The Word of God is powerful and can inspire, encourage, and teach us. And for leaders, these best Bible verses about leadership can help us grow leaps and bounds!
Many of us have faced the challenge of being great leaders sometime in our lives. It could be related to family, a job, a hobby, a friend group, or even at church. Even if we haven’t, we’ve also had to deal with leaders in our lives.
What do these verses about leadership say, and how can the Word help us understand leadership God’s way? Nowadays, church leadership matters more than ever, and it is important for our leaders to walk in the wisdom and instruction of the Word.
Whether it is a verse to inspire us in our leadership positions or to instruct us in how to view leadership, let these Bible verses on leadership push you and help you grow.
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Table of contents
Best Bible Verses About Leadership
We have separated the 43 best Bible verses about leadership into four categories: Encouragement for Leaders, Commands for Leaders, Wisdom for Leaders, and How to Treat Leaders.
Each category has multiple leadership Bible verses to help us walk in our leadership callings, and treat leadership in our lives rightly. Just like these bible verses on thanksgiving, these verses can be great for sermons, teachings, bible studies, or personal use.
Encouragement for Leaders
These Bible verses are meant to encourage and inspire leaders with the Word of God. God understands the heavy mantle of responsibility that is on leaders and uses His Word to encourage and inspire.
If you are a leader needing encouragement or want to edify a leader in your life, these Bible verses are for you.
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.”
Isaiah 41:10
“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.”
Romans 8:28
“We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose.”
James 1:12
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Ephesians 4:11-12
“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.”
Psalm 133:1
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Numbers 12:3
“Now Moses was very humble, more humble than any other person on earth.”
Psalms 133:1
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait on 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.”
Commands for Leaders
What are the commands God has for good leaders? Christian leaders hold special authority and positions in the lives of others, so their job must be taken very seriously.
Leaders cannot only look out for their own interests, but they are called to fear God, maintain sound doctrine, be self controlled, and serve others.
These are verses talk about leadership qualities and what the Bible commands of leaders, what it instructs them to do, and how to behave.
Philippians 2:5-7
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.”
Mark 10:43-44
“But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.”
John 13:13-14
“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Acts 20:28
“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.”
1 Timothy 3:8-10
“Church officers should be serious. They must not be liars, heavy drinkers, or greedy for money. And they must have a clear conscience and hold firmly to what God has shown us about our faith. They must first prove themselves. Then if no one has anything against them, they can serve as officers.”
Matthew 24:45-47
“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.”
James 3:14-18
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Romans 12:11
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Luke 12:48
“But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
Titus 1:7-8
“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.”
Psalm 37:5
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”
Matthew 20:25-28
“But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”
1 Peter 5:2
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve…”
1 Timothy 3:1-5
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”
Exodus 18:21
“But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain —and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.”
Luke 12:48
“From everyone who has been given much shall much be required.”
Romans 12:8
“The one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Matthew 5:37
“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Luke 6:31
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”
Wisdom for Leaders
The Bible has much wisdom for church leaders. The book of Proverbs (and other books of the Bible) has words of instruction and teaching from God that can be useful to leaders. If you hold a leadership position, these words of wisdom could be for you.
Proverbs 29:11
“A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.”
Proverbs 11:14
“Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.”
Proverbs 29:14
“If a king judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
Proverbs 21:23
“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue, Keeps his soul from troubles.”
Proverbs 23:9
“Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.”
Ecclesiastes 10:17
“Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time–for strength and not for drunkenness.”
Proverbs 16:12
“It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness.”
How to Treat Leaders
What does the Bible say about how we should view and treat leaders in our lives? These leadership Bible verses can teach us how to behave toward those with authority over us. What does God say about how we should view our pastors, our bosses, and our governmental figures?
Hebrews 13:17
“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.”
James 3:1-2
“Dear brothers, don’t be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers of religion, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater than it would be for others. If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
Hebrews 13:7
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Conclusion: 43 Best Bible Verses About Leadership
There you have the 43 best bible verses concerning leadership! If you are a leader seeking encouragement or wisdom, wondering what the Bible commands of you, or wanting to know what the Bible says about how we should treat leaders, these verses are for you.
Feel free to use these for sermons or teachings, or even for personal or group bible studies.
May the Lord bless you in your leadership positions, give you wisdom and instruction and joy. Let us know your favorite bible verses about leadership in the comments below.
More Biblical Encouragement for Leaders
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