that passage would conclude that divine pardons are unconditional. Neither would they conclude that divine pardons are earned. God only required repentance. At the moment of repentance, a total pardon, completely undeserved, was granted.

A biblical illustration of conditional grace is found in the well-known story of the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. As her accusers shamefully dropped their stones and slinked away, Jesus said to her, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more” (John 8:11).

Indisputably, the adulterous woman was granted unmerited favor. According to the Mosaic Law, she deserved to be stoned. Instead of stoning her, however, Jesus granted her grace, letting her live. But was His grace a license to return to her adultery? Apparently not, as revealed by His command to her, “From now on sin no more.” He granted her grace and called her to repentance.

That biblical story illustrates the fallacy of those who claim that any future expectation of holiness on God’s part nullifies grace. Jesus’ grace overlooked the adulterous woman’s past sins, but it wasn’t a guarantee that He would overlook her future sins. That is the most logical reason why He warned her to “sin no more.” The apostle Paul warned that no unrepentant adulterer will inherit God’s kingdom (see 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:1-3). That being so, the grace that Jesus granted the adulterous woman was a temporary opportunity to repent so that she ultimately would not be condemned.

Think about it: If God was offering “unconditional grace” to the world, everyone would be saved and on the way to heaven, with no possibility of that ever changing. But anyone who has ever preached the biblical gospel—offering salvation to sinners who repent and believe in Jesus—has preached a conditional salvation, and thus a conditional grace. To benefit from the salvation and grace God offers, people have to repent and believe. Those are conditions. So, it is indisputable that God is offering the world a conditional grace. It is so simple a child could understand it. (Yet many so-called ministers don’t!)

A Closer Look at the Conditions

According to the New Testament, the only conditions for salvation are repentance and faith (Mark 1:15; Acts 19:4; 20:21; Heb. 6:1). Of course, those two conditions can actually be reduced to one condition—to believe—as anyone who truly believes in the Lord Jesus Christ will also turn from sin. (It is also true that anyone who repents after hearing the gospel also believes.)

So, are the biblical conditions of repentance and faith temporary or perpetual? That is, does God require those who meet His conditions to continue to meet them in order to continue to enjoy the benefits of His grace? If they return to their former sinful lifestyle (I am not referring to occasionally stumbling into sin), or return to their former unbelief, do they lose the benefits they formerly gained? Or is repenting and believing in Jesus for just a day sufficient to permanently guarantee salvation? If you say “yes” (as many pastors and teachers actually do), then it would stand to reason that an hour, a minute, or even just a second of repentance and faith would be sufficient to permanently guarantee salvation.

Both logic and Scripture agree, however, that God requires more than one second, or one week, of repentance and faith. Jesus promised that the person who believes (John 3:16, 6:47) has eternal life, not the person who believed. And that is precisely why the apostle Paul wrote:

He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel (Col. 1:22-23, emphasis added).

And that is why the author of Hebrews wrote:

For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end (Heb. 3:14, emphasis added; see also Acts 14:22; 1 Tim. 1:18-20; 1 Tim. 4:7; Rev. 14:12).

To claim that Jesus does not require continuing faith in Him is to claim that He would welcome people into heaven who died without faith in Him.

Similarly, the gospel’s requirement of repentance (the “obedience of faith”; see Rom. 1:5; 16:26) is perpetual, which is why the New Testament repeatedly affirms the necessity of holiness for ultimate salvation.

For example, we are told in Hebrews:

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification [many Bible versions say “holiness”] without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14, emphasis added).

Jesus similarly warned,

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21; emphasis added).

Paul, the apostle who declared that we are “saved by grace through faith and not because of works”, warned the Corinthian Christians that “the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9). Then he specifically listed some examples of unrighteous people. He included “fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, the effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, the covetous, drunkards, revilers and swindlers” (1 Cor. 6:9-10). He also warned the Galatian believers that those who practice “immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these…will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).

The only way that hyper-grace and semi-hyper-grace teachers have found a way to twist the obvious meaning of 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Galatians 5:19:21 is to claim that “not inheriting the kingdom of God” does not refer to ultimate salvation, but to enjoying some earthly blessings. The trouble is, that is not only a forced and awkward interpretation, it also contradicts how Paul used the identical phrase elsewhere:

Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality (1 Cor. 15:50-53; emphasis added).

Clearly, in Paul’s mind, “inheriting the kingdom of God” referred to ultimate salvation.

Not only Paul, but Jesus as well, used the phrase “inherit the kingdom” within an unmistakable reference to ultimate salvation:

But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…. Then He will also say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels… These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life (Matt. 25:31-34, 41, 46 ,emphasis added).

In light of the scriptures we’ve just considered, it is patently dishonest to claim Paul’s warning that the unrighteous “will not inherit God’s kingdom” is nothing more than a little caution of missing out on some earthly blessings.

And all of this is to say that the salvation requirement of repentance is perpetual.

Of course, repentance does not imply sinless perfection, nor does it preclude the possibility of the need for repeated additional repentance. James wrote, “We all stumble in many ways” (Jas. 3:2). Still:

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:3-4).

A Hyper-Grace Teachers’ Common Objection

“But you are adding works to what is required for salvation, and salvation is all by grace!” will be the impassioned objection of hyper-grace and semi-hyper-grace teachers. “Paul wrote, ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast’!”

Indeed, those are Paul’s words. But please note he wrote that we are saved not just “by grace” but also “through faith.” Those two things cannot be contradictory. Both grace and faith are necessary for salvation. Faith is the condition for God’s saving grace to be effectual. And faith in Jesus is always evidenced by obedience to His commandments, which is why new believers—true new believers—repent. Paul declared that the goal of his ministry was to “bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles” (Rom. 1:5). Similarly, James warned that faith without works is dead, useless and cannot save (see Jas. 2:14-26).

Moreover, directly after Paul wrote Ephesians 2:8-9, he then penned verse 10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph. 2:10, emphasis added).

As born-again new creations who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (more indication of God’s grace in salvation), we strive to please God by our obedience and good works. We are “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” That was God’s purpose! So if there are no “good works,” it is safe to assume that neither is there saving faith.

But there is more. Paul wrote a few chapters later to the Ephesian believers:

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (Eph. 5:3-6).

There is that phrase again about “inheriting the kingdom of God,” a reference to ultimate salvation.

Paul solemnly warned that no immoral, impure, or covetous person will be ultimately saved. And yet just minutes earlier, he wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). Ephesians 2:8-9 and Ephesians 5:3-6 cannot contradict each other. If they seem contradictory to you, you must find a way to reconcile them.

And the only way to do that is by acknowledging that God’s grace is clearly not unconditional, but conditional—just as in my previous example of a policeman who might extend conditional grace by not giving you a speeding ticket you deserve. He expects that you will do better in the future, but if he catches you speeding tomorrow, he will likely not be so gracious. Similarly, when God forgives us and gives us the Holy Spirit, He hopes that we “will not receive His grace in vain” (see 1 Cor. 6:1). He hopes that we will “continue in the faith” (Col. 1:23). He hopes that we will remain ready, and not ultimately be caught without sufficient oil in our lamps (see Matt. 25:1-13). He hopes that we will not, as His servants, “bury our talent” (see Matt. 25:14-29). He hopes we will ultimately prove ourselves to be sheep and not goats (Matt. 25:31-46). All those warnings found in the parables of Matthew 25 were spoken by Jesus to His closest followers.

Another Hyper-Grace Objection

Hyper-grace teachers often point to the fact that Scripture declares that salvation is a gift, which it is, of course (John 4:10; Rom. 3:24; 6:23). If it is a gift, they say, then there cannot be any conditions attached to it. But is that true?

First, every gift is coupled with an initial condition of acceptance. If you receive a gift of $10,000 by means of an inheritance, you must physically accept the check, and not reject it. And then you must deposit it in your bank. Do those “works” nullify the fact that your $10,000 inheritance was a gift?

Second, someone could give you a gift, that is, something you didn’t earn, and attach future conditions for keeping the gift. A parent could give his child the gift of a bicycle for his birthday, but could then say to his child, “Stay in the driveway. If I catch you in the street, I’ll take back your bicycle until you learn to obey me.” Those conditions don’t make that bicycle any less of a gift.

Similarly, God could say, “Here’s the gift of forgiveness, but if you continue in your sin, I’ll take My gift back.” And that, essentially, is what He has said repeatedly in the Bible. Here’s just one of many relevant scriptures:

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Heb. 10:26-29, emphasis added).

Please note that there is abundant proof throughout the book of Hebrews that the author was writing to Jewish-background Christians, and not to Jews who were considering becoming Christians, as most who believe in unconditional eternal security claim. One of those proofs is found in this very passage, which is why I italicized the words “by which he was sanctified.” Only believers are sanctified. And we just read in Hebrews 10 that it is possible for sanctified people to “trample under foot the Son of God, and regard as unclean the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified.” Such a sin “insults the Spirit of grace.” (If God’s grace was “unconditional,” by the way, it could not be “insulted.”)

Clearly, once again, God’s grace does not cover those who return to their former unbelief and disobedient lifestyle. God’s grace does not cover the believer who “goes on sinning willfully after receiving [not just hearing] the knowledge of the truth.” There is no sacrifice provided to atone for that according to what we just read. There is only a “terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.”

Of course, there is a vast difference between a Christian who is tempted, resists, but falls, then experiences remorse and asks for forgiveness, and a Christian who dives back into his former sinful lifestyle, abandoning his former faith. The former always finds grace; while the latter only finds it if he or she turns back in repentance and faith.

Yet Another Hyper-Grace Objection

“But,” hyper-grace teachers point out, “Paul wrote, ‘But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace'” (Rom. 11:6). So, they claim there can’t be any requirement of “works” if salvation is by grace.

First, note that Paul is talking about the “basis” of salvation. The basis of salvation cannot be by grace if it is earned by works. That is simple to understand. But that doesn’t mean there cannot be some conditions for God’s grace to be effectual (as there are), or some conditions to keep that grace effectual (as there are). Conditional grace is still grace. To put God’s conditional grace into perspective in our salvation, it is like a parent saying to his child, “Although you murdered your two sisters, burned our house to the ground, and have been a violent rebel since your birth, I am going to deposit a million dollars into your bank account, a sum that took me my entire lifetime to earn, and is everything I have. But before I give it to you, you must give me your knife. And I expect better behavior from now on, otherwise I’ll take my money back.” Who would claim that the million-dollar gift was earned, and did not stem from the parent’s grace? And who would claim that the parent’s conditions nullified the fact that the money was a very gracious gift? Neither do the conditions of repentance and faith nullify the fact that salvation is a gracious gift.

Second, what Paul wrote in Romans 11:6 cannot contradict anything else he wrote in Romans, or in any of his other letters for that matter. Take a look at what Paul wrote, for example, in Romans 2:

But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds; to those who by perseverance in doing good [sounds like “works”] seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom. 2:5-10, emphasis added).

Thank God it is impossible to twist that passage by claiming it has no relationship to salvation. Paul plainly declared that those who “do evil” will suffer wrath, indignation, tribulation and distress. Sounds like hell. Those who “do good,” however, will enjoy “eternal life.” If your interpretation of Romans 11:6 contradicts Romans 2:5-10, your interpretation is wrong. Sinners must repent to be saved, and ongoing obedience, the subsequent expression of faith, is also required. Praise God for His grace that gives us the opportunity to believe, repent and obey!

For other passages in Romans that contradict the hyper-grace interpretation of Romans 11:6, see Rom. 1:5; 6:1-23; 8:1-14; 11:16-22; 25:25-26.

The Twisting of Galatians

Although there are numerous reasons why the Bible is misinterpreted, ignoring context is certainly one of the primary ones. To rightly understand any individual Bible verse, it must be considered within the context of the surrounding verses, the book in which it is found, and the entire Bible. Relevant historical and cultural context should also be considered.

When context is ignored, the Bible can be made to say just about anything, and it has. When the basic message of the gospel is twisted, for example, that is tragic, because a false gospel results in false conversions and false Christians. In the end, people who were certain they were on the road to heaven are cast into hell.

Paul’s letter to the Galatians certainly contains information relevant to the gospel, as he wrote it to correct a false understanding about the gospel that had crept into the Galatian church. Yet perhaps no other New Testament book has itself been more misinterpreted, and the reason is because context is ignored. When modern teachers cherry-pick verses from Galatians, the end result can be a gross misinterpretation—one that actually contradicts Paul’s intended message. In tragic irony, words Paul wrote to correct a perversion of the gospel are used to pervert the gospel.

How was the gospel being perverted in the Galatian church? Our first clue is found in the second full sentence of Paul’s letter:

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:6).

Several facts are brought to light in that sentence.

First, Paul declared that the Galatians were “deserting” God. Obviously, that was no small thing.

How were they deserting Him? By adopting a “different,” “distorted” gospel, introduced by some “disturbers” in their midst.

Hyper-grace preachers often reference what we just read in Galatians 1:6 as they try to persuade people to embrace their perverted view of God’s grace. They boldly claim that anyone who isn’t preaching their gospel is “preaching a different gospel.” (Which is actually true!) Then they move on to Galatians 2:15-16:

We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we [Jews] have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified (Gal. 2:15-16).

Here hyper-grace preachers point out that justification is not by “works of the Law” but by faith. So, if you think you have to attain or maintain any standard of holiness to be justified, you have been deceived, they say. You are trying to earn your salvation.

Then they move through other passages in Galatians:

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly (Gal. 2:21).

Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them” (Gal. 3:11-12).

For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe (Gal. 3:21-22).

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery…. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace (Gal. 5:1, 4).

For some reason, however, they never get around to Galatians 5:16-21:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [There’s that phrase again, “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”]

No one can claim that this entire passage was not written to believers. All believers universally experience that battle between the Spirit and the flesh. If they yield to the flesh, they will commit the “deeds of the flesh,” many of which Paul lists. And he solemnly warns his Christian readers that if they do, they “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Of course, just about any sin any Christian commits can be forgiven through humble confession.)

Paul’s words in Galatians 5 cannot contradict anything else he wrote to the Galatians. All of it is true and inspired by the Holy Spirit. So, if it seems to you that what Paul wrote in Galatians 5:16-21 contradicts other passages in Galatians, you are misinterpreting Galatians. If you interpret any passage in Galatians to mean, “Holiness has nothing to do with salvation,” you’ve interpreted it wrongly.

So let us endeavor to rightly interpret Paul’s words by first examining what the problem was in Galatia. Was Paul concerned that the Galatian Christians believed that holiness had something to do with salvation, and so they needed correction? Obviously not, since Paul believed that holiness has something to do with salvation (as Galatians 5:16-21 reveals). So what, specifically, was the distortion of the gospel in Galatia that so concerned Paul?

The Same Problem in Antioch

It is helpful to know that the distortion of the gospel in Galatia was not unique to Galatia. We read in the book of Acts that it cropped up in Antioch among the church there that consisted of many Gentiles who had believed in Christ:

Some men came down from Judea [to Antioch] and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue….  When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses” (Acts 15:1-2, 4-5).

Take note that the disturbing teachers (often referred to by Bible teachers as “Judaizers”) who came from Judea to Antioch were telling the Gentile believers that, unless they were circumcised according to the Mosaic Law, they “could not be saved,” which was equivalent to telling them that they really were not saved yet. Beyond that, the “Pharisees who had believed” in Jerusalem added that Gentiles must not only be circumcised to be saved, but that they must begin keeping the entire Law of Moses.

Paul and Barnabas never agreed with them, and neither did the Jerusalem apostles and elders. The Jerusalem council concluded that Gentile believers did not need to be circumcised or keep the Mosaic Law to be saved, and they jointly penned a letter to the believers in Antioch to inform them of their decision.

It is important to note, however, not only what the issue was about, but also what it was not about.

