100 Bible Verses about Pastor Appreciation

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 1,261 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.

Jeremiah 3:15 ESV / 1,230 helpful votes

“‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV / 991 helpful votes

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV / 871 helpful votes

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 582 helpful votes

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

Hebrews 13:7 ESV / 557 helpful votes

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

1 Corinthians 9:14 ESV / 404 helpful votes

In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV / 395 helpful votes

Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:14 ESV / 375 helpful votes

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 346 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

Psalm 37:23 ESV / 342 helpful votes

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 ESV / 305 helpful votes

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. ...

Isaiah 52:7 ESV / 279 helpful votes

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Numbers 6:24-26 ESV / 260 helpful votes

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Isaiah 55:4 ESV / 244 helpful votes

Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 238 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.

2 Samuel 2:6 ESV / 183 helpful votes

Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing.

Hebrews 6:10 ESV / 169 helpful votes

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

1 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV / 164 helpful votes

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,

2 Timothy 1:11 ESV / 155 helpful votes

For which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 155 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.

1 Corinthians 1:4 ESV / 153 helpful votes

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 150 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. ...

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 145 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.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 140 helpful votes

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

Ruth 1:8 ESV / 139 helpful votes

But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.

John 13:34-35 ESV / 137 helpful votes

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Galatians 6:9 ESV / 136 helpful votes

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV / 135 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,

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV / 134 helpful votes

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

2 Timothy 2:1-26 ESV / 133 helpful votes

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ...

Romans 1:8 ESV / 130 helpful votes

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV / 128 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 Peter 5:2 ESV / 127 helpful votes

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

Philippians 1:3 ESV / 124 helpful votes

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

Galatians 6:6-9 ESV / 119 helpful votes

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he 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. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Acts 20:28 ESV / 112 helpful votes

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Micah 6:8 ESV / 109 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?

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 104 helpful votes

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Daniel 12:3 ESV / 103 helpful votes

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Romans 13:7 ESV / 102 helpful votes

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

2 Corinthians 9:13-14 ESV / 101 helpful votes

By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.

Ruth 2:12 ESV / 101 helpful votes

The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”

Philippians 1:3-5 ESV / 100 helpful votes

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Romans 15:13 ESV / 98 helpful votes

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

John 12:26 ESV / 96 helpful votes

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Esther 4:14 ESV / 94 helpful votes

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 93 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

John 3:16 ESV / 92 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.

Philippians 4:19 ESV / 90 helpful votes

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

John 15:13 ESV / 90 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Hebrews 5:1-3 ESV / 89 helpful votes

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV / 89 helpful votes

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 87 helpful votes

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

Mark 9:41 ESV / 86 helpful votes

For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

Deuteronomy 30:16 ESV / 86 helpful votes

If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.

Deuteronomy 28:2 ESV / 86 helpful votes

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.

John 4:23-24 ESV / 84 helpful votes

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 82 helpful votes

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 81 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.

Psalm 100:4 ESV / 79 helpful votes

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Galatians 6:6 ESV / 78 helpful votes

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 75 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Galatians 3:2 ESV / 74 helpful votes

Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?

Luke 14:23 ESV / 74 helpful votes

And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 ESV / 74 helpful votes

What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.

Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 71 helpful votes

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

James 3:1 ESV / 70 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Psalm 127:1 ESV / 70 helpful votes

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

2 Timothy 1:3 ESV / 68 helpful votes

I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.

Hebrews 3:13 ESV / 67 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.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV / 67 helpful votes

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 65 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 ...

Acts 20:28-31 ESV / 65 helpful votes

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 63 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.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 62 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Matthew 25:21 ESV / 62 helpful votes

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV / 61 helpful votes

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Chronicles 31:21 ESV / 61 helpful votes

And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV / 59 helpful votes

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Galatians 6:7-10 ESV / 57 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he 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. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Titus 1:1-16 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 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— ...

Romans 1:15-16 ESV / 55 helpful votes

So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 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.

Matthew 28:20 ESV / 52 helpful votes

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Psalm 145:18 ESV / 51 helpful votes

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

1 Timothy 5:25 ESV / 49 helpful votes

So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV / 48 helpful votes

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV / 47 helpful votes

Let all that you do be done in love.

Matthew 7:1-12 ESV / 46 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ...

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 46 helpful votes

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 44 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,

1 Timothy 5:1-6:21 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, ...

Jeremiah 10:23 ESV / 39 helpful votes

I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 38 helpful votes

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Psalm 121:1-8 ESV / 32 helpful votes

A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. ...

1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV / 30 helpful votes

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV / 29 helpful votes

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Isaiah 38:1-20 ESV / 28 helpful votes

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. ...

Isaiah 10:1-34 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey! What will you do on the day of punishment, in the ruin that will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help, and where will you leave your wealth? Nothing remains but to crouch among the prisoners or fall among the slain. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still. Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury! ...

2 Corinthians 8:1-24 ESV / 27 helpful votes

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. ...

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