35 Bible Verses About Life

No other book speaks more directly or extensively to Christians about life than the Bible. The Scriptures explain the origin and purpose of life, they give direction and wisdom for life, and inform seekers how to receive the gift of eternal life. May these carefully selected Bible verses about life be a conduit toward the abundant life God desires for His followers.

What Does the Bible Say About Life?

From the creation account in Genesis when God spoke life into existence to the new heaven and earth in the book of Revelation, the Bible is a book of life. In His Word, we learn that God is the source of life who breathed the breath of life into humans. This life is a precious gift from God and should be treated with extreme reverence and respect.

The Bible also has much to say about the purpose of life, the correct way to live life, and how we can enjoy life to its fullest. In God’s Word, we gain an understanding that life is so much more than mere physical existence but encompasses spiritual life through a living relationship with God. Humans experience spiritual life which leads ultimately to eternal life only through faith in the redemptive work of God in Jesus Christ.

Source of Life

According to the Bible, all life comes from God, both physical and spiritual. God holds the power of life and death in His hands. The Bible also says that Jesus, the Son of God, is the Author of Life. Jesus Himself stated, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (NIV)

Acts 3:15
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. (NIV)

Acts 17:25
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. (NIV)

1 Samuel 2:6
The LORD gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. (NLT)

Job 33:4
For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. (NLT)

Psalm 139:13
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. (NLT)

Psalm 139:13
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. (NLT)

Daniel 5:23
Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. (NIV)

John 6:35
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (ESV)

John 6:48
I am the bread of life. (ESV)

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (NIV)

Purpose of Life

In our search for meaning and significance, the Bible reveals that God, indeed, has a purpose for our lives. His plans are always for our good. We were created to live in fellowship with God and to do good works for His glory and honor.

2 Timothy 1:9
For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. (NLT)

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)

Romans 8:28-29
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (NLT)

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (NLT)

Ephesians 1:4
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. (NLT)

Ephesians 3:10–11
God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)

Direction for Life

God promises in His Word to guide and direct His people.

Matthew 6:33
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT)

Psalm 32:8
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. (NLT)

Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (ESV)

Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. (NLT)

Psalm 37:23–24
The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. (NASB95)

2 Peter 1:3
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (NLT)

Enjoyment of Life

The ability to find pleasure and enjoyment in life is seen as a great blessing from God in Scripture. Ultimately, believers will inherit a place in heaven where they will enjoy perfect fellowship with God for all eternity.

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (NKJV)

John 10:10
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (NLT)

John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (NIV)

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

Psalm 1:1–3
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (ESV)

Psalm 16:11
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. (NLT)

Eternal Life

The Bible tells readers how to experience everlasting life with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

John 3:16–17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (NKJV)

John 5:24
“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” (NLT)

John 6:40
For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” (NLT)

John 4:13-14
Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (NLT)

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)

1 John 2:25
And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. (ESV)