Bible Concordances
Ministers

Torrey's Topical Textbook

• Called by God
  Exodus 28:1; Hebrews 5:4

• Qualified by God
  Isaiah 6:5-7; 2 Corinthians 3:5,6

• Commissioned by Christ
  Matthew 28:19

• Sent by the Holy Spirit
  Acts 13:2,4

• Have authority from God
  2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10

• Authority of, is for edification
  2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10

• Separated to the gospel
  Romans 1:1

• Entrusted with the gospel
  1 Thessalonians 2:4

• DESCRIBED AS
  • Ambassadors for Christ
    2 Corinthians 5:20
  • Ministers of Christ
    1 Corinthians 4:1
  • Stewards of the mysteries of God
    1 Corinthians 4:1
  • Defenders of the faith
    Philippians 1:7
  • The servants of Christ's people
    2 Corinthians 4:5

• Specially protected by God
  2 Corinthians 1:10

• Necessity for
  Matthew 9:37,38; Romans 10:14

• Excellency of
  Romans 10:15

• Labours of, vain, without God's blessing
  1 Corinthians 3:7; 15:10

• Compared to earthen vessels
  2 Corinthians 4:7

• SHOULD BE
  • Pure
    Isaiah 52:11; 1 Timothy 3:9
  • Holy
    Exodus 28:36; Leviticus 21:6; Titus 1:8
  • Humble
    Acts 20:19
  • Patient
    2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:24
  • Blameless
    1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7
  • Willing
    Isaiah 6:8; 1 Peter 5:2
  • Disinterested
    2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:6
  • Impartial
    1 Timothy 5:21
  • Gentle
    1 Thessalonians 2:7; 2 Timothy 2:24
  • Devoted
    Acts 20:24; Philippians 1:20,21
  • Strong in grace
    2 Timothy 2:1
  • Self-denying
    1 Corinthians 9:27
  • Sober, just, and temperate
    Leviticus 10:9; Titus 1:8
  • Hospitable
    1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8
  • Apt to teach
    1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24
  • Studious and meditative
    1 Timothy 4:13,15
  • Watchful
    2 Timothy 4:5
  • Prayerful
    Ephesians 3:14; Philippians 1:4
  • Strict in ruling their own families
    1 Timothy 3:4,12
  • Affectionate to their people
    Philippians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:8,11
  • Ensample to the flock
    Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3

• SHOULD NOT BE
  • Lords over God's heritage
    1 Peter 5:3
  • Greedy of filthy lucre
    Acts 20:33; 1 Timothy 3:3,8; 1 Peter 5:2
  • Contentious
    1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7
  • Crafty
    2 Corinthians 4:2
  • Men-pleasers
    Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4
  • Easily dispirited
    2 Corinthians 4:8,9; 6:10
  • Entangled by cares
    Luke 9:60; 2 Timothy 2:4
  • Given to wine
    1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7

• Should seek the salvation of their flock
  1 Corinthians 10:33

• Should avoid giving unnecessary offence
  1 Corinthians 10:32,33; 2 Corinthians 6:3

• Should make full proof of their ministry
  2 Timothy 4:5

• ARE BOUND TO
  • Preach the gospel to all
    Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:17
  • Feed the Church
    Jeremiah 3:15; John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2
  • Build up the Church
    2 Corinthians 12:19; Ephesians 4:12
  • Watch for souls
    Hebrews 13:17
  • Pray for their people
    Joel 2:17; Colossians 1:9
  • Strengthen the faith of their people
    Luke 22:32; Acts 14:22
  • Teach
    2 Timothy 2:2
  • Exhort
    Titus 1:9; 2:15
  • Warn affectionately
    Acts 20:31
  • Rebuke
    Titus 1:13; 2:15
  • Comfort
    2 Corinthians 1:4-6
  • Convince gainsayers
    Titus 1:9
  • War a good warfare
    1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:7
  • Endure hardness
    2 Timothy 2:3

• SHOULD PREACH
  • Christ crucified
    Acts 8:5,35; 1 Corinthians 2:2
  • Repentance and faith
    Acts 20:21
  • According to the oracles of God
    1 Peter 4:11
  • Everywhere
    Mark 16:20; Acts 8:4
  • Not with enticing words of man's wisdom
    1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:1,4
  • Not setting forth themselves
    2 Corinthians 4:5
  • Without deceitfulness
    2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:3,5
  • Fully, and without reserve
    Acts 5:20; 20:20,27; Romans 15:19
  • With boldness
    Isaiah 58:1; Ezekiel 2:6; Matthew 10:27,28
  • With plainness of speech
    2 Corinthians 3:12
  • With zeal
    1 Thessalonians 2:8
  • With constancy
    Acts 6:4; 2 Timothy 4:2
  • With consistency
    2 Corinthians 1:18,19
  • With heedfulness
    1 Timothy 4:16
  • With good will and love
    Philippians 1:15-17
  • With faithfulness
    Ezekiel 3:17,18
  • Without charge, if possible
    1 Corinthians 9:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:9

• Woe to those who do not preach the gospel
  1 Corinthians 9:16

• WHEN FAITHFUL
  • Approve themselves as the ministers of God
    2 Corinthians 6:4
  • Thank God for his gifts to their people
    1 Corinthians 1:4; Philippians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:9
  • Glory in their people
    2 Corinthians 7:4
  • Rejoice in the faith and holiness of their people
    1 Thessalonians 3:6-9
  • Commend themselves to the consciences of men
    2 Corinthians 4:2
  • Are rewarded
    Matthew 24:47; 1 Corinthians 3:14; 9:17,18; 1 Peter 5:4

• WHEN UNFAITHFUL
  • Described
    Isaiah 56:10-12; Titus 1:10,11
  • Deal treacherously with their people
    John 10:12
  • Delude men
    Jeremiah 6:14; Matthew 15:14
  • Seek gain
    Micah 3:11; 2 Peter 2:3
  • Shall be punished
    Ezekiel 33:6-8; Matthew 24:48-51

• THEIR PEOPLE ARE BOUND, TO
  • Regard them as God's messengers
    1 Corinthians 4:1; Galatians 4:14
  • Not to despise them
    Luke 10:16; 1 Timothy 4:12
  • Attend to their instructions
    Malachi 2:7; Matthew 23:3
  • Follow their holy example
    1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17
  • Imitate their faith
    Hebrews 13:7
  • Hold them in reputation
    Philippians 2:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; 1 Timothy 5:17
  • Love them
    2 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:6
  • Pray for them
    Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:19; Hebrews 13:18
  • Obey them
    1 Corinthians 16:16; Hebrews 13:17
  • Give them joy
    2 Corinthians 1:14; 2:3
  • Help them
    Romans 16:9; Philippians 4:3
  • Support them
    2 Chronicles 31:4; 1 Corinthians 9:7-11; Galatians 6:6

• Pray for the increase of
  Matthew 9:38

• Faithful-Exemplified
  • The Eleven Apostles
    Matthew 28:16-19
  • The seventy
    Luke 10:1,17
  • Matthias
    Acts 1:26
  • Philip
    Acts 8:5
  • Barnabas
    Acts 11:23
  • Simeon, &c
    Acts 13:1
  • Paul
    Acts 28:31
  • Tychicus
    Ephesians 6:21
  • Timothy
    Philippians 2:22
  • Epaphroditus
    Philippians 2:24
  • Archippus
    Colossians 4:17
  • Titus
    Titus 1:5