What Does the Bible Say About Elder Abuse?

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 303 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 38 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Hebrews 10:26 ESV / 24 helpful votes

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 14 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.

Matthew 25:42-45 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Titus 2:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

Titus 2:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

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

Zechariah 11:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded!”

2 John 1:9-11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Proverbs 31:6-7 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Titus 3:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

Acts 4:32-35 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! ...

Leviticus 10:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.

1 Timothy 5:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,

Galatians 5:7-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Luke 16:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

Matthew 19:3-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” ...

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Revelation 14:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Acts 15:19-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.

Zechariah 14:1-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. ...

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Acts 10:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Haggai 2:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts.

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV / 1 helpful vote

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Acts 10:34 ESV / 1 helpful vote

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,

Acts 5:29 ESV / 1 helpful vote

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Matthew 19:9 ESV / 1 helpful vote

And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”

Matthew 5:32 ESV / 1 helpful vote

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Ezekiel 48:1-35 ESV / 1 helpful vote

“These are the names of the tribes: Beginning at the northern extreme, beside the way of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath, as far as Hazar-enan (which is on the northern border of Damascus over against Hamath), and extending from the east side to the west, Dan, one portion. Adjoining the territory of Dan, from the east side to the west, Asher, one portion. Adjoining the territory of Asher, from the east side to the west, Naphtali, one portion. Adjoining the territory of Naphtali, from the east side to the west, Manasseh, one portion. Adjoining the territory of Manasseh, from the east side to the west, Ephraim, one portion. ...

34 Bible Verses about Elder Abuse

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 303 helpful votes

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Hebrews 10:26 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Matthew 25:42-45 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Titus 2:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Titus 2:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Zechariah 11:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes

2 John 1:9-11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Proverbs 31:6-7 ESV / 6 helpful votes

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Titus 3:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Acts 4:32-35 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Leviticus 10:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

1 Timothy 5:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Galatians 5:7-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Luke 16:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Matthew 19:3-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Revelation 14:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Acts 15:19-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Zechariah 14:1-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Acts 10:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Haggai 2:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Acts 10:34 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Acts 5:29 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Matthew 19:9 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Matthew 5:32 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Ezekiel 48:1-35 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

34 Bible Verses about Elder Abuse

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 303 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:26 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 25:42-45 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Zechariah 11:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 John 1:9-11 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 31:6-7 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 3:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 4:32-35 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 10:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:7-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 16:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:3-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 14:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 15:19-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Zechariah 14:1-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 10:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Haggai 2:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 10:34 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 5:29 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:9 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:32 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 48:1-35 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 303 helpful votes

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Hebrews 10:26 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Matthew 25:42-45 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Titus 2:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Titus 2:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Zechariah 11:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes

2 John 1:9-11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Proverbs 31:6-7 ESV / 6 helpful votes

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Titus 3:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Acts 4:32-35 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Leviticus 10:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

1 Timothy 5:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Galatians 5:7-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Luke 16:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Matthew 19:3-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Revelation 14:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Acts 15:19-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Zechariah 14:1-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Acts 10:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Haggai 2:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Timothy 4:5 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Acts 10:34 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Acts 5:29 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Matthew 19:9 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Matthew 5:32 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Ezekiel 48:1-35 ESV / 1 helpful vote