?

A ‣ B ‣ C ‣ D ‣ E ‣ F ‣ G ‣ H ‣ I ‣ J ‣ K ‣ L ‣ M ‣ N ‣ O ‣ P ‣ Q ‣ R ‣ S ‣ T ‣ U ‣ V ‣ W ‣ Y ‣ Z

100 Bible Verses about Words Can Build Up Or Tear Down

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 70 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 35 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 27 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Romans 14:19 ESV / 21 helpful votes

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

Jeremiah 24:6 ESV / 20 helpful votes

I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up.

Hebrews 10:25 ESV / 18 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.

Hebrews 3:13 ESV / 17 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.

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 16 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.

Jeremiah 1:10 ESV / 15 helpful votes

See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

2 Corinthians 10:4 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Luke 6:45 ESV / 14 helpful votes

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 13 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, ...

John 3:16-17 ESV / 13 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.

Jeremiah 31:28 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And it shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, declares the Lord.

Proverbs 31:10 ESV / 13 helpful votes

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

Proverbs 25:11 ESV / 13 helpful votes

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

James 1:26 ESV / 12 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 12 helpful votes

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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.

Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV / 12 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, ...

1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV / 12 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.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 12 helpful votes

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV / 11 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Therefore encourage one another with these words.

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.

Romans 15:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

1 Corinthians 8:1 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 9 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

2 Corinthians 13:10 ESV / 8 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.

2 Corinthians 10:2 ESV / 8 helpful votes

I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.

Jeremiah 18:9 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it,

Jeremiah 18:7 ESV / 8 helpful votes

If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it,

Jeremiah 18:7-9 ESV / 8 helpful votes

If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it,

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

2 Corinthians 13:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—

2 Corinthians 10:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 7 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. ...

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 7 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.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Acts 20:32 ESV / 6 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.

Jeremiah 32:41 ESV / 6 helpful votes

I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

Isaiah 3:1-26 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. ...

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 6 helpful votes

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 5 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.

Philippians 4:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Romans 15:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

Romans 15:1-11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ...

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Acts 17:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

John 3:16 ESV / 5 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.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 4 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 John 4:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 4 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 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. ...

James 5:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Hebrews 10:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 3:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,

Philippians 2:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 4 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. ...

Ephesians 4:28 ESV / 4 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 4:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 2:1-22 ESV / 4 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— ...

2 Corinthians 1:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

1 Corinthians 14:2 ESV / 4 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 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. ...

Romans 15:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

Romans 15:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Romans 14:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 4 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.

Acts 15:32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.

Acts 15:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

John 15:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

John 3:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Luke 12:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Zechariah 7:1-14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev. Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to entreat the favor of the Lord, saying to the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts and the prophets, “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?” Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me: “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? ...

Jeremiah 44:27 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Behold, I am watching over them for disaster and not for good. All the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by famine, until there is an end of them.

Isaiah 66:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Isaiah 30:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Matthew 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

2 Kings 23:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes who were in the house of the Lord, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.

Suggest a Verse


Visit the Bible online to search for words if you don’t know the specific passage your’re looking for.