It was not about Jewish believers being circumcised or keeping the Mosaic Law. For as many as the first ten years after Pentecost, the church consisted only of Jews. The large majority, if not all, of those Jewish Christians continued to follow the Mosaic Law. They would all have circumcised their male children when they were eight days old. We learn from Acts 10:9-16 that Peter was still keeping the Mosaic dietary laws seven to ten years after Jesus’ death. We also read near the end of Acts that there were “thousands” of Jewish-background Christians in Jerusalem who were “zealous for the Law” (Acts 21:20), and there is no indication that the Jerusalem leadership was attempting to do anything to change that (see Acts 21:17-26). When they discussed that situation with Paul, they didn’t make any negative comment about the Law-following Jewish Christians. Yet they did mention their solidarity with the decision of the historic Jerusalem council regarding Gentile believers and circumcision.

Again, this is important to see. So, the question might be asked, If it was perfectly OK for Jewish Christians (who were already circumcised) to keep the Mosaic Law (including circumcising their eight-day-old children), why would it be wrong for Gentile Christians to be circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law? And here is the answer: In Galatia and Antioch, uncircumcised Gentiles who believed in Jesus and who were thus born again were being persuaded that they actually were not saved, and that to be saved, they had to be circumcised and start keeping the Mosaic Law. It was equivalent to believing that salvation is not graciously granted to sinners who believe in Jesus Christ, but is earned by being circumcised and keeping the Mosaic Law. It was adopting a “different gospel.” It was transferring faith in Jesus and the grace He offers to faith in one’s own works.

This is buttressed by the fact that Paul, who authored the book of Galatians and who participated in the Acts 15 Jerusalem council, once circumcised an uncircumcised Gentile man, and he even did it after the Jerusalem council:

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek (Acts 16:1-3).

Although Timothy’s mother was Jewish, his father was a Gentile, and he had never been circumcised. Paul circumcised him, not because he believed that circumcision was necessary for salvation (Timothy was already born again), but so as not to cause any hindrance to the gospel among the Jews to whom Timothy would be preaching along with Paul.

Yet the very same Paul who circumcised Timothy wrote to the Galatians, “If you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you” (Gal 5:2)! Why wasn’t that also true for Timothy? What was the difference between Gentile Timothy being circumcised and the Gentile Galatians being circumcised?

The difference was their motive for being circumcised. The Galatian Christians were submitting to circumcision because they had been persuaded that they actually were not saved, and thus salvation was not granted by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, but was earned through circumcision and keeping the Mosaic Law. In contrast, Timothy submitted to circumcision, not as the means to salvation, but as a means to not hinder Jews from salvation.

Becoming All Things to All Men

Paul’s circumcision of Timothy was in keeping with his practice of “becoming all things to all men” in order to win as many as possible to Christ:

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the [Mosaic] Law [the Jews], as under the [Mosaic] Law though not being myself under the [Mosaic] Law, so that I might win those [the Jews] who are under the [Mosaic] Law; to those who are without law [the Gentiles], as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ [all that Christ commanded], so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some (1 Cor. 9:19-22).

At times, when he was among Jews, Paul kept the Mosaic Law, so as not to erect a barrier to the gospel. We can read a specific example of him doing that in Acts 21:17-26. So why did he try to persuade the Galatian believers to not be circumcised and begin keeping the Mosaic Law?

The answer, again, came down to their motives for keeping the Mosaic Law. If the Gentile Galatian believers had been getting circumcised for the same reason that Paul circumcised Timothy, Paul would have rejoiced. But that was not their reason for getting circumcised and keeping the Mosaic Law. They were doing those things to be saved, so what they were doing was denial of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Here is my point: The legalist who says that salvation is earned is wrong. That is what was happening in Galatia. That is what Paul was correcting.

The one who says that salvation is granted by a conditional grace from God, given only to those who believe and continue to believe in Jesus, so they therefore continually strive to obey Him, is correct. That is not what Paul was correcting in his letter to the Galatians, because that is what he himself believed.

The hyper-grace teachers who say that salvation is by means of a grace that makes one’s future behavior irrelevant are not preaching the same gospel as Paul. They are preaching a “different gospel,” a perverse gospel, one that Paul would have considered heretical if we can trust his words in Galatians 5.

And if we take Jesus at His Word, He also considers such teaching to be heretical. He made many relevant declarations to that end, and one could practically write a book about it. But here is just one relevant declaration I’ve already mentioned:

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven (Matt. 7:21).

How much clearer could it be? And the entire Sermon on the Mount in which those words are found, repeatedly, from start to finish, affirms that there is a connection between heaven and holiness.

Tragically, hyper-grace teachers, and even some semi-hyper grace teachers, make the claim that anything Jesus said during His earthly ministry that seems “merit-based” has no application to new covenant Christians under grace, because Jesus ministered to Jews under the Mosaic Law. Such a teaching demonstrates that hyper-grace teachers not only don’t understand new covenant salvation, they also don’t understand old covenant salvation. Under the old covenant, just like the new covenant, salvation was only possible by grace through faith (see Rom. 4:1-12) because no one perfectly kept the Law. Sinners need grace to be saved. So Jesus’ “merit-based” statements to Jews under the Mosaic Law were not words to people whom He thought could earn their salvation until the time when He would die and be resurrected. They were words to sinners to whom He was offering salvation by grace through a faith, but not a temporary or phony faith, but a continuing faith expressed through obedience. It’s so simple, only a theologian could misunderstand it.

Paul’s Final Galatian Confirmation

Contained in Paul’s concluding words to the Galatians is another passage that exposes how wrong hyper-grace teachers are in their interpretation of his words. It’s a passage that should serve as a warning to every hyper-grace teacher:

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary (Gal. 6:7-9, emphasis added).

As Paul described a minute earlier in chapter 5 (which we just read), every Christian faces a battle between the Spirit and the flesh. He declared that those who live lives yielded to their flesh consequently practice the “deeds of the flesh,” and they consequently “will not inherit God’s kingdom.” Paul says the same thing a different way in this passage. We can either “sow to our flesh” or “sow to the Spirit.” The former will “reap corruption,” while the latter will “reap eternal life.” Obviously, the one who “reaps corruption” will not “reap eternal life.” Regardless, sowing to the Spirit, that is, “doing good,” is something we must do to reap eternal life. And we must continue sowing, as Paul wrote, “for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

We should not be surprised that Paul made a similar statement elsewhere:

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God (Rom. 8:12-14, emphasis added).

I italicized the words “brethren” and “we” so you could not miss that Paul was writing to Christians. Paul warned Christians that if they were “living according to the flesh” they would “die.” If, however, they were “putting to death the deeds of the body” they would “live.”

Everyone who teaches that it is impossible for Christians to forfeit their salvation by how they live makes the claim that Paul was warning in this passage, not of spiritual death, but of physical death. But the fallacy of that is exposed in Paul’s promise to those Christians who were “putting to death the deeds of the body” that they will live. If physical death is what Paul had in mind in his warning, then physical life is what he had in mind in his promise. So, was Paul promising Christians who were “putting to death the deeds of the body” that they would never die physically? Obviously not.

2,000 years of history show us that all Christians die physically. Were all of them “living according to the flesh”?

All of this is to say, Christians who don’t “by the Spirit of God put to death the deeds of the body” but who live “according to the flesh,” have no true assurance of eternal life. If they think they do, their “assurance” is a deception.

I should add that the many passages like these in the New Testament epistles remind us of the blessed fact that Christians are not “on their own” regarding their struggle against sin. They have the power of the indwelling Spirit. Still, it is each believer’s responsibility to yield to the Spirit. As Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).

In Conclusion

None of the early apostles advocated the kind of grace being promoted today by hyper-grace teachers, or for that matter, by semi-hyper-grace teachers, the latter of whom exist by the tens of thousands within modern Evangelical Christianity. On the contrary, the apostles relentlessly refuted any notion of a grace that offered a license to sin. Jude solemnly penned:

Certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (Jude 4).

I think it is safe to assume that, had those “ungodly persons” been publicly teaching, “We deny Jesus Christ,” they could not have “crept in unnoticed.” No, their teaching was the subtle introduction of a perverted grace that led naïve Christians to think that holiness was not important, and so that teaching gave them license to indulge in sin. By that, the heretics effectively denied Jesus Christ.

And did you notice that Jude said they denied, not “Jesus Christ,” but denied “our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”? If the grace you promote gives license to sin, you are denying Christ, the Master and Lord. That sounds pretty serious, particularly in light of Jesus’ words, “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:33). Hyper-grace teachers should take note.

The true grace of God, according to Paul, is a temporary opportunity to turn from what will otherwise pull us into hell. It is a temporary opportunity to be forgiven, receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, and begin a new life of devotion to our new Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, before whom all of us must one day stand and give an account for what He entrusted to us. Paul wrote of that grace:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds (Tit. 2:11-14, emphasis added).

God’s grace does not give us a license to sin. Just the opposite. His grace gives us an opportunity to repent of sin and be forgiven of a lifetime of sins, and it empowers us to live righteously if we want to. That is salvation “by grace through faith.”

Note that the very next verse says:

These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you (Tit. 2:15).

And that is what I have tried to do. I could go on with many more relevant scriptures, but hopefully this will be a sufficient foundation on which you can build. For a more in-depth study, see my book, The Great Gospel Deception. — David

The post The Hyper-Grace Twisting of Paul’s Teaching About Salvation appeared first on David Servant.

News sometimes travels very fast among Amish folks! So perhaps you’ve already heard about the Johnsonburg Awakening. I’ve been blessed to have witnessed it from the day it began, which was January 31^st of this year. That was the day I met Jonas ——–, an Amish minister who had been born again a few weeks earlier, and Levi ——–, an Amish bishop who had been born again a few years earlier.

Both of those Amish men, of course, had been baptized when they were teenagers, and according to what many Amish people believe, that is when they were supposed to have been born again. But by the time I met them, they both had come to realize that they had not actually been born again when they were baptized as teenagers. When they were baptized then, they said and did everything they were expected to say and do, but they did not possess a genuine heart-faith in Jesus Christ. It wasn’t until years later that they truly believed in Jesus—as evidenced by their genuine repentance and subsequent heart-obedience to His commandments. That is when they were truly born again.

When someone truly believes in Jesus, Jesus becomes their Lord, because that is who He is. Jesus is Lord, and He is mentioned as “Lord” hundreds of times in the New Testament. If Jesus is not your Lord, you don’t actually believe in Him. You may think you do, but you don’t. As the apostle James wrote, faith without works is dead, useless, and cannot save anyone (see James 2:14-26). And as the apostle Paul wrote, “For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” (Rom. 14:9).

When Jesus becomes someone’s Lord, that is when they are born again. That is the spiritual “regeneration” and “new birth” that are both mentioned in the 1632 Dordrecht Confession (to which all Amish groups subscribe), an experience that was the centerpiece of all the original Anabaptists’ faith. Tragically, the wonderful new birth experience has been lost among many Amish groups today, which is why I am writing this letter. I hope to help Amish people who have lost their spiritual heritage recover it, because Jesus said that unless people are born again, they will never see or enter the kingdom of God (see John 3:3,5). That means, unless you are born again, you will go to hell when you die.

When someone is born again, it is a spiritual rebirth that is accomplished by the Holy Spirit, as Jesus said to Nicodemus (see John 3:1-16). Born-again people are “new creations in Christ” as Paul wrote (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). When people are born again, they start their lives over.  That is why, in the New Testament, the apostles only baptized people who confessed a genuine faith in Jesus (see Acts 8:36-37). Interestingly, the apostles didn’t sprinkle new believers with water, they fully immersed them under water and then lifted them out of the water, which symbolized their death, burial, and resurrection, as well as their cleansing from sin. Being born again is like being raised from the dead! Those who have been truly born again know what I’m talking about!

When I met Jonas and Levi and their wives, it was obvious to me that they were all born again. I was born again myself more than 45 years ago, and I’ve been in vocational ministry for more than 40 years as a pastor and an itinerant teacher. I’ve traveled all over the world teaching the Bible. I’ve personally met thousands of people who have been born again, and all of them have told me of the changes—some very dramatic—that occurred in their lives when they truly believed in Jesus and made Him their Lord. Some were former drunkards, adulterers, liars, thieves, or homosexuals (just like in the Corinthian church; see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). All were sinners to some degree. But when they were born again, their lives were changed. All of them became better people. Even good Amish people become better people when they are born again. Their change might not be as dramatic as those who are not raised in godly, Christian homes, but they are still changed for the better.

And we should not be surprised that born again people are dramatically different from what they were before they were born again. The Bible also teaches that those who are born again are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. When someone truly believes in Jesus, the Holy Spirit, whom the Bible also refers to as God, comes to live on the inside of them (see Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 6:19). Think about that! God comes to live on the inside of those who truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ! How could such a thing happen without it changing the lives of such people? Who would ever believe that God could come to live inside someone and it would not affect that person and their behavior?

So that is what happened to bishop Levi, his wife, minister Jonas, and his wife. And just like the thousands of other born-again people whom I’ve met over the last four decades, those four felt so blessed, and they wanted all their family members and friends to enjoy the same blessing. So we talked on the evening of January 31^st about what could be done to achieve that.

We agreed to start by having a weekly Tuesday evening Bible study that would alternate between Levi’s and Jonas’ houses. And Jonas and Levi decided that they would try to start additional evening Bible studies to which they would invite other Amish people, where they could tell them about being born again and becoming true believers and followers of Jesus.

Before long, there were a total of five weekly Bible studies, and those who attended were also being born again. Just like their Anabaptist forefathers who read a translation of the Bible that was written in the language they used every day (German), they started reading Bibles that were written in the language they use every day: English! They were often surprised at all they learned, and what they learned further changed their lives. Just as Jesus promised them, the Holy Spirit became their teacher, leading them into the truth (see John 16:13).

When those who attended one of those Bible studies truly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and were born again, they of course wanted their families and friends to also be born again. So they told them what had happened to them, and soon the Bible studies increased in size as others were born again. Within two months there were about two dozen adults attending the Bible studies, plus their children, and there were six spiritual generations of Amish people who had believed and led others to genuine faith in Jesus and the new birth. Among the newly-born-again Johnsonburg Amish, there are young people who had a habit of getting drunk every weekend. No longer! As you are reading this, the newly-born-again Johnsonburg Amish are continuing to share the good news of the new birth.

Tragically, because bishop Levi, minister Jonas, their wives, and all of the newly-born again Johnsonburg Amish were part of an Amish community that had lost its spiritual heritage, they were all excommunicated for “adopting a new faith.” The truth, however, is that they all recovered the original faith of the first Anabaptists, as well as the apostles and Jesus. All of those people believed that those who are not born again will never see or enter the kingdom of God (see John 3:3-5). They all believed that being born again was not something that happened at baptism, or that something that happens gradually over years of time, but is something that occurs when people truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and repent. They all believed that being born again is an inward transformation that results in external changes, including sacrificial love for fellow Christians and obedience to Christ’s commandments (see 1 John 2:3; 3:14).

If you doubt me, just read the New Testament in a language you understand, and also read the Dordrecht Confession in a language you understand. Hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of Amish and formerly-Amish people across the country have done just that, and they have been born again and are now experiencing all the blessings that accompany being born again. They know their sins are forgiven (see 1 John 2:2). They know they have eternal life (see 1 John 5:13). They know they are God’s spiritual children and that He is their heavenly Father (see 1 John 3:1). They know they are not destined for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through Jesus Christ (see 1 Thessalonians 5:9). They have the Holy Spirit residing in them, and He is guiding them into holiness and obedience to all of Jesus’ commandments (Rom. 8:9, 14; 1 Cor. 6:19). And they want their Amish family members and friends to experience the same blessing. So they never stop praying for them, and if they are given the chance, they try to tell them about being born again through faith in Jesus Christ.

Anyone who reads the New Testament in a language they understand will see clearly what Levi, Jonas, and all the other newly born-again Amish people in Johnsonburg have seen. If you are uncertain, then read the New Testament for yourself. Trust no one, including me, regarding what God expects of you! Read the Bible for yourself!

Regarding Bible Translations:

In the weekly Johnsonburg Bible studies, everyone has been using various English translations of the Bible. They have not been using the German translation of the Bible for the same reason they have not been using the Spanish, French, Chinese or Russian translation of the Bible—because none of them can read Spanish, French, Chinese or Russian. And none of them can read German, at least not very well.

