What Does the Bible Say About Obey Those Who Have Rule Over You?

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 15 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.

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

Matthew 24:11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

1 John 2:3-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

John 14:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 4:23-24 ESV / 3 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.”

Luke 14:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

1 John 4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 2:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Titus 2:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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.

1 Timothy 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

1 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 2 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.

Philippians 3:18-4:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. ...

Ephesians 5:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 2 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 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ...

Romans 9:1-33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. ...

Acts 10:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Acts 1:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

John 14:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

John 4:23 ESV / 2 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.

John 3:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John 3:16 ESV / 2 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.

John 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 1:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Luke 18:9-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ...

Luke 6:40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Daniel 4:1-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me. ...

Jeremiah 5:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

Proverbs 31:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Judges 1:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Lord was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country, but he could not drive out the inhabitants of the plain because they had chariots of iron.

Numbers 20:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the people of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh. And Miriam died there and was buried there. Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.” ...

Genesis 24:67 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

Genesis 2:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

46 Bible Verses about Obey Those Who Have Rule Over You

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:11 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:3-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

John 14:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 4:23-24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 14:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

1 Timothy 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 3:18-4:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 9:1-33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 10:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 1:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 4:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 1:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 18:9-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Daniel 4:1-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 5:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 31:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Judges 1:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 20:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 24:67 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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