Excellence is defined as the quality of being outstanding or extremely good. As Christians, God calls us to strive for excellence in everything we do. Here are some key Bible verses about excellence:
Philippians 4:8 – Think about things that are excellent
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
This verse encourages us to fill our minds with excellence – to meditate and focus on things that are excellent, worthy of praise, noble, and commendable.
Colossians 3:23 – Work at everything as if for the Lord
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
This reminds us that even in our day-to-day work, we should strive for excellence – working wholeheartedly as if we are doing it for God himself.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 – Work vigorously during your life
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
We only have one life to live for God’s glory. This verse encourages us to work vigorously and put our full effort into all we do.
Proverbs 22:29 – Strive to be skilled at your work
“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”
Being skillful and striving for excellence in our work can even give us opportunities to influence others for Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – Do everything for God’s glory
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
This classic verse reminds us that the motivation behind pursuing excellence should be to glorify God.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 – Sharpen your skills through wisdom
“If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.”
Excellence requires continually growing in wisdom and sharpening our skills rather than relying on brute force.
Proverbs 12:24 – Work hard and you will succeed
“The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.”
Excellence requires diligence, hard work, and perseverance.
Psalm 133:1 – Strive for unity and working together
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”
Part of biblical excellence is unity – working well together with other believers for God’s glory.
Daniel 6:3 – Have an excellent spirit
“Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”
We see Daniel had an “excellent spirit” – a spirit of excellence, integrity, and godly character that caused him to rise above others.
2 Peter 1:5-8 – Grow in excellence
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peter commands us to grow in excellence by supplementing our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control and other qualities.
Genesis 1:31 – God saw that His creation was very good
“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”
As image-bearers of God, we are called to create and work in a way that reflects the excellence of our Creator.
Malachi 1:14 – Offer your best to God
“Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished.”
This verse condemns offering God anything less than your best. God deserves our utmost excellence.
Romans 12:2 – Be transformed and renewed
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Pursuing excellence requires being transformed by renewing our minds according to God’s standards, not the world’s.
Titus 2:7 – Be an example of excellence
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity…”
As Christians we are called to model excellence by having integrity and dignity in how we work and teach others.
Proverbs 4:18 – Keep progressing
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”
The pursuit of excellence is a lifelong journey of progressing and shining brighter for God’s glory.
Colossians 3:17 – Do everything in Jesus’ name
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Doing everything in Jesus’ name includes our motivation for pursuing excellence in all we do.
1 Timothy 4:15 – Practice and progress in excellence
“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.”
Timothy is exhorted to continually practice and progress in excellence so others may see his spiritual growth.
Proverbs 21:5 – Excellence comes from diligent planning
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
Excellence doesn’t happen by accident. It requires diligent and careful planning and effort.
Philippians 1:9-10 – Grow in knowledge and excellence
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
As we grow in knowledge, biblical wisdom, and discernment, we are better able to approve and pursue what is excellent.
Proverbs 8:6 – Listen to wisdom’s words
“Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right.”
To pursue excellence, we must continually be learning and listening to wisdom’s noble and righteous words.
Hebrews 13:20-21 – Be equipped for every good work
“Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ.”
God Himself equips us thoroughly for every good and excellent work as we seek to please Him.
Proverbs 10:4 – Diligence leads to wealth
“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
Diligence and excellence in our work often leads to prosperity, as long as we maintain integrity.
Psalm 50:2 – God shines forth in excellence
“Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.”
All true excellence reflects God’s glory, beauty, and perfection.
Proverbs 13:4 – Excellence satisfies our soul
“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”
Only through diligence and excellence can we experience the satisfaction that comes from a job well done.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 – God equips you for every good work
“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
God is the one who fulfills, equips and empowers us for every excellent work and good resolve for His glory.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – Be satisfied with what you have
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”
While excellence in our work can lead to prosperity, we must also remain satisfied with what God has blessed us with.
1 Timothy 6:11 – Be a man/woman of God
“But as for you, O man/woman of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”
The pursuit of excellence must originate from who we are in Christ and our identity as His children.
Hebrews 6:10-12 – Imitate those who through faith inherit the promises
“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
We are encouraged to imitate other faithful believers who demonstrate excellence by inheriting God’s promises.
These verses provide a sampling of what the Bible teaches about pursuing excellence in all areas of life for God’s glory. Additional principles include integrity, diligence, determination, courage, skillfulness, tenacity, and going the extra mile with the right heart motivations. We can honor God and reflect His character by striving for excellence while relying on His wisdom and strength.