The Bible has been translated into hundreds of different languages, and for one simple reason, so that people who speak and read those languages can understand the Bible. That is why Martin Luther translated the Bible into German. He wanted the German people who didn’t understand Latin to be able to read a Bible in their own language.

I’m sure you know that the Bible was not originally written in German. Neither Moses, any of the Prophets, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, John, James or Jude ever spoke or wrote in German. Rather, the Bible was originally written in the languages of the people who were alive when it was written, which included Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. And that is why Levi and Jonas use English translations of the Bible at their Bible studies. They want to understand the Bible so they can understand the gospel and obey Jesus. It is just that simple.

If you are alarmed that they are not using the German Bible, please don’t be! Please don’t think that the German translation of the Bible is the only accurate translation among hundreds of translations that exist in hundreds of languages! The truth is, the groups of modern linguistic scholars who have translated many English versions of the Bible have many more ancient biblical manuscripts from which they can translate that were not available to translators like Martin Luther 500 hundred years ago. That is because so many ancient biblical manuscripts have been discovered since then. Modern translations are actually more accurate to the original texts than translations from several hundred years ago. Martin Luther did an excellent job translating the Bible into German. But if you don’t understand German, all his work does not benefit you in the least!

If you do not have an English New Testament, I would be happy to send you one. In fact, I will send you two different translations, the King James Version and the New Living Translation, so that you can compare them. If you are interested in more biblical information about being born again, I would also be happy to send you an article I’ve written titled, “What Does it Really Mean to be Born Again?” Finally, if you would like to speak with either bishop Levi or minister Jonas, they would be happy to talk with you. To make any of these requests, just contact me here.

If you are already born again, then praise God! Follow Jesus with all your heart by obeying all His commandments! Great is your reward in heaven!

If you are not yet born again, you can be! Jesus died for all your sins so that you could have eternal life! You can be born again today and become a “new creation” in Christ! Just read John 3:16 and act upon it!

Sincerely in Christ,

David Servant

James 4:6: God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Ephesians 2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

The post The Joy of the Johnsonburg Awakening appeared first on David Servant.

Christians recognize that God is the Provider who bestows all blessings on us, both great and small. For those who believe this, Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful opportunity to collectively celebrate God’s faithful provision and to give thanks to Him.

Below are several Bible verses to inspire you on this special holiday.

Inspiring Bible Verses for Thanksgiving Day

We should always be thankful to our God who has created all things. This holiday is a reminder to be grateful for all of the bountiful blessings that we have received.

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. – 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; – Colossians 4:2

What the Bible Says About Thanksgiving

Thanking the Lord should be part of our daily lives. In all things, we are to give thanks for He is our mighty Creator and the Rock of our salvation.

I will praise the name of God with song,
And exalt Him with thanksgiving. – Psalm 69:30

Come, let’s sing for joy to the Lord,
Let’s shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
Let’s come before His presence with a song of thanksgiving,
Let’s shout joyfully to Him in songs with instruments.
For the Lord is a great God
And a great King above all gods, – Psalm 95:1-3

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
And His courtyards with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name. – Psalm 100:4

Bible Verses That Will Fill You With Gratitude

As you reflect on the verses below, may you be filled with gratitude towards God.

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. – Colossians 2:6-7

Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. – Colossians 3:15-17

Every Mention of the Word “Thanksgiving” in the Bible

We’ve included all mentions of the word “thanksgiving” in the NASB below. We hope reflecting on these verses will deepen your knowledge of God’s Word!

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in Leviticus

If he offers it by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of well stirred fine flour mixed with oil. – Leviticus 7:12

With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread. – Leviticus 7:13

‘Now as for the flesh of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings, it shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it over until morning. – Leviticus 7:15

When you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted. – Leviticus 22:29

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in 2 Chronicles

Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord, come forward and bring sacrifices and thanksgiving offerings to the house of the Lord.” So the assembly brought sacrifices and thanksgiving offerings, and everyone who was willing brought burnt offerings. – 2 Chronicles 29:31

He set up the altar of the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings and thanksgiving offerings on it; and he ordered Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel. – 2 Chronicles 33:16

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in Nehemiah

and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the leader in beginning the thanksgiving at prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his kinsmen; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. – Nehemiah 11:17

And the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah who was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving, he and his brothers. – Nehemiah 12:8

Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they could celebrate the dedication with joy, with songs of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps, and lyres. – Nehemiah 12:27

For in the days of David and Asaph, in ancient times, there were leaders of the singers, songs of praise and songs of thanksgiving to God. – Nehemiah 12:46

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in Psalms

That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving And declare all Your wonders. – Psalm 26:7

I remember these things and pour out my soul within me. For I used to go over with the multitude and walk them to the house of God, With a voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude celebrating a festival. – Psalm 42:4

Offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving And pay your vows to the Most High; – Psalm 50:14

He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who sets his way properly I will show the salvation of God.” – Psalm 50:23

Your vows are binding upon me, God; I will render thanksgiving offerings to You. – Psalm 56:12

I will praise the name of God with song, And exalt Him with thanksgiving. – Psalm 69:30

I will meditate on all Your work, And on Your deeds with thanksgiving. – Psalm 77:12

Let’s come before His presence with a song of thanksgiving, Let’s shout joyfully to Him in songs with instruments. – Psalm 95:2

A Psalm for thanksgiving.
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. – Psalm 100:1

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courtyards with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. – Psalm 100:4

They shall also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing. – Psalm 107:22

I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And call upon the name of the Lord. – Psalm 116:17

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre; – Psalm 147:7

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in Isaiah

Indeed, the Lord will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her ruins. And He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of a melody. – Isaiah 51:3

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in Jeremiah

They will come in from the cities of Judah and from the areas surrounding Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the lowland, from the hill country, and from the Negev, bringing burnt offerings, sacrifices, grain offerings, and frankincense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving to the house of the Lord. – Jeremiah 17:26

From them will come a song of thanksgiving And the voices of those who celebrate; And I will multiply them and they will not decrease; I will honor them and they will not be insignificant. – Jeremiah 30:19

the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, “Give thanks to the Lord of armies, For the Lord is good, For His mercy is everlasting,” as they bring a thanksgiving offering into the house of the Lord. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first,’ says the Lord. – Jeremiah 33:11

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in Amos

Offer a thanksgiving offering also from that which is leavened, And proclaim voluntary offerings, make them known. For so you love to do, you sons of Israel,” Declares the Lord God. – Amos 4:5

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in Jonah

But I will sacrifice to You With a voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord.” – Jonah 2:9

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in 2 Corinthians

For all things are for your sakes, so that grace, having spread to more and more people, will cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. – 2 Corinthians 4:15

you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:11

For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:12

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in Philippians

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. – Philippians 4:6

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in Colossians

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; – Colossians 4:2

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in 1 Timothy

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, – 1 Timothy 2:1

Bible Verses About Thanksgiving in Revelation

saying, “Amen, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.” – Revelation 7:12

The post Bible Verses About Thanksgiving appeared first on David Servant.

We’ve collected several verses below about the Holy Spirit. We’ve also included every mention of the word “Holy Spirit” in the NASB translation. We hope that these verses are a help to you as you study God’s Word.

What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit Being God

Below are two Bible verses that reveal that the Holy Spirit is one Person with God, while also being a separate Person.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. – 2 Corinthians 3:17

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. – 2 Corinthians 13:14

Bible Verses About the Power of the Holy Spirit Working Within Us

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just help us in our ministry but also in developing godly character.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. – Acts 19:5-6

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22–23

Bible Verses About the Holy Spirit Empowering Christians To Share God’s Word

The Holy Spirit gives us the boldness to be witnesses for Christ here on earth. Below are some verses that show how the Spirit empowers believers.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:19-20

And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. – Acts 4:31

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth. – Acts 1:8

Every Mention of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

We’ve included all mentions of the Holy Spirit in the NASB below. We hope reflecting on these verses will deepen your knowledge of God’s Word!

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in Isaiah

But they rebelled And grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them. – Isaiah 63:10

Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses. Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them, – Isaiah 63:11

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in Matthew

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 1:18

But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 1:20

“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. – Matthew 3:11

And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. – Matthew 12:32

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, – Matthew 28:19

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in Mark

I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” – Mark 1:8

but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” — Mark 3:29

David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ – Mark 12:36

And when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you at that time; for you are not the ones speaking, but it is the Holy Spirit. – Mark 13:11

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in Luke

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. – Luke 1:15

The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason also the holy Child will be called the Son of God. – Luke 1:35

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. – Luke 1:41

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying: – Luke 1:67

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. – Luke 2:25

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. – Luke 2:26

John responded to them all, saying, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but He is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the straps of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. – Luke 3:16

and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased.” – Luke 3:22

Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness – Luke 4:1

At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for doing so was well pleasing in Your sight. – Luke 10:21

So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” – Luke 11:13

And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him. – Luke 12:10

for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” – Luke 12:12

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in John

And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ – John 1:33

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. – John 14:26

And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. – John 20:22

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in Acts

until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. – Acts 1:2

for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” – Acts 1:5

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. – Acts 1:16

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out. – Acts 2:4

Therefore, since He has been exalted at the right hand of God, and has received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this which you both see and hear. – Acts 2:33

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2:38

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, – Acts 4:8

who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘Why were the nations insolent, And the peoples plotting in vain? – Acts 4:25

And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. – Acts 4:31

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? – Acts 5:3

And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” – Acts 5:32

The announcement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. – Acts 6:5

“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. – Acts 7:51

But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; – Acts 7:55

who came down and prayed for them that they would receive the Holy Spirit. – Acts 8:15

Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. – Acts 8:17

saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 8:19

So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 9:17

So the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed peace, as it was being built up; and as it continued in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it kept increasing. – Acts 9:31

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. – Acts 10:38

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. – Acts 10:44

All the Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the Gentiles. – Acts 10:45

“Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” – Acts 10:47

And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. – Acts 11:15

And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ – Acts 11:16

for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And considerable numbers were added to the Lord. – Acts 11:24

While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.” – Acts 13:2

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. – Acts 13:4

But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, stared at him, – Acts 13:9

And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. – Acts 13:52

And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; – Acts 15:8

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: – Acts 15:28

They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; – Acts 16:6

He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “On the contrary, we have not even heard if there is a Holy Spirit.” – Acts 19:2

And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. – Acts 19:6

except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me. – Acts 20:23

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. – Acts 20:28

And he came to us and took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’” – Acts 21:11

And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, – Acts 28:25

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in Romans

and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. – Romans 5:5

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, – Romans 9:1

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. – Romans 14:17

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:16

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? – 1 Corinthians 6:19

Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 12:3

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in 2 Corinthians

in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, – 2 Corinthians 6:6

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. – 2 Corinthians 13:14

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in Ephesians

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, – Ephesians 1:13

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in 1 Thessalonians

for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sakes. – 1 Thessalonians 1:5

You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word during great affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit, – 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. – 1 Thessalonians 4:8

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in 2 Timothy

Protect, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. – 2 Timothy 1:14

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in Titus

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, – Titus 3:5

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in Hebrews

God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. – Hebrews 2:4

Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His voice, – Hebrews 3:7

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, – Hebrews 6:4

The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, – Hebrews 9:8

And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, – Hebrews 10:15

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in 1 Peter

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. – 1 Peter 1:12

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in 2 Peter

for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. – 2 Peter 1:21

Bible Verses About Holy Spirit in Jude

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, – Jude 1:20

The post Bible Verses About The Holy Spirit appeared first on David Servant.

Work is honorable, according to Scripture, no matter what kind of job you have. Below is a collection of Bible verses to help inspire and encourage you in your work.

Bible Verses About Work for Motivation

Below are several Bible verses to motivate you when you feel frustrated in your work.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. – Colossians 3:23-24

It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it. – Proverbs 10:22

May the kindness of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands. – Psalm 90:17

Bible Verses About Serving God Through Your Work

One of the most fulfilling things in life is serving God. Below are several verses to inspire you as you continue your service to God.

But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace. – Acts 20:24

All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. – John 14:12

Bible Verses About Working Faithfully

Below are two encouraging scriptures to encourage you to work faithfully.

And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? – 1 Peter 3:13

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ – Matthew 25:23

Every Mention of the Word “Work” in the Bible

We’ve included all mentions of the word “work” in the NASB translation below. We hope reflecting on these verses will deepen your knowledge of God’s Word!

Bible Verses About Work in Genesis

By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. – Genesis 2:2

Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. – Genesis 2:3

And he named him Noah, saying, “This one will give us comfort from our work and from the hard labor of our hands caused by the ground which the Lord has cursed.” – Genesis 5:29

Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the people of the household was there inside. – Genesis 39:11

Bible Verses About Work in Exodus

But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you let the people neglect their work? Get back to your labors!” – Exodus 5:4

Let the labor be heavier on the men, and have them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.” – Exodus 5:9

And the taskmasters pressed them, saying, “Complete your work quota, your daily amount, just as when you had straw.” – Exodus 5:13

So go now and work; for you will be given no straw, but you must deliver the quota of bricks.” – Exodus 5:18

“When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, so that it may turn into a serpent.’” – Exodus 7:9

And on the first day you shall have a holy assembly, and another holy assembly on the seventh day; no work at all shall be done on them, except for what must be eaten by every person—that alone may be prepared by you. – Exodus 12:16

A stranger or a hired worker shall not eat it. – Exodus 12:45

Who is like You among the gods, Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders? – Exodus 15:11

then admonish them about the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. – Exodus 18:20

For six days you shall labor and do all your work, – Exodus 20:9

but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the Lord your God; on it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male slave or your female slave, or your cattle, or your resident who stays with you. – Exodus 20:10

“For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as the stranger residing with you, may refresh themselves. – Exodus 23:12

You shall make two cherubim of gold; make them of hammered work at the two ends of the atoning cover. – Exodus 25:18

“Then you shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand, its base and its shaft, are to be made of hammered work; its cups, its bulbs, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. – Exodus 25:31

Their bulbs and their branches shall be of one piece with it; all of it shall be one piece of hammered work of pure gold. – Exodus 25:36

“Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and violet, purple, and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer. – Exodus 26:1

“You shall also make a veil of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer. – Exodus 26:31

“You shall also make a curtain for the doorway of the tent of violet, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver. – Exodus 26:36

And for the gate of the courtyard there shall be a curtain of twenty cubits, of violet, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver, with their four pillars and their four bases. – Exodus 27:16

And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a tunic of checkered work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that he may serve as priest to Me. – Exodus 28:4

“They shall also make the ephod of gold, of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen, the work of the skilled embroiderer. – Exodus 28:6

The skillfully woven band of its overlay, which is on it, shall be like its workmanship, of the same material: of gold, of violet and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. – Exodus 28:8

and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them of twisted cord work, and you shall put the corded chains on the filigree settings. – Exodus 28:14

“You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skilled embroiderer; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen you shall make it. – Exodus 28:15

You shall also make on the breastpiece twisted chains of cord work in pure gold. – Exodus 28:22

There shall be an opening at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of woven work, like the opening of a coat of mail, so that it will not be torn. – Exodus 28:32

“And you shall weave the tunic of checkered work of fine linen, and shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash, the work of a weaver. – Exodus 28:39

You shall make from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant mixture of ointments, the work of a perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. – Exodus 30:25

You shall make incense from it all, a skillful mixture, the work of a perfumer, salted, pure, and holy. – Exodus 30:35

to create artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, – Exodus 31:4

and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, so that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. – Exodus 31:5

Therefore you are to keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it must be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. – Exodus 31:14

For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. – Exodus 31:15

The tablets were God’s work, and the writing was God’s writing engraved on the tablets. – Exodus 32:16

Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you. – Exodus 34:10

“You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest. – Exodus 34:21

“For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the Lord; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. – Exodus 35:2

And everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the Lord’s contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service, and for the holy garments. – Exodus 35:21

Everyone who could make a contribution of silver and bronze brought the Lord’s contribution; and everyone who was in possession of acacia wood for any work of the service brought it. – Exodus 35:24

