Introduction
Which verses can you share to encourage a volunteer? The Bible contains many, because encouragement is not optional there: it is a command addressed to the whole church. "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The 20 verses below are quoted in full from the Louis Segond version, with one or two sentences of context and a link to read the full passage for each.
You can use them in several ways: send a verse to a volunteer after a busy Sunday, write it in a thank-you card, open a team meeting with one of them, or meditate on a theme per week with your team. They are grouped into five themes: the call to encourage one another, strength that comes from God, perseverance, serving and bearing burdens together, and God's promises for those who serve him. If you are looking for verses about service itself, check out our pillar article 25 Bible Verses on Serving in the Church: the two lists complement each other without overlap.
Encouraging One Another: A Call for the Whole Church
Encouragement is not reserved for the pastor or leaders. The New Testament makes it a responsibility shared by all members of the body.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
Paul concludes a passage about the Lord's return. He asks the Thessalonians to continue encouraging one another, and he points out that they are already doing so. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11 in context.
Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
The author links mutual encouragement to the life of the assembly: it is by gathering regularly that believers can watch over one another. Read Hebrews 10:24-25 in context.
Hebrews 3:13
"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
Mutual exhortation is presented here as a daily practice that protects the heart from hardening. Read Hebrews 3:13 in context.
Proverbs 12:25
"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad."
This proverb says in one sentence what a word of encouragement can do: lift up a downcast heart. Read Proverbs 12:25 in context.
Strength Comes from God
A tired volunteer does not first need to be asked to do more, but to be reminded where strength comes from. These verses point to God as the source.
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
God speaks to his people in exile. He promises his presence, his strength, and his support to those going through a difficult time. Read Isaiah 41:10 in context.
Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
This verse concludes a chapter that describes a God who never grows weary and who gives strength to the exhausted. Read Isaiah 40:31 in context.
Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Paul writes from prison. He has just explained that he has learned to be content in abundance as in want: his strength comes from Christ, not from circumstances. Read Philippians 4:13 in context.
2 Corinthians 12:9
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
This is the Lord's answer to Paul, who was asking to be delivered from his thorn. A volunteer who feels weak is not disqualified: that is where Christ's power works. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9 in context.
Holding On Without Growing Weary
Discouragement touches nearly everyone who serves over the long haul. These verses call for perseverance and give a reason to keep going. To go deeper on this theme, also read 20 Verses on Perseverance in Ministry.
Galatians 6:9
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
This is probably the most quoted verse for encouraging those who serve: weariness is taken seriously, and the harvest is promised. Read Galatians 6:9 in context.
Hebrews 12:1-2
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
The Christian life is compared to an endurance race. The way to hold on is not to look at your fatigue, but to keep your eyes on Jesus. Read Hebrews 12:1-2 in context.
2 Corinthians 4:16
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."
Paul describes a grueling ministry, but he refuses discouragement: inner renewal happens daily. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16 in context.
Matthew 11:28
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Jesus' invitation is addressed to those who bear heavy burdens. An exhausted volunteer first needs this rest before resuming service. Read Matthew 11:28 in context.
Serving Together, Bearing Together
Encouragement also comes through how the team lives: burdens are borne together, joy is shared, and we comfort as we have been comforted. On the collective dimension of service, see 20 Bible Verses on Teamwork.
Galatians 6:2
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
A few verses before the call to not grow weary, Paul describes how a community holds together: nobody bears alone what is too heavy. Read Galatians 6:2 in context.
Romans 12:15
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."
In his series of exhortations on community life, Paul calls for genuine emotional solidarity: encouragement begins with presence. Read Romans 12:15 in context.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
God is the source of all comfort, and his comfort flows: the one who has been comforted becomes able to comfort others in turn. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 in context.
John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
On the eve of his death, Jesus gives his disciples the sign that will make them recognizable: mutual love. A team of volunteers who love one another is already a testimony. Read John 13:34-35 in context.
God Establishes the Work and Keeps His Promises
These final verses remind us that service matters in God's eyes: he establishes what we do, he walks alongside us, he completes what he has begun, and he rewards perseverance.
Psalm 90:17
"And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."
This prayer attributed to Moses asks God to give solidity to human work. A beautiful prayer to offer for your volunteer team. Read Psalm 90:17 in context.
Joshua 1:9
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
God speaks to Joshua as he takes over from Moses, a mission that is beyond him. The promise is not the absence of difficulty, but the presence of God. Read Joshua 1:9 in context.
Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
Paul thanks God for the Philippians and their partnership in the gospel. What God begins in a life, he completes. Read Philippians 1:6 in context.
Hebrews 10:35-36
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
The author writes to believers tempted to give up. He encourages them to hold on: the promise awaits at the end of perseverance. Read Hebrews 10:35-36 in context.
Key Takeaways
- Mutual encouragement is a biblical command addressed to the whole church, not an option reserved for leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 3:13).
- A good word at the right time can lift a downcast heart (Proverbs 12:25): a message or a card with a specific verse is often enough.
- A volunteer's strength does not come from their abilities but from God, who strengthens and renews those who trust in him (Isaiah 40:31, Philippians 4:13).
- Galatians 6:9 takes weariness seriously and promises the harvest to the one who does not give up: it is a go-to verse for a tired volunteer.
- Choose the verse that fits the person's situation, and let the text speak before adding your own words. To then pray for your church, see 20 Verses to Pray for Your Church.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Which verse should you choose to encourage a tired volunteer?
Galatians 6:9 is often cited for this situation: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." You can also share Isaiah 40:31, which promises renewed strength to those who wait upon the Lord, or Matthew 11:28, where Jesus invites those who are weary and heavy laden to come to him and find rest.
What does the Bible say about mutual encouragement in the church?
The New Testament presents encouragement as a responsibility shared by all believers, not just leaders. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 calls for mutual exhortation and edification, Hebrews 3:13 urges doing so daily, and Hebrews 10:24-25 links mutual encouragement to not forsaking the assembly.
How can you use these verses to encourage your church volunteers?
You can send a specific verse to a volunteer after their service, write it in a thank-you card, open a team meeting by reading one of these passages, or meditate on a thematic group per week with your team. Choose the verse that fits the person's situation -- fatigue, discouragement, need for meaning, or simple recognition -- and let the text speak before adding your own words.
to take notes and ask questions.