100 Bible Verses about Our Purpose

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 779 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 491 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 16:9 ESV / 448 helpful votes

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

John 15:16 ESV / 419 helpful votes

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Acts 26:16 ESV / 401 helpful votes

But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 253 helpful votes

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 1:11 ESV / 238 helpful votes

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

Isaiah 43:7 ESV / 203 helpful votes

Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 187 helpful votes

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Isaiah 14:24 ESV / 166 helpful votes

The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand,

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 154 helpful votes

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Jeremiah 1:5 ESV / 149 helpful votes

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Philippians 2:1-4 ESV / 137 helpful votes

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Isaiah 14:27 ESV / 122 helpful votes

For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?

Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 116 helpful votes

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Psalm 139:13-16 ESV / 101 helpful votes

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Isaiah 14:26 ESV / 92 helpful votes

This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 90 helpful votes

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Micah 6:8 ESV / 84 helpful votes

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Revelation 21:4 ESV / 75 helpful votes

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 74 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Proverbs 19:21 ESV / 71 helpful votes

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

James 2:20-24 ESV / 67 helpful votes

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Ephesians 3:11 ESV / 67 helpful votes

This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Exodus 9:16 ESV / 61 helpful votes

But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 ESV / 60 helpful votes

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 60 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

Philippians 1:6 ESV / 58 helpful votes

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 ESV / 57 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 2:3-4 ESV / 56 helpful votes

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV / 55 helpful votes

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ...

Psalm 139:13 ESV / 52 helpful votes

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV / 51 helpful votes

Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

John 3:16-17 ESV / 51 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Philippians 3:9-10 ESV / 49 helpful votes

And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV / 47 helpful votes

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 46 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Joshua 1:1-8 ESV / 44 helpful votes

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. ...

Job 42:2 ESV / 43 helpful votes

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV / 41 helpful votes

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Acts 22:16 ESV / 40 helpful votes

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Proverbs 20:5 ESV / 40 helpful votes

The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Ephesians 1:12 ESV / 39 helpful votes

So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

Genesis 1:26-28 ESV / 39 helpful votes

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Philippians 3:8 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Matthew 28:19-20 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Revelation 21:3 ESV / 37 helpful votes

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV / 36 helpful votes

And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

2 Corinthians 1:17 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Philippians 2:12-13 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

John 14:6 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

Mark 1:14-20 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ...

Isaiah 44:2 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

2 Timothy 2:20 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.

Ephesians 1:14 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Proverbs 16:3 ESV / 30 helpful votes

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 27 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Ephesians 1:5 ESV / 26 helpful votes

He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

1 John 1:9 ESV / 25 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 46:10 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

Philippians 2:5 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 5:15 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Ephesians 3:20 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Romans 12:1 ESV / 24 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 24 helpful votes

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ...

John 10:10 ESV / 24 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 24 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 23 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ESV / 22 helpful votes

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Ephesians 6:10 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

John 6:38 ESV / 21 helpful votes

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

John 6:35 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Genesis 1:26 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Ephesians 1:4 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 19 helpful votes

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

Romans 9:17 ESV / 19 helpful votes

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

John 14:27 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:21 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

John 8:12 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Isaiah 1:19 ESV / 17 helpful votes

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

Ephesians 1:9 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

1 Corinthians 11:25 ESV / 16 helpful votes

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

1 John 4:10 ESV / 15 helpful votes

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 2:5 ESV / 15 helpful votes

But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

Colossians 1:9 ESV / 15 helpful votes

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

John 6:50-71 ESV / 15 helpful votes

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. ...

Mark 11:25 ESV / 15 helpful votes

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Matthew 9:6-8 ESV / 15 helpful votes

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Psalm 86:12 ESV / 15 helpful votes

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Proverbs 16:4 ESV / 14 helpful votes

The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

Psalm 138:8 ESV / 14 helpful votes

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11 ESV / 13 helpful votes

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

Mark 5:9-17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. ...

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