The Israelites, all the men and women, whose heart moved them to bring material for all the work, which the Lord had commanded through Moses to be done, brought a voluntary offering to the Lord. – Exodus 35:29

to create designs for working in gold, in silver, and in bronze, – Exodus 35:32

and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work. – Exodus 35:33

He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver, of a designer, and of an embroiderer, in violet, purple, and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs. – Exodus 35:35

Now Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with everything that the Lord has commanded.” – Exodus 36:1

Then Moses called Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. – Exodus 36:2

They received from Moses every contribution which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him voluntary offerings every morning. – Exodus 36:3

And all the skillful people who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which they were performing, – Exodus 36:4

and they said to Moses, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.” – Exodus 36:5

So Moses issued a command, and circulated a proclamation throughout the camp, saying, “No man or woman is to perform work any longer for the contributions of the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing any more. – Exodus 36:6

For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it. – Exodus 36:7

All the skillful people among those who were performing the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twisted linen and violet, purple, and scarlet material, with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer, Bezalel made them. – Exodus 36:8

Moreover, he made the veil of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen; he made it with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer. – Exodus 36:35

He also made a curtain for the doorway of the tent, of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver; – Exodus 36:37

And he made two cherubim of gold; he made them of hammered work at the two ends of the atoning cover: – Exodus 37:7

Then he made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of hammered work, its base and its shaft; its cups, its bulbs, and its flowers were of one piece with it. – Exodus 37:17

Their bulbs and their branches were of one piece with it; the whole of it was a single hammered work of pure gold. – Exodus 37:22

Then he made the holy anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense of spices, the work of a perfumer. – Exodus 37:29

Now the curtain of the gate of the courtyard was the work of the weaver, of violet, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. And the length was twenty cubits and the height was five cubits, corresponding to the hangings of the courtyard. – Exodus 38:18

All the gold that was used for the work, in all the work of the sanctuary, which was the gold of the wave offering, was twenty-nine talents and 730 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. – Exodus 38:24

Then they hammered out gold sheets and cut them into threads to be woven in with the violet, the purple, and the scarlet material, and the fine linen, the work of a skilled embroiderer. – Exodus 39:3

And the skillfully woven band of its overlay which was on it was like its workmanship, of the same material: of gold and of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. – Exodus 39:5

And he made the breastpiece, the work of a skilled embroiderer, like the workmanship of the ephod: of gold and of violet, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. – Exodus 39:8

And they made for the breastpiece chains like cords, work of twisted cords of pure gold. – Exodus 39:15

Then he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of violet; – Exodus 39:22

and the sash of fine twisted linen, and violet, purple, and scarlet material, the work of the weaver, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. – Exodus 39:29

So all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was completed; and the sons of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did. – Exodus 39:32

So the sons of Israel did all the work according to everything that the Lord had commanded Moses. – Exodus 39:42

And Moses examined all the work, and behold, they had done it; just as the Lord had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them. – Exodus 39:43

And he erected the courtyard all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the curtain for the gate of the courtyard. So Moses finished the work. – Exodus 40:33

Bible Verses About Work in Leviticus

“This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work, whether the native, or the stranger who resides among you; – Leviticus 16:29

‘You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired worker are not to remain with you all night until morning. – Leviticus 19:13

‘No layman, however, is to eat the holy gift; a foreign resident with the priest or a hired worker shall not eat the holy gift. – Leviticus 22:10

‘For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwellings. – Leviticus 23:3

On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. – Leviticus 23:7

But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.’” – Leviticus 23:8

On this very day you shall make a proclamation as well; you are to have a holy convocation. You shall do no laborious work. It is to be a permanent statute in all your dwelling places throughout your generations. – Leviticus 23:21

You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.’” – Leviticus 23:25

You shall not do any work on this very day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the Lord your God. – Leviticus 23:28

As for any person who does any work on this very day, that person I will eliminate from among his people. – Leviticus 23:30

You shall not do any work. It is to be a permanent statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. – Leviticus 23:31

On the first day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. – Leviticus 23:35

For seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to the Lord; it is an assembly. You shall not do any laborious work. – Leviticus 23:36

All of you shall have the Sabbath produce of the land as food; for yourself, your male and female slaves, and your hired worker and your foreign resident, those who live as strangers among you. – Leviticus 25:6

He shall be with you as a hired worker, as if he were a foreign resident; he shall serve with you up to the year of jubilee. – Leviticus 25:40

He then, with his purchaser, shall calculate from the year when he sold himself to him up to the year of jubilee; and the price of his sale shall correspond to the number of years calculated. It is like the days of a hired worker that he will be with him. – Leviticus 25:50

He shall be with him like a worker hired year by year; he shall not rule over him with severity in your sight. – Leviticus 25:53

Bible Verses About Work in Numbers

from thirty years old and upward, even to fifty years old, everyone who can enter the service of ministry to do work in the tent of meeting. – Numbers 4:3

This is the work of the descendants of Kohath in the tent of meeting, concerning the most holy things. – Numbers 4:4

Rather, do this for them so that they will live and not die when they approach the most holy objects: Aaron and his sons shall go in and assign each of them to his work and to his load; – Numbers 4:19

from thirty years old and upward to fifty years old you shall count them: all who can enter to perform service, to do the work in the tent of meeting. – Numbers 4:23

All the service of the sons of the Gershonites, that is, all their loads and all their work, shall be performed at the command of Aaron and his sons; and you shall assign to them as a duty all their loads. – Numbers 4:27

from thirty years old and upward, even to fifty years old, you shall count them, everyone who can enter the service to do the work of the tent of meeting. – Numbers 4:30

from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who could enter the service for work in the tent of meeting. – Numbers 4:35

from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who could enter the service for work in the tent of meeting— Numbers 4:39

from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who could enter the service for work in the tent of meeting— Numbers 4:43

from thirty years old and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who could enter to do the work of service and the work of carrying in the tent of meeting— Numbers 4:47

Now this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold; from its base to its flower ornamentation it was hammered work; according to the pattern which the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand. – Numbers 8:4

“This is what applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall enter to perform service in the work of the tent of meeting. – Numbers 8:24

But at the age of fifty years they shall retire from service in the work and not work anymore. – Numbers 8:25

They may, however, assist their brothers in the tent of meeting, to fulfill an obligation, but they themselves shall do no work. In this way you shall deal with the Levites in their obligations.” – Numbers 8:26

“Make yourself two trumpets of silver, you shall make them of hammered work; and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and breaking camp. – Numbers 10:2

On the first day there shall be a holy assembly; you shall do no laborious work. – Numbers 28:18

On the seventh day you shall have a holy assembly; you shall do no laborious work. – Numbers 28:25

‘Also on the day of the first fruits, when you present a new grain offering to the Lord in your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy assembly; you shall do no laborious work. – Numbers 28:26

‘Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy assembly; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets. – Numbers 29:1

‘Then on the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy assembly, and you shall humble yourselves; you shall not do any work. – Numbers 29:7

‘Then on the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy assembly; you shall do no laborious work, and you shall celebrate with a feast to the Lord for seven days. – Numbers 29:12

‘On the eighth day you shall have a sacred assembly; you shall do no laborious work. – Numbers 29:35

And you shall purify for yourselves every garment, every article of leather, every work of goats’ hair, and every article of wood.” – Numbers 31:20

Bible Verses About Work in Deuteronomy

‘Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? – Deuteronomy 3:24

There you will serve gods, the work of human hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear, nor eat nor smell anything. – Deuteronomy 4:28

For six days you shall labor and do all your work, – Deuteronomy 5:13

but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the Lord your God; you shall not do any work that day, you or your son or your daughter, or your male slave or your female slave, or your ox, your donkey, or any of your cattle, or your resident who stays with you, so that your male slave and your female slave may rest as well as you. – Deuteronomy 5:14

and His signs and His works which He did in the midst of Egypt to Pharaoh the king of Egypt and to all his land; – Deuteronomy 11:3

but your own eyes have seen all the great work of the Lord which He did. – Deuteronomy 11:7

And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the stranger, the orphan, and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do. – Deuteronomy 14:29

You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your work, and in all your undertakings. – Deuteronomy 15:10

“It shall not seem difficult for you when you set him free, because he has given you six years with double the service of a hired worker; so the Lord your God will bless you in whatever you do. – Deuteronomy 15:18

“You shall consecrate to the Lord your God all the firstborn males that are born in your herd and in your flock; you shall not work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. – Deuteronomy 15:19

For six days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a festive assembly to the Lord your God; you shall do no work on it. – Deuteronomy 16:8

or seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful. – Deuteronomy 16:15

And it shall be that the city which is nearest to the person killed, that is, that the elders of that city shall take a heifer of the herd that has not been worked and has not pulled in a yoke; – Deuteronomy 21:3

“You shall not exploit a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your countrymen or one of your strangers who are in your land in your towns. – Deuteronomy 24:14

“When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you are not to go back to get it; it shall belong to the stranger, the orphan, and to the widow, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. – Deuteronomy 24:19

‘Cursed is the person who makes a carved image or cast metal image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of a craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall reply and say, ‘Amen.’ – Deuteronomy 27:15

The Lord will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless every work of your hand; and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. – Deuteronomy 28:12

Then the Lord your God will prosper you abundantly in every work of your hand, in the children of your womb, the offspring of your cattle, and in the produce of your ground, for the Lord will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers; – Deuteronomy 30:9

For I know that after my death you will behave very corruptly and turn from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will confront you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him to anger with the work of your hands.” – Deuteronomy 31:29

The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and just is He. – Deuteronomy 32:4

Lord, bless his strength, And accept the work of his hands; Smash the hips of those who rise up against him, And those who hate him, so that they do not rise again.” – Deuteronomy 33:11

Bible Verses About Work in Judges

The people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the Lord which He had done for Israel. – Judges 2:7

All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and another generation rose up after them who did not know the Lord, nor even the work which He had done for Israel. – Judges 2:10

She reached out her hand for the tent peg, And her right hand for the workmen’s hammer. Then she struck Sisera, she smashed his head; And she shattered and pierced his temple. – Judges 5:26

Then behold, an old man was coming out of the field from his work at evening. Now the man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he was staying in Gibeah, but the men of the place were Benjaminites. – Judges 19:16

Bible Verses About Work in Ruth

May the Lord reward your work, and may your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” – Ruth 2:12

Her mother-in-law then said to her, “Where did you glean today and where did you work? May he who took notice of you be blessed.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz.” – Ruth 2:19

Bible Verses About Work in 1 Samuel

He will also take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and use them for his work. – 1 Samuel 8:16

I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the Lord.’ So I worked up the courage and offered the burnt offering.” – 1 Samuel 13:12

Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come, and let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men; perhaps the Lord will work for us, because the Lord is not limited to saving by many or by few!” – 1 Samuel 14:6

But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, he who has brought about this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, not even a hair of his head shall fall to the ground, because he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die. – 1 Samuel 14:45

Bible Verses About Work in 2 Samuel

He also brought out the people who were in it, and put some to work at saws, iron picks, and iron axes, and made others serve at the brick works. And he did the same to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. – 2 Samuel 12:31

Bible Verses About Work in 1 Kings

besides Solomon’s 3,300 chief deputies who were in charge of the project and ruled over the people who were doing the work. – 1 Kings 5:16

He carved on it cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers; and he overlaid them with gold plated on the carved work. – 1 Kings 6:35

And his house where he was to live, the other courtyard inward from the hall, was of this same workmanship. He also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom Solomon had married. – 1 Kings 7:8

He was a widow’s son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, an artisan in bronze; and he was filled with wisdom, skill, and knowledge for doing any work in bronze. So he came to King Solomon and performed all his work. – 1 Kings 7:14

On the top of the pillars was the lily design. So the work of the pillars was finished. – 1 Kings 7:22

and on the borders which were between the crossbars were lions, oxen, and cherubim; and on the crossbars there was a pedestal above, and beneath the lions and oxen were wreaths of hanging work. – 1 Kings 7:29

The workmanship of the wheels was like the workmanship of a chariot wheel. Their axles, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all cast. – 1 Kings 7:33

Now Hiram made the basins and the shovels and the bowls. So Hiram finished doing all the work which he performed for King Solomon in the house of the Lord: – 1 Kings 7:40

So all the work that King Solomon performed in the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the offerings vowed by his father David, the silver and the gold and the utensils, and he put them in the treasuries of the house of the Lord. – 1 Kings 7:51

These were the chief officers who were in charge of Solomon’s work, 550, who ruled over the people doing the work. – 1 Kings 9:23

Moreover, the word of the Lord through the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came against Baasha and his household, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands, by being like the house of Jeroboam, and because he struck it. – 1 Kings 16:7

Bible Verses About Work in 2 Kings

And they handed the money which was assessed over to those who did the work, who had the oversight of the house of the Lord; and they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked on the house of the Lord; – 2 Kings 12:11

for they gave that to those who did the work, and with it they repaired the house of the Lord. – 2 Kings 12:14

Moreover, they did not require an accounting from the men into whose hands they gave the money to pay to those who did the work, because they acted faithfully. – 2 Kings 12:15

Now King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and he saw the altar which was at Damascus; and King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the pattern of the altar and its model, according to all its workmanship. – 2 Kings 16:10

and have hurled their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but only the work of human hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. – 2 Kings 19:18

And have them hand it over to the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord, and have them give it to the workmen who are in the house of the Lord to repair the damage to the house: – 2 Kings 22:5

Then Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought back word to the king and said, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have handed it over to the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.” – 2 Kings 22:9

Since they have abandoned Me and have burned incense to other gods so that they may provoke Me to anger with all the work of their hands, My wrath burns against this place, and it shall not be quenched.’” – 2 Kings 22:17

Bible Verses About Work in 1 Chronicles

The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were Er the father of Lecah and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of the linen workers at Beth-ashbea; – 1 Chronicles 4:21

These were the potters and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah; they lived there with the king for his work.
– 1 Chronicles 4:23

But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the Most Holy Place, and to make atonement for Israel, in accordance with everything that Moses the servant of God had commanded. – 1 Chronicles 6:49

and their relatives, heads of their fathers’ households, 1,760 competent men for the work of the service of the house of God. – 1 Chronicles 9:13

Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his relatives of his father’s house, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the service, doorkeepers of the tent; and their fathers had been in charge of the camp of the Lord, keepers of the entrance. – 1 Chronicles 9:19

Now these are the singers, heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, who lived in the chambers of the temple free of other duties; for they were engaged in their work day and night. – 1 Chronicles 9:33

So he left Asaph and his relatives there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required, – 1 Chronicles 16:37

He brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work at saws, iron picks, and axes. And David did the same to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. – 1 Chronicles 20:3

Moreover there are many workmen with you, stonecutters, masons of stone, and carpenters; and all of them are skillful in every kind of work. – 1 Chronicles 22:15

Of the gold, silver, bronze, and iron there is no limit. Arise and work, and may the Lord be with you.” – 1 Chronicles 22:16

Of these, twenty-four thousand were to oversee the work of the house of the Lord; and six thousand were officers and judges, – 1 Chronicles 23:4

These were the sons of Levi according to their fathers’ households, the heads of the fathers’ households of those among them who were counted, in the number of names by their head count, doing the work for the service of the house of the Lord, from twenty years old and upward. – 1 Chronicles 23:24

For their office is to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the house of the Lord, in the courtyards and in the chambers, and in the purification of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God, – 1 Chronicles 23:28

As for the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 capable men, were responsible for the affairs of Israel west of the Jordan, for all the work of the Lord and the service of the king. – 1 Chronicles 26:30

Ezri the son of Chelub was responsible for the agricultural workers who tilled the soil. – 1 Chronicles 27:26

also for the divisions of the priests and the Levites and for all the work of the service of the house of the Lord and for all the utensils of service in the house of the Lord; – 1 Chronicles 28:13

Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. – 1 Chronicles 28:20

Now behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God, and every willing man of any skill will be with you in all the work for all kinds of service. The officials also and all the people will be entirely at your command.” – 1 Chronicles 28:21

Then King David said to the entire assembly, “My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and inexperienced, and the work is great; for the temple is not for mankind, but for the Lord God. – 1 Chronicles 29:1

gold for the things of gold and silver for the things of silver, that is, for all the work done by the craftsmen. Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?” – 1 Chronicles 29:5

