100 Bible Verses about Edifying

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 58 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Romans 14:19 ESV / 47 helpful votes

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV / 35 helpful votes

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. ...

Ephesians 4:12 ESV / 20 helpful votes

To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV / 20 helpful votes

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

2 Corinthians 12:19 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.

1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV / 18 helpful votes

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

Ephesians 4:16 ESV / 16 helpful votes

From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV / 16 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Romans 15:2 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

1 Corinthians 8:1 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

Acts 20:32 ESV / 14 helpful votes

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 14 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. ...

Acts 2:4 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

1 Corinthians 14:3 ESV / 12 helpful votes

On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Hebrews 11:1-40 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. ...

Hebrews 3:13 ESV / 11 helpful votes

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Ephesians 4:28 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

1 Corinthians 14:2 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

1 Peter 4:10 ESV / 9 helpful votes

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

Hebrews 13:8 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:2 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Hebrews 10:25 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Timothy 1:4 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

Ephesians 5:3 ESV / 9 helpful votes

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 9 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

Romans 8:28 ESV / 9 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.

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

Jude 1:20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

James 1:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Ephesians 5:18 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

1 Corinthians 14:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

Acts 2:38 ESV / 8 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.

1 Peter 2:5 ESV / 7 helpful votes

You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

1 Corinthians 14:39 ESV / 7 helpful votes

So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Acts 9:31 ESV / 7 helpful votes

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

Revelation 2:3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.

1 Peter 3:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Titus 2:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

1 Timothy 1:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 4:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ...

2 Corinthians 13:10 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28 ESV / 6 helpful votes

If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

1 Corinthians 14:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

1 Corinthians 12:30 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

John 10:27 ESV / 6 helpful votes

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

John 3:16 ESV / 6 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.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 6 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.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Matthew 10:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Matthew 6:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Isaiah 28:11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the Lord will speak to this people,

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

1 Peter 2:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Acts 19:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Matthew 6:1-34 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ...

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Revelation 2:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.

1 John 5:1-21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? ...

1 John 4:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 1:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—

Titus 2:7-8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 16:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

2 John 1:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,

Hebrews 13:1-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ...

Hebrews 12:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

That no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.

Titus 3:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,

Titus 2:1-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. ...

Titus 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

2 Corinthians 6:1-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; ...

Acts 20:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

How I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,

Acts 11:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.

Acts 10:47 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

Luke 8:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.

Titus 2:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

Titus 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

1 Timothy 2:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ...

1 Timothy 1:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

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