The Bible provides us with numerous insights on success, often defining it in terms of faithfulness, diligence, and humility rather than worldly achievements. As we explore these verses, we discover that true success is rooted in our relationship with God, our service to others, and the pursuit of His plans for our lives.
Below are verses that emphasize these principles, each accompanied by related verses to deepen our understanding of success according to biblical standards.
Bible Verses About Success
Joshua 1:8 – Meditating on God’s Word
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8
Related Verses:
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” – Psalm 1:2
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5
Proverbs 16:9 – The Lord’s Guidance
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
Related Verses:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:1
“The Lord’s purpose prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21
Philippians 4:13 – Strength in Christ
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Related Verses:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trusting God
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Related Verses:
“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” – Psalm 37:23
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” – Psalm 25:9
Matthew 6:33 – Prioritizing God’s Kingdom
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Related Verses:
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4
“The Lord’s blessing is on the house of the righteous, but he denounces the house of the wicked.” – Proverbs 3:33
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” – James 1:17
Romans 8:28 – Purpose in Everything
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Related Verses:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” – Psalm 138:8
Colossians 3:23-24 – Working Heartily
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” – Colossians 3:23-24
Related Verses:
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” – 1 Corinthians 3:9
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” – Ecclesiastes 11:6
1 Chronicles 22:13 – Growth through Obedience
“Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave His servant Moses.” – 1 Chronicles 22:13
Related Verses:
“Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised.” – Deuteronomy 8:1
“Success is found in those who practice the Lord’s commandments diligently.” – Deuteronomy 28:1
“But if you turn your heart to the Lord and obey him, he will restore you.” – 2 Chronicles 30:9
Psalm 37:4 – Desires of the Heart
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4
Related Verses:
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” – Psalm 37:3
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends; his mercies never cease.” – Lamentations 3:22
John 15:5 – Remaining in Christ
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
Related Verses:
“Every branch that bears fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” – John 15:2
“Those who remain in me and I in them will produce much fruit.” – John 15:5
“Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” – John 15:7
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – A Time for Everything
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Related Verses:
“To everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” – Ecclesiastes 7:4
“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” – Genesis 8:22
2 Timothy 2:15 – Approved Workmen
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15
Related Verses:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” – Colossians 3:23
“A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” – Proverbs 13:4
“The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Genesis 39:2 – The Lord Was With Joseph
“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.” – Genesis 39:2
Related Verses:
“The Lord’s presence was with him, and he was successful in everything he did.” – Genesis 39:3
“Now the Lord was with David, and he was a successful man.” – 1 Samuel 18:14
“For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.” – Psalm 18:28
Galatians 6:9 – Perseverance in Doing Good
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Related Verses:
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” – Revelation 21:5
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” – Job 19:25
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37
Proverbs 11:27 – Seeking Good
“Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.” – Proverbs 11:27
Related Verses:
“The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” – Proverbs 14:15
“The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.” – Proverbs 10:14
“The way of the fool seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” – Proverbs 12:15
Isaiah 40:31 – Renewed Strength
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Related Verses:
“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” – Isaiah 40:28
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” – Isaiah 40:29
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” – Isaiah 40:28
1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble Yourselves
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:6-7
Related Verses:
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” – James 4:6
“The humble will hear and be glad; O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” – Psalm 34:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2
2 Corinthians 8:7 – Excel in Everything
“But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” – 2 Corinthians 8:7
Related Verses:
“For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.” – 2 Corinthians 8:21
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” – 2 Corinthians 9:10
Proverbs 4:7 – The Wisdom of Success
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7
Related Verses:
“For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” – Proverbs 2:10
“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” – Proverbs 23:12
“Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it costs all you have, get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7
Romans 12:11 – Never Be Lacking in Zeal
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” – Romans 12:11
Related Verses:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” – John 14:1
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Matthew 25:21 – Faithfulness Rewarded
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.’” – Matthew 25:21
Related Verses:
“The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” – Luke 16:10
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” – Colossians 3:23
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” – Revelation 2:10
Psalm 1:3 – Like a Tree Planted by the Water
“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” – Psalm 1:3
Related Verses:
“He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and its leaf does not wither—whatever he does prospers.” – Psalm 1:3
“The way of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” – Proverbs 4:18
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.” – Colossians 2:7
Hebrews 13:21 – Equipping for Good Work
“May he equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – Hebrews 13:21
Related Verses:
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” – Jeremiah 29:11
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Proverbs 22:29 – Diligence in Work
“Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.” – Proverbs 22:29
Related Verses:
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” – Proverbs 21:5
“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” – Proverbs 14:23
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
James 1:5 – Asking for Wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5
Related Verses:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” – Proverbs 9:10
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6
“Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.” – Ecclesiastes 7:12
Acts 20:24 – Completing the Task
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.” – Acts 20:24
Related Verses:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” – Hebrews 12:1
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1
1 Corinthians 9:24 – Running the Race
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24
Related Verses:
“Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.” – 1 Corinthians 9:26
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Ephesians 2:10 – Created for Good Works
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Related Verses:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
“This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:5b-6
“So we are convinced that even if we are in the flesh we are to be conducting ourselves well, living as examples to others.” – Philippians 1:27
Revelation 3:21 – Authority and Reward
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” – Revelation 3:21
Related Verses:
“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.” – James 1:12
“We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37
“In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37
Matthew 7:7-8 – Asking, Seeking, Knocking
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Related Verses:
“For everyone who asks receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” – Matthew 7:8
“You do not have because you do not ask God.” – James 4:2
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” – Matthew 21:22
Philippians 1:6 – Assurance of Completion
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
Related Verses:
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” – Jeremiah 29:11
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” – Psalm 138:8
Final Thought
As we reflect on these verses, we see that success in life, according to biblical principles, transcends mere achievements. It is a holistic journey defined by our relationship with God and the integrity of our actions. True success stems from seeking God’s wisdom, being diligent in our work, and remaining humble in our hearts. It involves trusting in the Lord’s plans and faithfully executing the tasks He places before us.
Success is not just about the end result but also the character we develop and the faithfulness we exhibit along the way. By integrating these lessons into our daily lives, we navigate our paths with purpose and assurance, ultimately fulfilling the good works that God has prepared for each of us.