Then the rulers of the fathers’ households, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, and the commanders of thousands and hundreds, with the supervisors of the king’s work, offered willingly; – 1 Chronicles 29:6

Bible Verses About Work in 2 Chronicles

Now send me a skilled man to work in gold, silver, brass, iron, and in purple, crimson, and violet fabrics, one who knows how to make engravings, to work with the skilled workers whom I have in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David provided. – 2 Chronicles 2:7

Send me also cedar, juniper, and algum timber from Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut timber of Lebanon; and indeed my servants will work with your servants, – 2 Chronicles 2:8

the son of a Danite woman and a Tyrian father, who knows how to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and in purple, violet, linen, and crimson fabrics, and who knows how to make all kinds of engravings and to execute any design which is assigned to him, to work with your skilled workers and with those of my lord, your father David. – 2 Chronicles 2:14

He appointed seventy thousand of them to carry loads and eighty thousand to quarry stones in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors to make the people work. – 2 Chronicles 2:18

He made the veil of violet, purple, crimson, and fine linen, and he worked cherubim into it. – 2 Chronicles 3:14

Huram also made the pails, the shovels, and the bowls. So Huram finished the work that he did for King Solomon in the house of God: – 2 Chronicles 4:11

So all the work that Solomon performed for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that his father David had dedicated, the silver, the gold, and all the utensils, and he put them in the treasuries of the house of God. – 2 Chronicles 5:1

But Solomon did not make slaves from the sons of Israel for his work; for they were men of war, his chief captains and commanders of his chariots and his horsemen. – 2 Chronicles 8:9

So all the work of Solomon was carried out from the day of the foundation of the house of the Lord, until it was finished. So the house of the Lord was completed. – 2 Chronicles 8:16

But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not abandoned Him; and the sons of Aaron are ministering to the Lord as priests, and the Levites attend to their work. – 2 Chronicles 13:10

But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is a reward for your work.” – 2 Chronicles 15:7

When Baasha heard about it, he stopped fortifying Ramah and put an end to his work. – 2 Chronicles 16:5

Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.” So the ships were wrecked and could not go to Tarshish. – 2 Chronicles 20:37

He gathered the priests and Levites and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah and collect money from all Israel to repair the house of your God annually, and you shall do the work quickly.” But the Levites did not act quickly. – 2 Chronicles 24:5

The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of the house of the Lord; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of the Lord, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the Lord. – 2 Chronicles 24:12

So the workmen labored, and the repair work progressed in their hands, and they restored the house of God according to its specifications and strengthened it. – 2 Chronicles 24:13

In Jerusalem he made machines of war invented by skillful workmen to be on the towers and the corners, for the purpose of shooting arrows and great stones. So his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong. – 2 Chronicles 26:15

But the priests were too few, so that they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was finished and the other priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests. – 2 Chronicles 29:34

without regard to their genealogical enrollment, to the males from thirty years old and upward—everyone who entered the house of the Lord for his daily obligations—for their work in their duties according to their divisions; – 2 Chronicles 31:16

Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in the Law and in the commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered. – 2 Chronicles 31:21

And he resolutely set to work and rebuilt all of the wall that had been broken down and erected towers on it, and built another outside wall and strengthened the Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in great numbers. – 2 Chronicles 32:5

They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they did against the gods of the peoples of the earth, the work of human hands. – 2 Chronicles 32:19

Then they handed it over to the workmen who had the oversight of the house of the Lord, and the workmen who were working in the house of the Lord used it to restore and repair the house. – 2 Chronicles 34:10

The men did the work faithfully with foremen over them to supervise: Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites of the sons of Merari, Zechariah and Meshullam of the sons of the Kohathites, and the Levites, all who were skillful with musical instruments. – 2 Chronicles 34:12

They were also in charge of the burden bearers, and supervised all the workmen from job to job; and some of the Levites were scribes, and officials, and gatekeepers. – 2 Chronicles 34:13

They have also emptied out the money which was found in the house of the Lord, and have handed it over to the supervisors and the workmen.” – 2 Chronicles 34:17

Since they have abandoned Me and have burned incense to other gods, so that they may provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands, My wrath will be poured out on this place and it will not be quenched.”’ – 2 Chronicles 34:25

Bible Verses About Work in Ezra

According to their ability they gave to the treasury for the work sixty-one thousand gold drachmas, five thousand silver minas, and a hundred priestly garments. – Ezra 2:69

Now in the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites, and all who came from the captivity to Jerusalem, began the work and appointed the Levites who were twenty years old and upward to oversee the work of the house of the Lord. – Ezra 3:8

Then Jeshua with his sons and brothers stood united with Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah and the sons of Henadad with their sons and brothers the Levites, to oversee the workmen in the temple of God. – Ezra 3:9

Now issue a decree to make those men stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me. – Ezra 4:21

Then work on the house of God in Jerusalem was discontinued, and it was stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. – Ezra 4:24

May it be known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God which is being built with large stones, and beams are being laid in the walls; and this work is being performed with great care and is succeeding in their hands. – Ezra 5:8

Leave that work on the house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild that house of God on its site. – Ezra 6:7

And they held the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, because the Lord had made them happy, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. – Ezra 6:22

Bible Verses About Work in Nehemiah

However, the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing; nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the rest who were doing the work. – Nehemiah 2:16

And I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let’s arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. – Nehemiah 2:18

Moreover, next to him the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not support the work of their masters. – Nehemiah 3:5

So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. – Nehemiah 4:6

And our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them, and put a stop to the work.” – Nehemiah 4:11

Now when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. – Nehemiah 4:15

And from that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them kept hold of the spears, the shields, the bows, and the coats of mail; and the captains were behind all the house of Judah. – Nehemiah 4:16

Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens carried with one hand doing the work, and the other keeping hold of a weapon. – Nehemiah 4:17

And I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. – Nehemiah 4:19

So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared. – Nehemiah 4:21

I also applied myself to the work on this wall; we did not buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. – Nehemiah 5:16

So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and am unable to come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” – Nehemiah 6:3

For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, God, strengthen my hands. – Nehemiah 6:9

Remember, my God, Tobiah and Sanballat in accordance with these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets, who were trying to frighten me. – Nehemiah 6:14

When all our enemies heard about it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they realized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. – Nehemiah 6:16

Some of the heads of fathers’ households gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury a thousand gold drachmas, fifty basins, and 530 priests’ garments. – Nehemiah 7:70

And some of the heads of fathers’ households gave to the treasury for the work twenty thousand gold drachmas and 2,200 silver minas. – Nehemiah 7:71

for the showbread, for the continual grain offering, for the continual burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moons, for the appointed times, for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the work of the house of our God. – Nehemiah 10:33

and their kinsmen who did the work of the temple, 822; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, – Nehemiah 11:12

and Shabbethai and Jozabad, from the leaders of the Levites, who were in charge of the outside work of the house of God; – Nehemiah 11:16

So I purified them from everything foreign, and assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each in his work, – Nehemiah 13:30

Bible Verses About Work in Job

Have You not made a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. – Job 1:10

“Is a person not forced to labor on earth, And are his days not like the days of a hired worker? – Job 7:1

As a slave pants for the shade, And as a hired worker who eagerly waits for his wages, – Job 7:2

It is He who does great things, the unfathomable, And wondrous works without number. – Job 9:10

Is it right for You indeed to oppress, To reject the work of Your hands, And to look favorably on the plan of the wicked? – Job 10:3

Look away from him so that he may rest, Until he fulfills his day like a hired worker. – Job 14:6

You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for the work of Your hands. – Job 14:15

Who goes in company with the workers of injustice, And walks with wicked people? – Job 34:8

For He repays a person for his work, And lets things happen in correspondence to a man’s behavior. – Job 34:11

Who shows no partiality to the prominent, Nor regards the rich as above the poor, Since they are all the work of His hands? – Job 34:19

There is no darkness or deep shadow Where the workers of injustice can hide themselves. – Job 34:22

Then He declares to them their work And their wrongdoings, that they have been arrogant. – Job 36:9

“Remember that you are to exalt His work, Of which people have sung.- Job 36:24

He seals the hand of every person, So that all people may know His work. – Job 37:7

Bible Verses About Work in Psalms

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have set in place; – Psalm 8:3

You have him rule over the works of Your hands; You have put everything under his feet, – Psalm 8:6

The Lord has made Himself known; He has executed judgment. A wicked one is ensnared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion Selah – Psalm 9:16

Do all the workers of injustice not know, Who devour my people as they eat bread, And do not call upon the Lord? – Psalm 14:4

As for the works of mankind, by the word of Your lips I have kept from the ways of the violent. – Psalm 17:4

For the music director. A Psalm of David.
The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of His hands. – Psalm 19:1

Give back to them according to their work and according to the evil of their practices; Give back to them according to the work of their hands; Repay them what is due them. – Psalm 28:4

Because they do not regard the works of the Lord Nor the deeds of His hands, He will tear them down and not build them up. – Psalm 28:5

For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in faithfulness. – Psalm 33:4

He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. – Psalm 33:15

For the music director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.
God, we have heard with our ears, Our fathers have told us The work that You did in their days, In the days of old. – Psalm 44:1

Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has inflicted horrific events on the earth. – Psalm 46:8

Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. – Psalm 52:2

Have the workers of injustice no knowledge, Who eat up My people like they ate bread, And have not called upon God? – Psalm 53:4

And faithfulness is Yours, Lord, For You reward a person according to his work. – Psalm 62:12

Hide me from the secret discussion of evildoers, From the restlessness of the workers of injustice, – Psalm 64:2

Then all people will fear, And they will declare the work of God, And will consider what He has done. – Psalm 64:9

Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will pretend to obey You. – Psalm 66:3

Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of mankind. – Psalm 66:5

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders. – Psalm 72:18

But as for me, the nearness of God is good for me; I have made the Lord God my refuge, So that I may tell of all Your works. – Psalm 73:28

And now they break down all its carved work With axe and hammers. – Psalm 74:6

For the music director; set to Al-tashheth. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song.
We give thanks to You, God, we give thanks, For Your name is near; People declare Your wondrous works. – Psalm 75:1

I will meditate on all Your work, And on Your deeds with thanksgiving. – Psalm 77:12

You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. – Psalm 77:14

We will not conceal them from their children, But we will tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His power and His wondrous works that He has done. – Psalm 78:4

So that they would put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But comply with His commandments, – Psalm 78:7

In spite of all this they still sinned And did not believe in His wonderful works. – Psalm 78:32

There is no one like You among the gods, Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. – Psalm 86:8

Let Your work appear to Your servants And Your majesty to their children. – Psalm 90:16

May the kindness of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands. – Psalm 90:17

For You, Lord, have made me joyful by what You have done, I will sing for joy over the works of Your hands. – Psalm 92:4

How great are Your works, Lord! Your thoughts are very deep. – Psalm 92:5

“When your fathers put Me to the test, They tested Me, though they had seen My work. – Psalm 95:9

I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. – Psalm 101:3

In time of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. – Psalm 102:25

Bless the Lord, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, my soul! – Psalm 103:22

He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works. – Psalm 104:13

A person goes out to his work And to his labor until evening. – Psalm 104:23

Lord, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions. – Psalm 104:24

May the glory of the Lord endure forever; May the Lord rejoice in His works; – Psalm 104:31

They quickly forgot His works; They did not wait for His plan, – Psalm 106:13

They shall also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing. – Psalm 107:22

They have seen the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep. – Psalm 107:24

Great are the works of the Lord; They are studied by all who delight in them. – Psalm 111:2

Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness endures forever. – Psalm 111:3

He has made known to His people the power of His works, In giving them the inheritance of the nations. – Psalm 111:6

The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are trustworthy. – Psalm 111:7

Their idols are silver and gold, The work of human hands. – Psalm 115:4

I will not die, but live, And tell of the works of the Lord. – Psalm 118:17

The idols of the nations are nothing but silver and gold, The work of human hands. – Psalm 135:15

The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your faithfulness, Lord, is everlasting; Do not abandon the works of Your hands. – Psalm 138:8

I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:14

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your accomplishments; I reflect on the work of Your hands. – Psalm 143:5

One generation will praise Your works to another, And will declare Your mighty acts. – Psalm 145:4

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. – Psalm 145:5

The Lord is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works. – Psalm 145:9

All Your works will give thanks to You, Lord, And Your godly ones will bless You. – Psalm 145:10

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in His words, And holy in all His works. – Psalm 145:13

The Lord is righteous in all His ways, And kind in all His works. – Psalm 145:17

Bible Verses About Work in Proverbs

“The Lord created me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. – Proverbs 8:22

Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was His delight daily, Rejoicing always before Him, – Proverbs 8:30

Poor is one who works with a lazy hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. – Proverbs 10:4

The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright, But ruin to the workers of injustice. – Proverbs 10:29

One who works his land will have plenty of bread, But one who pursues worthless things lacks sense. – Proverbs 12:11

Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3

A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on. – Proverbs 16:26

He also who is lax in his work Is a brother to him who destroys. – Proverbs 18:9

The desire of the lazy one puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work; – Proverbs 21:25

Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure people. – Proverbs 22:29

If you say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He who weighs the hearts not consider it? And does He who watches over your soul not know it? And will He not repay a person according to his work? – Proverbs 24:12

Prepare your work outside, And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterward, then, build your house. – Proverbs 24:27

Do not say, “I shall do the same to him as he has done to me; I will repay the person according to his work.” – Proverbs 24:29

A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin. – Proverbs 26:28

One who works his land will have plenty of food, But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty. – Proverbs 28:19

She looks for wool and linen, And works with her hands in delight. – Proverbs 31:13

Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates. – Proverbs 31:31

Bible Verses About Work in Ecclesiastes

What advantage does a person have in all his work Which he does under the sun? – Ecclesiastes 1:3

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is futility and striving after wind. – Ecclesiastes 1:14

I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; – Ecclesiastes 2:4

So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was unhappy to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind. – Ecclesiastes 2:17

What benefit is there for the worker from that in which he labors? – Ecclesiastes 3:9

He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. – Ecclesiastes 3:11

I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it. And God has so worked, that people will fear Him. – Ecclesiastes 3:14

Do not let your speech cause you to sin, and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? – Ecclesiastes 5:6

Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? – Ecclesiastes 7:13

and I saw every work of God, I concluded that one cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun. Even though a person laboriously seeks, he will not discover; and even if the wise person claims to know, he cannot discover. – Ecclesiastes 8:17

Go then, eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. – Ecclesiastes 9:7

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your futile life which He has given you under the sun, all the days of your futility; for this is your reward in life and in your work which you have labored under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 9:9

on the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and strong men are bent over, the grinders stop working because they are few, and those who look through windows grow dim; – Ecclesiastes 12:3

Bible Verses About Work in Song of Solomon

“How beautiful are your feet in sandals, Prince’s daughter! The curves of your hips are like jewels, The work of the hands of an artist. – Song of Solomon 7:1

Bible Verses About Work in Isaiah

The strong man will become like flax fiber, And his work a spark. So they shall both burn together And there will be no one to extinguish them. – Isaiah 1:31

Their land has also been filled with idols; They worship the work of their hands, That which their fingers have made. – Isaiah 2:8

Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; But they do not pay attention to the deeds of the Lord, Nor do they consider the work of His hands. – Isaiah 5:12

Who say, “Let Him hurry, let Him do His work quickly, so that we may see it; And let the plan of the Holy One of Israel approach And come to pass, so that we may know it!” – Isaiah 5:19

So it will be that when the Lord has completed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the arrogant pride of his eyes.” – Isaiah 10:12

But now the Lord has spoken, saying, “Within three years, as a hired worker would count them, the glory of Moab will become contemptible along with all his great population, and his remnant will be very small and impotent.” – Isaiah 16:14

And he will not look to the altars, the work of his hands, Nor will he look to that which his fingers have made, Even the Asherim and incense altars. – Isaiah 17:8

There will be no work for Egypt Which its head or tail, its palm branch or bulrush, may do. – Isaiah 19:15

whom the Lord of armies has blessed, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.” – Isaiah 19:25

