What Does The Bible Say About Adults? (35 Bible Verses)
Adults—we all become them eventually, but what does it mean to be one? The Bible offers insight into the journey from childhood to adulthood and the responsibilities that come with it. From decision-making to moral conduct, let’s uncover what scripture reveals about the role of adults in society and in the eyes of God.
What Does The Bible Say About Adults
Ephesians 4:12 – Adults are Equipped for Works of Service
“to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”
Hebrews 5:14 – Adults are Mature by Training
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
1 Corinthians 13:11 – Adults Act with Maturity
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”
Proverbs 23:22 – Adults are to Listen to their Parents
“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”
1 Timothy 3:4-5 – Adults are to Manage Their Households Well
“He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)”
Proverbs 20:29 – Adults are Honored for Gray Hair
“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.”
Matthew 5:37 – Adults Are to Keep Their Promises
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Psalm 32:8 – Adults are Guided by God
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Colossians 3:23 – Adults are to Work Diligently
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Proverbs 22:6 – Adults Train Children in the Right Way
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 16:32 – Adults Control their Anger
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 – Adults Glorify God in Their Actions
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Titus 2:7-8 – Adults Set an Example for Others
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Ephesians 6:4 – Adults Teach Children about God
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Colossians 3:20 – Adults are Respectful to their Parents
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
Proverbs 10:9 – Adults Walk with Integrity
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
James 1:22 – Adults are Doers of the Word
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Ephesians 5:21 – Adults Submit to One Another
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
1 Corinthians 16:14 – Adults Act in Love
“Do everything in love.”
Proverbs 11:14 – Adults Seek Wise Counsel
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
Colossians 4:6 – Adults Speak with Grace
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
1 Timothy 4:12 – Adults Set an Example in Speech, Conduct, Love, Faith, and Purity
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Proverbs 29:11 – Adults Control Their Anger
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – Adults Display the Fruit of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Colossians 3:17 – Adults Do All in the Name of Jesus
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Proverbs 14:23 – Adults Work Diligently
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
Philippians 4:8 – Adults Think on Good Things
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
1 Peter 3:15 – Adults Give a Reason for their Hope
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Proverbs 16:3 – Adults Commit their Plans to the Lord
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
1 Peter 5:6 – Adults Humble Themselves
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Proverbs 28:13 – Adults Confess and Forsake their Sins
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
2 Timothy 2:15 – Adults Study and Handle the Word of God Correctly
“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.”
Proverbs 15:1 – Adults Speak Softly and Calmly
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Titus 3:1-2 – Adults Respecting Authority
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
Proverbs 27:17 – Adults Encourage and Build Up Others
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
James 4:17 – Adults Do Good
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
Proverbs 4:23 – Adults Guard their Hearts
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Romans 13:1 – Adults Submit to Governing Authorities
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Proverbs 12:1 – Adults Love Discipline
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
Matthew 6:33 – Adults Seek God’s Kingdom First
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Adults Trust in the Lord
“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.”
Matthew 28:19-20 – Adults Make Disciples
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
