24 Uplifting, Inspiring Bible Verses to Honor Pastors

It is a very good thing to search for Bible verses to honor pastors. Whether you are looking to honor your pastor on Pastor Appreciation Day (the second Sunday in October) or honoring your pastor with a simple greeting card, the Word of God can fit in any event or occasion.

Having church leaders and church members honor their pastor is a good work, and pastors, just like everyone else, need encouragement. May these Bible verse to honor pastors help you to show appreciate for the hard work and acts of service behind the scenes accomplished by your pastor.

Bible Verses to Honor Pastors — From the Old Testament

Pastors are mentioned in the Old Testament. Here is a promise from God to His people which honors the work of the present-day pastor.

Jeremiah 3:15 

“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (KJV)

Bible Verses to Honor Pastors — From the Apostle Peter

Peter was one of the apostles who was hand-picked by Jesus Christ Himself. Before Jesus’ ascension into heaven, Jesus, knowing that He would be leaving the Earth and His ministry in the hands of His apostles, specifically instructed Peter to feed His sheep.

Many times, the Bible associates “sheep” with Christians. When Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep, He was referring to those people who both already, and later, would believe on Him. Since Christians are like sheep, the pastor is referred to both in Bible times and our present day as a “shepherd.” Here is the conversation between Jesus and Peter, as recorded it in the Gospel of John.

John 21:15-17 

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” (KJV)

Since Jesus repeated this injunction to Peter three times, He placed much emphasis on the importance of making sure His people got fed spiritual food. In this conversation, Jesus showed the difference between a recent convert, a new believer, which He called “lambs,” and a more mature Christian, which He called “sheep.” The role of a pastor is to spiritually teach — feed — spiritual truths to God’s people in order to give them spiritual guidance.

In the natural world, an animal that is not fed physical food cannot grow to maturity, and therefore, cannot reproduce. Jesus wanted His people to be spiritually mature so that they could lead others to Him. In order to mature, the flock of God must be fed.

Later, in his epistle, the Apostle Peter remembered his long-ago conversation with Jesus, encouraged pastors (he called them “elders”) with the following verses.

1 Peter 5:1-4 

“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (KJV)

Peter knew what it was to be a pastor. He, too, was also a pastor since he referred to himself as a “fellow elder.” In these verses, he both honored and warned pastors that they were to serve in their position of church leadership willingly, and not just for monetary reward. He also instructed pastors to live their own Christian lives as examples to their people. He also reminded the shepherds of the house of God that Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd, would reward them for their faithful service with an unfading crown of glory.

Bible Verses to Honor Pastors — From the Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul, who wrote 13 of 27 books of the New Testament, wrote them as epistles, or church letters, to groups of Christians who were associated with a local church and had a pastor, and how they should respond to their pastor. Here are some of his exhortations to these 1^st century church members and two specific pastors, Timothy and Titus.

Romans 10:8 

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach” (KJV)

The “word of faith” is another term for God’s Word. Your pastor preaches God’s Word with his mouth because it is in his heart.

 Romans 15:13 

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (KJV)

This verse, although not specifically directed to pastors, is a great encouragement to your pastor as he does the works of service both to God and to his congregation.

1 Corinthians 1:18 

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (KJV)

A pastor’s responsibility is to preach. Paul reminds both pastors and church members that when their pastor preaches about Jesus Christ, it is the power of God. Thank God and your pastor for his preaching. He is doing God’s work.

1 Corinthians 1:21 

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (KJV)

Again, Paul reminds Christians of the importance of preaching God’s word even though he calls it “the foolishness of preaching.” To those who don’t understand God’s Word, preaching is seen as “foolishness,” yet it is by the method of preaching that God has His Word proclaimed and souls are saved.

1 Corinthians 4:2 

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (KJV)

This is a good verse to honor a faithful pastor who labors in the varied affairs of the church.

Galatians 6:6

“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” (KJV)

This is a good verse not only to encourage a pastor, but also a Sunday school teacher.

Galatians 6:9 

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (KJV)

Your pastor is like everyone else. He can and does get tired of his work, so a verse like this can be used as an encouragement.

Ephesians 4:11-12 

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (KJV)

The work of ministry is a very special calling of God. In this verse, Paul reminded the Christians at Ephesus as to why God gave pastors. Pastors are God’s gift to His people to help to build them up spiritually. 

Colossians 3:16

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (KJV)

This is a great verse to use to show your deep appreciation to a music minister.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 

“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (KJV)

Paul wrote this encouraging verse to Christian believers at Thessalonica who were led by a pastor whose work was a labor of love for both God and his people. 

1 Timothy 3:1-2 

“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach.” (KJV)

To those who God has called to serve Him in the pastorate, the Apostle Paul write that this is a good work. Nevertheless, with this office also comes great responsibility, especially in their personal lives. 

1 Timothy 3:7 

“Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (KJV)

Paul remined Pastor Timothy that pastors need to have a good reputation, both in and outside the house of God. A pastor who stives to have this good reputation should be commended.

1 Timothy 5:17 

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” (KJV)

Paul wrote this verse to a pastor, but the implication is to the church community. The phrase “worthy of double honor” is translated in Greek as “worthy of double pay.” The question arises as to how much should a pastor’s salary be? Paul did not have the concept of either minimum wage or the paychecks of Hollywood movie stars, but this verse means that a church should not be stingy in paying pastors. The word “honor” also means to hold in the highest regard. Your participation in a special day or event to honor your pastor is a good thing, since in doing so you are honoring him with both monetary gifts or respect for what he does.

2 Timothy 2:15 

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (KJV)

Paul told Pastor Timothy to study God’s word. The pastor is to study God’s Word so that he can teach sound doctrine to his congregation. A pastor who rightly divides God’s Word to his people to help them understand and study the Bible is to be commended.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (KJV)

These verses record the Apostle’s Paul’s thoughts on his own life and service to God near the end of his physical life. But these verses are applicable to any pastor who was faithful in service to God throughout his life of ministry.

2 Timothy 4:22 

“The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” (KJV)

Although Paul wrote this verse to Timothy, it is appropriate for you to use also as a closing statement for any written acknowledgement to your pastor.

Titus 1:3 

“But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour” (KJV)

Paul encouraged Pastor Titus to preach God’s Word, a commandment to preachers. This is a good verse to encourage your preacher.

Titus 1:7 

“For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre.” (KJV)

In this verse, the Apostle Paul points out the fact that the bishop (another word for pastor) is God’s steward and has the responsibility to spiritually care for the people of God. In such an exalted position, he is to be self-controlled, not a drinker of alcohol, not a brawler, and not desirous of dishonest gain.

Hebrews 4:12 

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (KJV)

This verse is a reminder about the Word of God, which your pastor uses to spiritually feed God’s people. Just a reminder of the power God’s Word is a way to honor spiritual leaders.

Hebrews 13:20-21 

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (KJV)

This benediction, which is near the end of the Book of Hebrews, is an excellent verse to both honor and encourage present-day pastors.

Hebrews 13:24-25 

“Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen” (KJV)

These final verses from the Book of Hebrews tells both the Christians, to whom the book was originally written, and us today, to “salute,” or to greet those in authority. The context is referring to those in church leadership.

Just greeting your pastor is also another way of honoring him.

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