For this is what the Lord said to me: “In a year, as a hired worker would count it, all the splendor of Kedar will come to an end; – Isaiah 21:16

Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. – Isaiah 25:1

Lord, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works. – Isaiah 26:12

For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be stirred up as in the Valley of Gibeon, To do His task, His unusual task, And to work His work, His extraordinary work. – Isaiah 28:21

But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, They will sanctify My name; Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, And will stand in awe of the God of Israel. – Isaiah 29:23

Also the oxen and the donkeys that work the ground will eat seasoned feed, which has been winnowed with shovel and pitchfork. – Isaiah 30:24

Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, And does not retract His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers, And against the help of the workers of injustice. – Isaiah 31:2

And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. – Isaiah 32:17

and have thrown their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but only the work of human hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. – Isaiah 37:19

Behold, you are less than nothing, And your work is less than nothing! He who chooses you is an abomination. – Isaiah 41:24

Behold, all of them are false; Their works are nothing, Their cast metal images are wind and emptiness. – Isaiah 41:29

The craftsman of iron shapes a cutting tool and does his work over the coals, fashioning it with hammers and working it with his strong arm. He also gets hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and becomes weary. – Isaiah 44:12

The craftsman of wood extends a measuring line; he outlines it with a marker. He works it with carving knives and outlines it with a compass, and makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of mankind, so that it may sit in a house. – Isaiah 44:13

This is what the Lord says, the Holy One of Israel and his Maker: “Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons, And you shall commit to Me the work of My hands. – Isaiah 45:11

Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows on the fire of coals And produces a weapon for its work; And I have created the destroyer to inflict ruin. – Isaiah 54:16

‘Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?’ Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, And oppress all your workers. – Isaiah 58:3

Their webs will not become clothing, Nor will they cover themselves with their works; Their works are works of wrongdoing, And an act of violence is in their hands. – Isaiah 59:6

Then all your people will be righteous; They will possess the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified. – Isaiah 60:21

But now, Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter, And all of us are the work of Your hand. – Isaiah 64:8

Both your own wrongdoings and the wrongdoings of your fathers together,” says the Lord. “Because they have burned incense on the mountains And scorned Me on the hills, Therefore I will measure their former work into their laps.” – Isaiah 65:7

They will not build and another inhabit, They will not plant and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, And My chosen ones will fully enjoy the work of their hands. – Isaiah 65:22

“For I know their works and their thoughts; the time is coming to gather all the nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory. – Isaiah 66:18

Bible Verses About Work in Jeremiah

And I will pronounce My judgments against them concerning all their wickedness, since they have abandoned Me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. – Jeremiah 1:16

For the customs of the peoples are futile; For it is wood cut from the forest, The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool. – Jeremiah 10:3

Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, And gold from Uphaz, The work of a craftsman and of the hands of a goldsmith; Their clothing is of violet and purple; They are all the work of skilled people. – Jeremiah 10:9

They are worthless, a work of mockery; At the time of their punishment they will perish. – Jeremiah 10:15

You shall not bring a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day nor do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers. – Jeremiah 17:22

“But it will come about, if you give your attention to Me,” declares the Lord, “to bring no load in through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but to keep the Sabbath day holy by doing no work on it, – Jeremiah 17:24

and do not follow other gods to serve them and to worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands, then I will do you no harm.’ – Jeremiah 25:6

Yet you have not listened to Me,” declares the Lord, “in order to provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands to your own harm. – Jeremiah 25:7

(For many nations and great kings will make slaves of them, even them; and I will repay them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands.)’” – Jeremiah 25:14

This is what the Lord says: “Restrain your voice from weeping And your eyes from tears; For your work will be rewarded,” declares the Lord, “And they will return from the land of the enemy. – Jeremiah 31:16

For the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah have been doing only evil in My sight since their youth; for the sons of Israel have been only provoking Me to anger by the work of their hands,” declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 32:30

provoking Me to anger with the works of your hands, burning sacrifices to other gods in the land of Egypt where you are entering to reside, so that you may be eliminated and become a curse and a disgrace among all the nations of the earth? – Jeremiah 44:8

Cursed is the one who does the Lord’s work negligently, And cursed is the one who restrains his sword from blood. – Jeremiah 48:10

The Lord has opened His armory And has brought out the weapons of His indignation, For it is a work of the Lord God of armies In the land of the Chaldeans. – Jeremiah 50:25

“Summon many against Babylon, All those who bend the bow: Encamp against her on every side, Let there be no escape. Repay her according to her work; According to all that she has done, so do to her; For she has become arrogant against the Lord, Against the Holy One of Israel. – Jeremiah 50:29

The Lord has brought about our vindication; Come and let’s recount in Zion The work of the Lord our God! – Jeremiah 51:10

They are worthless, a work of mockery; At the time of their punishment they will perish. – Jeremiah 51:18

Bible Verses About Work in Lamentations

You will repay them, Lord, In accordance with the work of their hands. – Lamentations 3:64

The precious sons of Zion, Weighed against pure gold, How they are regarded as earthenware jars, The work of a potter’s hands! – Lamentations 4:2

Young men worked at the grinding mill, And youths staggered under loads of wood. – Lamentations 5:13

Bible Verses About Work in Ezekiel

The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like sparkling topaz, and all four of them had the same form, their appearance and workmanship being as if one wheel were within another. – Ezekiel 1:16

Everywhere you live, cities will be in ruins and the high places will be deserted, so that your altars will be in ruins and deserted, your idols will be broken and brought to an end, your incense altars will be cut down, and your works wiped out. – Ezekiel 6:6

She has wearied Me with work, Yet her great rust has not gone from her; Let her rust be in the fire! – Ezekiel 24:12

You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared. – Ezekiel 28:13

‘This is what the Lord God says: “The gate of the inner courtyard facing east shall be shut for the six working days; but it shall be opened on the Sabbath day and opened on the day of the new moon. – Ezekiel 46:1

The remainder of the length alongside the holy allotment shall be ten thousand cubits toward the east and ten thousand toward the west; and it shall be alongside the holy allotment. And its produce shall be food for the workers of the city. – Ezekiel 48:18

And the workers of the city, out of all the tribes of Israel, shall cultivate it. – Ezekiel 48:19

Bible Verses About Work in Daniel

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just; and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” – Daniel 4:37

Bible Verses About Work in Hosea

Now Jacob fled to the land of Aram, And Israel worked for a wife, And for a wife he kept sheep. – Hosea 12:12

And now they sin more and more, And make for themselves cast metal images, Idols skillfully made from their silver, All of them the work of craftsmen. They say of them, “Let the people who sacrifice kiss the calves!” – Hosea 13:2

Assyria will not save us, We will not ride on horses; Nor will we say again, ‘Our god’ To the work of our hands; For in You the orphan finds mercy.” – Hosea 14:3

Bible Verses About Work in Joel

Be ashamed, you farm workers, Wail, you vinedressers, For the wheat and the barley; Because the harvest of the field is destroyed. – Joel 1:11

Bible Verses About Work in Jonah

Then the Lord said, “You had compassion on the plant, for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. – Jonah 4:10

Bible Verses About Work in Micah

Is it being said, house of Jacob: ‘Is the Spirit of the Lord impatient? Are these His works?’ Do My words not do good For the one walking rightly? – Micah 2:7

I will eliminate your carved images And your memorial stones from among you, So that you will no longer bow down To the work of your hands. – Micah 5:13

The statutes of Omri And every work of the house of Ahab are maintained, And you walk by their plans. Therefore I will give you up for destruction, And your inhabitants for derision, And you will suffer the taunting of My people.” – Micah 6:16

Bible Verses About Work in Habakkuk

“Look among the nations! Watch! Be horrified! Be frightened speechless! For I am accomplishing a work in your days— You would not believe it even if you were told! – Habakkuk 1:5

Lord, I have heard the report about You, and I was afraid. Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known. In anger remember mercy. – Habakkuk 3:2

Bible Verses About Work in Zephaniah

Flocks will lie down in her midst, All animals that range in herds; Both the pelican and the hedgehog Will spend their nights in the tops of her pillars; Birds will sing in the window, Devastation will be on the threshold; For He has uncovered the cedar work. – Zephaniah 2:14

Bible Verses About Work in Haggai

So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of armies, their God, – Haggai 1:14

But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the Lord of armies. – Haggai 2:4

Then Haggai responded and said, “‘So is this people. And so is this nation before Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean. – Haggai 2:14

I struck you and every work of your hands with scorching wind, mildew, and hail; yet you did not come back to Me,’ declares the Lord. – Haggai 2:17

Bible Verses About Work in Matthew

Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. – Matthew 9:37

Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” – Matthew 9:38

or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support. – Matthew 10:10

Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, – Matthew 11:2

and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” – Matthew 14:2

saying, ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day’s work and the scorching heat.’ – Matthew 20:12

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ – Matthew 21:28

Bible Verses About Work in Mark

And King Herod heard about it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.” – Mark 6:14

And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.]] [[And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions. And after that, Jesus Himself also sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.]] – Mark 16:20

Bible Verses About Work in Luke

Simon responded and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” – Luke 5:5

But the synagogue leader, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, “There are six days during which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” – Luke 13:14

Bible Verses About Work in John

Jesus *said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. – John 4:34

But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” – John 5:17

For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. – John 5:20

But the testimony I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. – John 5:36

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” – John 6:27

Therefore they said to Him, “What are we to do, so that we may accomplish the works of God?” – John 6:28

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” – John 6:29

So they said to Him, “What then are You doing as a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work are You performing? – John 6:30

So His brothers said to Him, “Move on from here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. – John 7:3

Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. – John 9:3

We must carry out the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. – John 9:4

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. – John 10:25

Jesus replied to them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” – John 10:32

The Jews answered Him, “We are not stoning You for a good work, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” – John 10:33

If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; – John 10:37

but if I do them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” – John 10:38

Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works. – John 14:10

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. – John 14:11

Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. – John 14:12

If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. – John 15:24

I glorified You on the earth by accomplishing the work which You have given Me to do. – John 17:4

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved *said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. – John 21:7

Bible Verses About Work in Acts

At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. – Acts 7:41

While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.” – Acts 13:2

‘Look, you scoffers, and be astonished, and perish; For I am accomplishing a work in your days, A work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.’” – Acts 13:41

From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished. – Acts 14:26

But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. – Acts 15:38

and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them, and they worked together, for they were tent-makers by trade. – Acts 18:3

he gathered these men together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. – Acts 19:25

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” – Acts 20:35

Bible Verses About Work in Romans

in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, – Romans 2:15

because by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin. – Romans 3:20

Where then is boasting? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. – Romans 3:27

For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. – Romans 3:28

For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. – Romans 4:2

Now to the one who works, the wages are not credited as a favor, but as what is due. – Romans 4:4

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, – Romans 4:5

just as David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: – Romans 4:6

For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were brought to light by the Law, were at work in the parts of our body to bear fruit for death. – Romans 7:5

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, – Romans 9:11

Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though they could by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, – Romans 9:32

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace. – Romans 11:6

or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. – Romans 12:8

Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the person who eats and causes offense. – Romans 14:20

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, – Romans 16:3

Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. – Romans 16:6

Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. – Romans 16:9

Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. – Romans 16:12

Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, and so do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen. – Romans 16:21

Bible Verses About Work in 1 Corinthians

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. – 1 Corinthians 3:9

each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. – 1 Corinthians 3:13

If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. – 1 Corinthians 3:14

If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire. – 1 Corinthians 3:15

and we labor, working with our own hands; when we are verbally abused, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; – 1 Corinthians 4:12

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? – 1 Corinthians 9:1

Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working? – 1 Corinthians 9:6

There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. – 1 Corinthians 12:6

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. – 1 Corinthians 12:11

All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? – 1 Corinthians 12:29

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 15:58

Now if Timothy comes, see that he has no reason to be afraid while among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am. – 1 Corinthians 16:10

I urge that you also be subject to such as these and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. – 1 Corinthians 16:16

Bible Verses About Work in 2 Corinthians

Not that we domineer over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm. – 2 Corinthians 1:24

So death works in us, but life in you. – 2 Corinthians 4:12

And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 Corinthians 6:1

So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. – 2 Corinthians 8:6

But just as you excel in everything, in faith, speaking, knowledge, and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you also excel in this gracious work. – 2 Corinthians 8:7

and not only that, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in this gracious work, which is being administered by us for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our readiness, – 2 Corinthians 8:19

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 8:23

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. – 2 Corinthians 11:13

Bible Verses About Work in Galatians

(for He who was at work for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles), – Galatians 2:8

nevertheless, knowing that a person is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no flesh will be justified. – Galatians 2:16

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? – Galatians 3:2

So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? – Galatians 3:5

For all who are of works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the Law, to do them.” – Galatians 3:10

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. – Galatians 5:6

But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another. – Galatians 6:4

Bible Verses About Work in Ephesians

In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, – Ephesians 1:11

and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might – Ephesians 1:19

in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. – Ephesians 2:2

not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:9

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10

of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. – Ephesians 3:7

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, – Ephesians 3:20

for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; – Ephesians 4:12

from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. – Ephesians 4:16

Bible Verses About Work in Philippians

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:6

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; – Philippians 2:12

for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure. – Philippians 2:13

But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need, – Philippians 2:25

because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to compensate for your absence in your service to me. – Philippians 2:30

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; – Philippians 3:2

Indeed, true companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. – Philippians 4:3

Bible Verses About Work in Colossians

so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; – Colossians 1:10

For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His power which works mightily within me. – Colossians 1:29

having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. – Colossians 2:12

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, – Colossians 3:23

and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. – Colossians 4:11

Bible Verses About Work in 1 Thessalonians

constantly keeping in mind your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, – 1 Thessalonians 1:3

For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship: it was by working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. – 1 Thessalonians 2:9

For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, – 1 Thessalonians 3:2

and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we instructed you, – 1 Thessalonians 4:11

and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. – 1 Thessalonians 5:13

Bible Verses About Work in 2 Thessalonians

To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will consider you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, – 2 Thessalonians 1:11

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed. – 2 Thessalonians 2:7

comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. – 2 Thessalonians 2:17

nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; – 2 Thessalonians 3:8

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. – 2 Thessalonians 3:10

For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. – 2 Thessalonians 3:11

Now we command and exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to work peacefully and eat their own bread. – 2 Thessalonians 3:12

Bible Verses About Work in 1 Timothy

but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. – 1 Timothy 2:10

It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. – 1 Timothy 3:1

having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. – 1 Timothy 5:10

The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. – 1 Timothy 5:17

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, – 1 Timothy 6:18

Bible Verses About Work in 2 Timothy

who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, – 2 Timothy 1:9

The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. – 2 Timothy 2:6

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. – 2 Timothy 2:21

so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:17

But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. – 2 Timothy 4:5

Bible Verses About Work in Titus

to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. – Titus 2:5

Bible Verses About Work in Philemon

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, – Philemon 1:1

as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. – Philemon 1:24

Bible Verses About Work in Hebrews

And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; – Hebrews 1:10

Where your fathers put Me to the test, And saw My works for forty years. – Hebrews 3:9

For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “As I swore in My anger, They certainly shall not enter My rest,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. – Hebrews 4:3

For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; – Hebrews 4:4

For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. – Hebrews 4:10

Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, – Hebrews 6:1

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having served and by still serving the saints. – Hebrews 6:10

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? – Hebrews 9:14

equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. – Hebrews 13:21

Bible Verses About Work in James

What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? – James 2:14

In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. – James 2:17

But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” – James 2:18

But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless? – James 2:20

Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? – James 2:21

You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; – James 2:22

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. – James 2:24

In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? – James 2:25

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. – James 2:26

Bible Verses About Work in 1 Peter

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. – 1 Peter 1:2

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; – 1 Peter 1:17

Bible Verses About Work in 2 Peter

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered. – 2 Peter 3:10

Bible Verses About Work in 1 John

the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. – 1 John 3:8

Bible Verses About Work in 3 John

Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may prove to be fellow workers with the truth. – 3 John 1:8

Bible Verses About Work in Revelation

The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands so as not to worship demons and the idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; – Revelation 9:20

And they *sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! – Revelation 15:3

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves. – Revelation 22:12

The post Bible Verses About Work appeared first on David Servant.

Below is a collection of Bible verses to help you in your own journey of conquering fear.

Bible Verses About Overcoming Fear With God’s Help

Sometimes fear becomes overwhelming, but with God’s help you can find confidence in any situation.

I sought the Lord and He answered me,
And rescued me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed. – Psalm 34:4–5

God is our refuge and strength,
A very ready help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes
And the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. – Psalm 46:1–3

Bible Verses About God’s Assurance When Facing Your Fears

Below are several Bible verses about God’s promise to help you face your fears.

Now the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you. Arise, go up to Ai; see, I have handed over to you the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. – Joshua 8:1

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ – Isaiah 41:13

Bible Verses About Being Fearless When Sharing Your Faith in God

Sharing the gospel with others can sometimes be intimidating. Below are several verses to encourage you to be fearless knowing that God is with you.

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7

The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?” – Hebrews 13:6

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. – 1 John 4:18

Every Mention of the Word “Fear” in the Bible

We’ve included all mentions of the word “fear” in the NASB below. We hope reflecting on these verses will deepen your knowledge of God’s Word!

Bible Verses About Fear in Genesis

The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every animal of the earth and on every bird of the sky; on everything that crawls on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea. They are handed over to you. – Genesis 9:2

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” – Genesis 15:1

Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. – Genesis 20:11

God heard the boy crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. – Genesis 21:17

He said, “Do not reach out your hand against the boy, and do not do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” – Genesis 22:12

And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.” – Genesis 26:24

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the fear of Isaac, had not been for me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, so He rendered judgment last night.” – Genesis 31:42

The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac. – Genesis 31:53

Save me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children. – Genesis 32:11

And when she was suffering severe difficulties in her labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son!” – Genesis 35:17

Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God: – Genesis 42:18

For how shall I go up to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear that I may see the evil that would overtake my father.” – Genesis 44:34

Bible Verses About Fear in Exodus

But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.
– Exodus 1:17

And because the midwives feared God, He established households for them. – Exodus 1:21

Everyone among the servants of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring his servants and his livestock into the houses; – Exodus 9:20

But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God.” – Exodus 9:30

But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever. – Exodus 14:13

When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses. – Exodus 14:31

Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. – Exodus 18:21

However, Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you will not sin.” – Exodus 20:20

Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you. – Exodus 34:10

Bible Verses About Fear in Leviticus

‘You shall stand up in the presence of the grayheaded and honor elders, and you shall fear your God; I am the Lord. – Leviticus 19:32

So you shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God. – Leviticus 25:17

Do not take any kind of interest from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may live with you. – Leviticus 25:36

Bible Verses About Fear in Numbers

Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection is gone from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” – Numbers 14:9

But the Lord said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have handed him over to you, and all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.” – Numbers 21:34

So Moab was in great fear because of the people, for they were numerous; and Moab was in dread of the sons of Israel. – Numbers 22:3

Bible Verses About Fear in Deuteronomy

See, the Lord your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’ – Deuteronomy 1:21

But I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, nor fear them. – Deuteronomy 1:29

This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the faces of people everywhere, who, when they hear the news of you, will tremble and be in anguish because of you.’ – Deuteronomy 2:25

But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have handed him and all his people and his land over to you; and you shall do to him just as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.’ – Deuteronomy 3:2

Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the One fighting for you.’ – Deuteronomy 3:22

Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when the Lord said to me, ‘Assemble the people to Me, that I may have them hear My words so that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’ – Deuteronomy 4:10

If only they had such a heart in them, to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it would go well with them and with their sons forever! – Deuteronomy 5:29

so that you, your son, and your grandson will fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. – Deuteronomy 6:2

You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. – Deuteronomy 6:13

So the Lord commanded us to follow all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our own good always and for our survival, as it is today. – Deuteronomy 6:24

Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. – Deuteronomy 8:6

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, – Deuteronomy 10:12

You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. – Deuteronomy 10:20

No one will be able to stand against you; the Lord your God will instill the dread of you and the fear of you in all the land on which you set foot, just as He has spoken to you. – Deuteronomy 11:25

You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. – Deuteronomy 13:4

You shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. – Deuteronomy 14:23

And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, so that he will learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully following all the words of this Law and these statutes, – Deuteronomy 17:19

Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death; so you shall eliminate the evil from your midst, and all Israel will hear about it and fear. – Deuteronomy 21:21

how he confronted you on the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. – Deuteronomy 25:18

“If you are not careful to follow all the words of this Law that are written in this book, to fear this honored and awesome name, the Lord your God, – Deuteronomy 28:58

In the morning you will say, ‘If only it were evening!’ And at evening you will say, ‘If only it were morning!’ because of the terror of your heart which you fear, and the sight of your eyes which you will see. – Deuteronomy 28:67

And the Lord is the one who is going ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not desert you or abandon you. Do not fear and do not be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Assemble the people, the men, the women, the children, and the stranger who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God, and be careful to follow all the words of this Law. – Deuteronomy 31:12

And their children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live on the land which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.” – Deuteronomy 31:13

Had I not feared the provocation by the enemy, That their adversaries would misjudge, That they would say, “Our hand is triumphant, And the Lord has not performed all this.”’ – Deuteronomy 32:27

Bible Verses About Fear in Joshua

so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” – Joshua 4:24

Now the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you. Arise, go up to Ai; see, I have handed over to you the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. – Joshua 8:1

So they answered Joshua and said, “Since your servants were fully informed that the Lord your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you, we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and did this thing. – Joshua 9:24

that he feared greatly because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. – Joshua 10:2

And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have handed them over to you; not one of them will stand against you.” – Joshua 10:8

Joshua then said to them, “Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for the Lord will do this to all your enemies with whom you fight.” – Joshua 10:25

Nevertheless my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully. – Joshua 14:8

For the Lord has made the Jordan a border between us and you, you sons of Reuben and sons of Gad; you have no portion in the Lord.” So your sons may make our sons stop fearing the Lord.’ – Joshua 22:25

“Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and do away with the gods which your fathers served beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. – Joshua 24:14

Bible Verses About Fear in Judges

and I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live.” But you have not obeyed Me.’” – Judges 6:10

Bible Verses About Fear in Ruth

So now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you say, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. – Ruth 3:11

Bible Verses About Fear in 1 Samuel

If you will fear the Lord and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the Lord, then both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God. – 1 Samuel 12:14

So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. – 1 Samuel 12:18

Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. – 1 Samuel 12:20

Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. – 1 Samuel 12:24

When the people entered the forest, behold, there was honey dripping; but no man put his hand to his mouth, because the people feared the oath. – 1 Samuel 14:26

Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have violated the command of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice. – 1 Samuel 15:24

When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and very fearful. – 1 Samuel 17:11

When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were very fearful. – 1 Samuel 17:24

David took these words to heart and greatly feared Achish king of Gath. – 1 Samuel 21:12

But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are fearful here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?” – 1 Samuel 23:3

Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised Philistines will come and pierce me through, and abuse me.” But his armor bearer was unwilling, because he was very fearful. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. – 1 Samuel 31:4

Bible Verses About Fear in 2 Samuel

Then Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, when Amnon’s heart is cheerful with wine, and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not fear; have I not commanded you myself? Be courageous and be valiant.” – 2 Samuel 13:28

The God of Israel said it; The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over mankind righteously, Who rules in the fear of God, – 2 Samuel 23:3

Bible Verses About Fear in 1 Kings

When all Israel heard about the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. – 1 Kings 3:28

so that they will fear You all the days that they live on the land which You have given to our fathers. – 1 Kings 8:40

hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and act in accordance with all for which the foreigner calls to You, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, to fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name. – 1 Kings 8:43

However, Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go, do as you have said. Just make me a little bread loaf from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. – 1 Kings 17:13

Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly; – 1 Kings 18:3

And it will come about when I leave you that the Spirit of the Lord will carry you to where I do not know; so when I come and inform Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, though I, your servant, have feared the Lord from my youth. – 1 Kings 18:12

Bible Verses About Fear in 2 Kings

Now a woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” – 2 Kings 4:1

But they feared greatly and said, “Behold, the two kings did not stand firm before him; how then can we stand?” – 2 Kings 10:4

Now this came about because the sons of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and they had feared other gods. – 2 Kings 17:7

And at the beginning of their living there, they did not fear the Lord; therefore the Lord sent lions among them that were killing some of them. – 2 Kings 17:25

So one of the priests whom they had led into exile from Samaria came and lived in Bethel, and taught them how they were to fear the Lord. – 2 Kings 17:28

They also feared the Lord and appointed from their entire population priests of the high places, who acted for them in the houses of the high places. – 2 Kings 17:32

They feared the Lord, yet they were serving their own gods in accordance with the custom of the nations from among whom they had been taken into exile. – 2 Kings 17:33

To this day they act in accordance with the earlier customs: they do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow their statutes, their ordinances, the Law, or the commandments which the Lord commanded the sons of Jacob, whom He named Israel. – 2 Kings 17:34

The Lord made a covenant with them and commanded them, saying, “You shall not fear other gods, nor bow down to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them. – 2 Kings 17:35

But the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, Him you shall fear, and to Him you shall bow down, and to Him you shall sacrifice. – 2 Kings 17:36

And the statutes, the ordinances, the Law, and the commandment which He wrote for you, you shall take care to do always; and you shall not fear other gods. – 2 Kings 17:37

The covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, nor shall you fear other gods. – 2 Kings 17:38

But you shall fear the Lord your God; and He will save you from the hand of all your enemies.” – 2 Kings 17:39

So while these nations feared the Lord, they also served their idols; their children likewise and their grandchildren, just as their fathers did, they do to this day. – 2 Kings 17:41

And Isaiah said to them, “This is what you shall say to your master: ‘The Lord says this: “Do not be fearful because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. – 2 Kings 19:6

Bible Verses About Fear in 1 Chronicles

Then the fame of David spread in all the lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him on all the nations. – 1 Chronicles 14:17

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods. – 1 Chronicles 16:25

Then you will prosper, if you are careful to follow the statutes and the ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed. – 1 Chronicles 22:13

Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. – 1 Chronicles 28:20

Bible Verses About Fear in 2 Chronicles

so that they may fear You, to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You have given to our fathers. – 2 Chronicles 6:31

then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, so that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, and fear You as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name. – 2 Chronicles 6:33

Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be careful about what you do, for the Lord our God will have no part in injustice or partiality, or in the taking of a bribe.” – 2 Chronicles 19:7

Then he commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly. – 2 Chronicles 19:9

and he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. – 2 Chronicles 20:15

You need not fight in this battle; take your position, stand and watch the salvation of the Lord in your behalf, Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow, go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:17

“Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the One with us is greater than the one with him. – 2 Chronicles 32:7

Bible Verses About Fear in Ezra

So now let’s make a covenant with our God to send away all the wives and their children, following the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the Law. – Ezra 10:3

Bible Verses About Fear in Nehemiah

When I saw their fear, I stood and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” – Nehemiah 4:14

So I said, “The thing which you are doing is not good; should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the taunting of the nations, our enemies? – Nehemiah 5:9

But the previous governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of my fear of God. – Nehemiah 5:15

then I put Hanani my brother, and Hananiah the commander of the citadel, in charge of Jerusalem, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. – Nehemiah 7:2

Bible Verses About Fear in Esther

Then Esther’s attendants and her eunuchs came and informed her, and the queen was seized by great fear. And she sent garments to clothe Mordecai so that he would remove his sackcloth from him, but he did not accept them. – Esther 4:4

Bible Verses About Fear in Job

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. – Job 1:1

The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” – Job 1:8

Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? – Job 1:9

The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds firm to his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” – Job 2:3

For what I fear comes upon me, And what I dread encounters me. – Job 3:25

Is your fear of God not your confidence, And the integrity of your ways your hope? – Job 4:6

“For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not abandon the fear of the Almighty. – Job 6:14

Then I would speak and not fear Him; But I am not like that in myself. – Job 9:35

Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral blemish, And you would be firmly established and not fear. – Job 11:15

Their houses are safe from fear, And the rod of God is not on them. – Job 21:9

And to mankind He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to turn away from evil is understanding.’” – Job 28:28

Because I feared the great multitude And the contempt of families terrified me, And I kept silent and did not go out of doors? – Job 31:34

Behold, no fear of me should terrify you, Nor should my pressure weigh heavily on you. – Job 33:7

Therefore people fear Him; He does not regard any who are wise of heart.” – Job 37:24

He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; And he does not turn back from the sword. – Job 39:22

Nothing on earth is like him, One made without fear. – Job 41:33

Bible Verses About Fear in Psalms

Put them in fear, Lord; Let the nations know that they are merely human. Selah – Psalm 9:20

A despicable person is despised in his eyes, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He takes an oath to his own detriment, and does not change; – Psalm 15:4

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. – Psalm 19:9

You who fear the Lord, praise Him; All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel. – Psalm 22:23

From You comes my praise in the great assembly; I shall pay my vows before those who fear Him. – Psalm 22:25

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

Who is the person who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. – Psalm 25:12

The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. – Psalm 25:14

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom should I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom should I dread? – Psalm 27:1

If an army encamps against me, My heart will not fear; If war arises against me, In spite of this I am confident. – Psalm 27:3

How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have performed for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of mankind! – Psalm 31:19

Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. – Psalm 33:8

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who wait for His faithfulness, – Psalm 33:18

I sought the Lord and He answered me, And rescued me from all my fears. – Psalm 34:4

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them. – Psalm 34:7

fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no lack of anything. – Psalm 34:9

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. – Psalm 34:11

Wrongdoing speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes. – Psalm 36:1

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord. – Psalm 40:3

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes And the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; – Psalm 46:2

For the Lord Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth. – Psalm 47:2

Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the injustice of those who betray me surrounds me, – Psalm 49:5

The righteous will see and fear, And they will laugh at him, saying, – Psalm 52:6

They were in great fear there, where no fear had been; For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you; You put them to shame, because God had rejected them. – Psalm 53:5

fear and trembling come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. – Psalm 55:5

God will hear and humiliate them— Even the one who sits enthroned from ancient times— Selah With whom there is no change, And who do not fear God. – Psalm 55:19

You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah – Psalm 60:4

For You have heard my vows, God; You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name. – Psalm 61:5

To shoot from concealment at the innocent; Suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear. – Psalm 64:4

Then all people will fear, And they will declare the work of God, And will consider what He has done. – Psalm 64:9

Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul. – Psalm 66:16

God blesses us, So that all the ends of the earth may fear Him. – Psalm 67:7

May they fear You while the sun shines, And as long as the moon shines, throughout all generations. – Psalm 72:5

You, You indeed are to be feared, And who may stand in Your presence, once You are angry? – Psalm 76:7

You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still – Psalm 76:8

Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; All who are around Him are to bring gifts to Him who is to be feared. – Psalm 76:11

He will cut off the spirit of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth. – Psalm 76:12

He led them safely, so that they did not fear; But the sea engulfed their enemies. – Psalm 78:53

Certainly His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. – Psalm 85:9

Teach me Your way, Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. – Psalm 86:11

A God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, And awesome above all those who are around Him? – Psalm 89:7

Who understands the power of Your anger And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You? – Psalm 90:11

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. – Psalm 96:4

So the nations will fear the name of the Lord, And all the kings of the earth, Your glory. – Psalm 102:15

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. – Psalm 103:11

Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. – Psalm 103:13

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear Him, And His justice to the children’s children, – Psalm 103:17

He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever. – Psalm 111:5

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; All those who follow His commandments have a good understanding; His praise endures forever. – Psalm 111:10

Praise the Lord! Blessed is a person who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments. – Psalm 112:1

He will not fear bad news; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. – Psalm 112:7

His heart is firm, he will not fear, But will look with satisfaction on his enemies. – Psalm 112:8

You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. – Psalm 115:11

He will bless those who fear the Lord, The small together with the great. – Psalm 115:13

Let those who fear the Lord say, “His mercy is everlasting.” – Psalm 118:4

The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? – Psalm 118:6

I am a companion to all those who fear You, And to those who keep Your precepts. – Psalm 119:63

May those who fear You see me and be glad, Because I wait for Your word. – Psalm 119:74

May those who fear You turn to me, And those who know Your testimonies. – Psalm 119:79

My flesh trembles from the fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments. – Psalm 119:120

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. – Psalm 128:1

Behold, for so shall a man Who fears the Lord be blessed. – Psalm 128:4

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry for help and save them. – Psalm 145:19

The Lord favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His faithfulness. – Psalm 147:11

Bible Verses About Fear in Proverbs

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7

Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord. – Proverbs 1:29

Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And discover the knowledge of God. – Proverbs 2:5

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. – Proverbs 3:7

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride, arrogance, the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate. – Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. – Proverbs 9:10

What the wicked fears will come upon him, But the desire of the righteous will be granted. – Proverbs 10:24

The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. – Proverbs 10:27

One who despises the word will do badly, But one who fears the commandment will be rewarded. – Proverbs 13:13

One who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But one who is devious in his ways despises Him. – Proverbs 14:2

In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. – Proverbs 14:26

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, By which one may avoid the snares of death. – Proverbs 14:27

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure, and turmoil with the treasure. – Proverbs 15:16

The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility. – Proverbs 15:33

By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil. – Proverbs 16:6

The fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. – Proverbs 19:23

The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor, and life. – Proverbs 22:4

Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always. – Proverbs 23:17

My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not get involved with those of high rank, – Proverbs 24:21

How blessed is the person who fears always, But one who hardens his heart will fall into disaster. – Proverbs 28:14

The fear of man brings a snare, But one who trusts in the Lord will be protected. – Proverbs 29:25

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. – Proverbs 31:30

Bible Verses About Fear in Ecclesiastes

I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it. And God has so worked, that people will fear Him. – Ecclesiastes 3:14

For in many dreams and in many words there is futility. Rather, fear God. – Ecclesiastes 5:7

It is good that you grasp one thing while not letting go of the other; for one who fears God comes out with both of them. – Ecclesiastes 7:18

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will go well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly. – Ecclesiastes 8:12

But it will not go well for the evil person and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God. – Ecclesiastes 8:13

The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. – Ecclesiastes 12:13

Bible Verses About Fear in Isaiah

and say to him, ‘Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stumps of smoldering logs, on account of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and the son of Remaliah. – Isaiah 7:4

As for all the hills which used to be cultivated with the plow, you will not go there for fear of briars and thorns; but they will become a place for pasturing oxen and for sheep to trample. – Isaiah 7:25

“You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’ Regarding everything that this people call a conspiracy, And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. – Isaiah 8:12

It is the Lord of armies whom you are to regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. – Isaiah 8:13

Therefore this is what the Lord God of armies says: “My people, you who dwell in Zion, do not fear the Assyrian who strikes you with the rod, and lifts up his staff against you the way Egypt did. – Isaiah 10:24

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. – Isaiah 11:2

And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make decisions by what His ears hear; – Isaiah 11:3

Which sends messengers by the sea, Even in papyrus vessels on the surface of the waters. Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, To a people feared far and wide, A powerful and oppressive nation Whose land the rivers divide. – Isaiah 18:2

At that time a gift of tribute will be brought to the Lord of armies From a people tall and smooth, From a people feared far and wide, A powerful and oppressive nation, Whose land the rivers divide— To the place of the name of the Lord of armies, to Mount Zion. – Isaiah 18:7

On that day the Egyptians will become like women, and they will tremble and be in great fear because of the waving of the hand of the Lord of armies, which He is going to wave over them. – Isaiah 19:16

The land of Judah will become a cause of shame to Egypt; everyone to whom it is mentioned will be in great fear because of the plan of the Lord of armies which He is making against them. – Isaiah 19:17

And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure. – Isaiah 33:6

Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The retribution of God will come, But He will save you.” – Isaiah 35:4

Go up on a high mountain, Zion, messenger of good news, Raise your voice forcefully, Jerusalem, messenger of good news; Raise it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” – Isaiah 40:9

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ – Isaiah 41:10

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ – Isaiah 41:13

Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you people of Israel; I will help you,” declares the Lord, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. – Isaiah 41:14

Declare the things that are going to come afterward, So that we may know that you are gods; Indeed, do good or evil, that we may be afraid and fear together. – Isaiah 41:23

Israel Redeemed
But now, this is what the Lord says, He who is your Creator, Jacob, And He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! – Isaiah 43:1

Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west. – Isaiah 43:5

This is what the Lord says, He who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you: ‘Do not fear, Jacob My servant, And Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.- Isaiah 44:2

Who is among you who fears the Lord, Who obeys the voice of His servant, Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. – Isaiah 50:10

Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, A people in whose heart is My Law; Do not fear the taunting of people, Nor be terrified of their abuses. – Isaiah 51:7

That you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth, That you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, As he makes ready to destroy? And where is the rage of the oppressor? – Isaiah 51:13

“fear not, for you will not be put to shame; And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; But you will forget the shame of your youth, And no longer remember the disgrace of your widowhood. – Isaiah 54:4

In righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you. – Isaiah 54:14

“Of whom were you worried and fearful When you lied, and did not remember Me Nor give Me a thought? Was I not silent, even for a long time, So you do not fear Me? – Isaiah 57:11

So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream Which the wind of the Lord drives. – Isaiah 59:19

Why, Lord, do You cause us to stray from Your ways And harden our heart from fearing You? Return for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage. – Isaiah 63:17

Bible Verses About Fear in Jeremiah

Your own wickedness will correct you, And your apostasies will punish you; Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter For you to abandon the Lord your God, And the fear of Me is not in you,” declares the Lord God of armies. – Jeremiah 2:19

And I saw that for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I had sent her away and given her a certificate of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear; but she went and prostituted herself also. – Jeremiah 3:8

Do you not fear Me?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal limit, and it will not cross over it. Though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; Though they roar, they will not cross over it. – Jeremiah 5:22

They do not say in their heart, “Let us now fear the Lord our God, Who gives rain in its season, Both the autumn rain and the spring rain, Who keeps for us The appointed weeks of the harvest.” – Jeremiah 5:24

They are like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot walk! Do not fear them, For they can do no harm, Nor can they do any good.” – Jeremiah 10:5

Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For it is Your due! For among all the wise men of the nations And in all their kingdoms, There is none like You. – Jeremiah 10:7

For he will be like a tree planted by the water That extends its roots by a stream, And does not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought, Nor cease to yield fruit. – Jeremiah 17:8

Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah actually put him to death? Did he not fear the Lord and plead for the favor of the Lord, and the Lord relented of the disaster which He had pronounced against them? But we are committing a great evil against our own lives!” – Jeremiah 26:19

“For this is what the Lord says: ‘I have heard a sound of terror, Of fear, and there is no peace. – Jeremiah 30:5

And do not fear, Jacob My servant,’ declares the Lord, ‘And do not be dismayed, Israel; For behold, I am going to save you from far away, And your descendants from the land of their captivity. And Jacob will return and be at peace, without anxiety, And no one will make him afraid. – Jeremiah 30:10

and I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. – Jeremiah 32:39

I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts, so that they will not turn away from Me. – Jeremiah 32:40

When they had heard all the words, they turned in fear one to another. And they said to Baruch, “We will certainly report all these words to the king.” – Jeremiah 36:16

Yet the king and all his servants who heard all these words did not tremble in fear, nor did they tear their garments. – Jeremiah 36:24

Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am in fear of the Jews who have deserted to the Chaldeans, for they may hand me over to them, and they will abuse me.” – Jeremiah 38:19

Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you are now fearing; do not be afraid of him,’ declares the Lord, ‘for I am with you to save you and rescue you from his hand. – Jeremiah 42:11

Yet they have not become contrite even to this day, nor have they feared, nor walked in My Law or My statutes, which I placed before you and before your fathers.”’ – Jeremiah 44:10

“But as for you, Jacob My servant, do not fear, Nor be dismayed, Israel! For, see, I am going to save you from far away, And your descendants from the land of their captivity; And Jacob will return and be undisturbed And secure, with no one making him afraid. – Jeremiah 46:27

Jacob My servant, do not fear,” declares the Lord, “For I am with you. For I will make a complete destruction of all the nations Where I have driven you, Yet I will not make a complete destruction of you; But I will correct you properly And by no means leave you unpunished.” – Jeremiah 46:28

Bible Verses About Fear in Lamentations

You came near on the day I called to You; You said, “Do not fear!” – Lamentations 3:57

Bible Verses About Fear in Ezekiel

And as for you, son of man, you are not to fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; you are not to fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, since they are a rebellious house. – Ezekiel 2:6

You have feared a sword; so I will bring a sword upon you,” the Lord God declares. – Ezekiel 11:8

‘This is what the Lord God says: “I will also destroy the idols And make the images cease from Memphis. And there will no longer be a prince in the land of Egypt; And I will put fear in the land of Egypt. – Ezekiel 30:13

Bible Verses About Fear in Daniel

Now because of the greatness which He granted him, all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages trembled and feared in his presence; whomever he wished, he killed, and whomever he wished, he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated, and whomever he wished he humbled. – Daniel 5:19

I issue a decree that in all the realm of my kingdom people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. – Daniel 6:26

Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great fear fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. – Daniel 10:7

For ships of Kittim will come against him; therefore he will withdraw in fear and will return and curse the holy covenant and take action; so he will come back and pay attention to those who abandon the holy covenant. – Daniel 11:30

Bible Verses About Fear in Hosea

The inhabitants of Samaria will fear For the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn for it, And its idolatrous priests will cry out over it, Over its glory, since it has left it.
– Hosea 10:5

Bible Verses About Fear in Joel

Do not fear, land; shout for joy and rejoice, For the Lord has done great things. – Joel 2:21

Do not fear, animals of the field, For the pastures of the wilderness have turned green, For the tree has produced its fruit, The fig tree and the vine have yielded in full. – Joel 2:22

Bible Verses About Fear in Amos

A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can do anything but prophesy? – Amos 3:8

Bible Verses About Fear in Jonah

So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.” – Jonah 1:9

Bible Verses About Fear in Micah

The voice of the Lord will call to the city— And it is sound wisdom to fear Your name: “Hear, you tribe. Who has designated its time? – Micah 6:9

Bible Verses About Fear in Habakkuk

They are terrifying and feared; Their justice and authority originate with themselves. – Habakkuk 1:7

Bible Verses About Fear in Zephaniah

The Lord has taken away His judgments against you, He has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; You will no longer fear disaster. – Zephaniah 3:15

Bible Verses About Fear in Haggai

‘As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit remains in your midst; do not fear!’ – Haggai 2:5

Bible Verses About Fear in Zechariah

And it will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.’ – Zechariah 8:13

so I have again determined in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear! – Zechariah 8:15

Bible Verses About Fear in Malachi

“But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King,” says the Lord of armies, “and My name is feared among the nations.” – Malachi 1:14

“Then I will come near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, those who oppress the wage earner in his wages or the widow or the orphan, and those who turn away the stranger from justice and do not fear Me,” says the Lord of armies. – Malachi 3:5

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened attentively and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and esteem His name. – Malachi 3:16

But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and frolic like calves from the stall. – Malachi 4:2

Bible Verses About Fear in Matthew

“So do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. – Matthew 10:26

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28

So do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows. – Matthew 10:31

Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. – Matthew 14:5

When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. – Matthew 14:26

But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the people; for they all regard John as a prophet.” – Matthew 21:26

And although they sought to arrest Him, they feared the crowds, since they considered Him to be a prophet. – Matthew 21:46

The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men. – Matthew 28:4

And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to report to His disciples. – Matthew 28:8

Bible Verses About Fear in Mark

But the woman, fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. – Mark 5:33

Now they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, – Mark 10:32

And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He told the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away. – Mark 12:12

Bible Verses About Fear in Luke

Zechariah was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. – Luke 1:12

And His mercy is to generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. – Luke 1:50

And fear came on all those who lived around them; and all these matters were being talked about in the entire hill country of Judea. – Luke 1:65

To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Would serve Him without fear, – Luke 1:74

and likewise also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.” – Luke 5:10

And they were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God. They were also filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today!” – Luke 5:26

fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us!” and, “God has visited His people!” – Luke 7:16

And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” But they were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?” – Luke 8:25

And all the people of the territory of the Gerasenes and the surrounding region asked Him to leave them, because they were overwhelmed by great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. – Luke 8:37

But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed someone, has the power to throw that person into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! – Luke 12:5

But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows. – Luke 12:7

saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. – Luke 18:2

For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person, – Luke 18:4

The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and yet they feared the people; for they were aware that He had spoken this parable against them. – Luke 20:19

people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. – Luke 21:26

But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? – Luke 23:40

Bible Verses About Fear in John

However, no one was speaking openly about Him, for fear of the Jews. – John 7:13

We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if someone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him. – John 9:31

“Do not fear, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” – John 12:15

Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful. – John 14:27

Now after these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, requested of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. – John 19:38

Now when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were together due to fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and *said to them, “Peace be to you.” – John 20:19

Bible Verses About Fear in Acts

And as he heard these words, Ananias collapsed and died; and great fear came over all who heard about it. – Acts 5:5

And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard about these things. – Acts 5:11

‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses shook with fear and did not dare to look closely. – Acts 7:32

So the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed peace, as it was being built up; and as it continued in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it kept increasing. – Acts 9:31

a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and made many charitable contributions to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. – Acts 10:2

They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” – Acts 10:22

but in every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. – Acts 10:35

Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: – Acts 13:16

“Brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. – Acts 13:26

And the jailer asked for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; – Acts 16:29

The officers reported these words to the chief magistrates. And they became fearful when they heard that they were Romans, – Acts 16:38

And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a significant number of the leading women. – Acts 17:4

So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present. – Acts 17:17

This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. – Acts 19:17

After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and let themselves be driven along in this way. – Acts 27:17

fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and prayed for daybreak. – Acts 27:29

Bible Verses About Fear in Romans

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” – Romans 3:18

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” – Romans 8:15

Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; – Romans 11:20

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; – Romans 13:3

Bible Verses About Fear in 1 Corinthians

I also was with you in weakness and fear, and in great trembling, – 1 Corinthians 2:3

Bible Verses About Fear in 2 Corinthians

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade people, but we are well known to God; and I hope that we are also well known in your consciences. – 2 Corinthians 5:11

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. – 2 Corinthians 7:1

For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts on the outside, fears inside. – 2 Corinthians 7:5

For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. – 2 Corinthians 7:11

His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. – 2 Corinthians 7:15

Bible Verses About Fear in Galatians

It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow I might be running, or had run, in vain. – Galatians 2:2

For prior to the coming of some men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, fearing those from the circumcision. – Galatians 2:12

I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain. – Galatians 4:11

Bible Verses About Fear in Ephesians

and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. – Ephesians 5:21

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; – Ephesians 6:5

Bible Verses About Fear in Philippians

and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. – Philippians 1:14

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; – Philippians 2:12

Bible Verses About Fear in Colossians

Slaves, obey those who are your human masters in everything, not with eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. – Colossians 3:22

Bible Verses About Fear in 1 Thessalonians

For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be for nothing. – 1 Thessalonians 3:5

Bible Verses About Fear in 1 Timothy

Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. – 1 Timothy 5:20

Bible Verses About Fear in Hebrews

and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. – Hebrews 2:15

Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. – Hebrews 4:1

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though seeing Him who is unseen. – Hebrews 11:27

Bible Verses About Fear in 1 Peter

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; – 1 Peter 1:17

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. – 1 Peter 2:17

just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. – 1 Peter 3:6

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, – 1 Peter 3:14

Bible Verses About Fear in 1 John

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. – 1 John 4:18

Bible Verses About Fear in Jude

These are the ones who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, like shepherds caring only for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; – Jude 1:12

save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. – Jude 1:23

Bible Verses About Fear in Revelation

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. – Revelation 2:10

And after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. – Revelation 11:11

And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” – Revelation 11:18

and he said with a loud voice, “fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth, and sea and springs of waters.” – Revelation 14:7

Who will not fear You, Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed.” – Revelation 15:4

standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ – Revelation 18:10

The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, – Revelation 18:15

And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” – Revelation 19:5

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