Note: all scripture passages are taken from the New King James Version.
Luke 6:22, 23
Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. 23
Rejoice in that day and leap for
joy! For indeed you reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
Luke 10:17
Then the seventy returned with
joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
Luke 24:52
And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great
joy.
John 15:11
“These things I have spoken to you, that My
joy may remain in you, and that your
joy may be full."
John 16:22, 24
“Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart will
rejoice, and your
joy no one will take from you.” 24 “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
John 17:13
“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My
joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Acts 13:52
And the disciples were filled with
joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with
joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Romans 5:11
And not only that, but we also
rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Roman 14:17
…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and
joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all
joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22, 23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is not law.
Philippians 1:4
…always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with
joy.
Philippians 2:17, 18
Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and
rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and
rejoice with me.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say,
rejoice!
1 Thessalonians 1:6
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with
joy of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 12:2
…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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with
joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
James 1:2
My brethren, count it all
joy when you fall into various trials…
1 Peter 1:8
…whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him (Jesus Christ), yet believing, you
rejoice with
joy inexpressible and full of glory.
1 Peter 4:13
…but
rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding
joy.
1 John 1:4
And these things we write to you that your
joy may be full.
3 John 4
I have no greater
joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Jude 24, 25
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding
joy, to God our Savior who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Do you think that maybe, just maybe, God wants us to be joyful?! These are just a very few of the passages in the Bible that talk about Joy. There are many, many more in the Old Testament. If you ever want to do a study like this, just get a "Strong's Concordance" or "Young's Concordance" and look up whatever word you're studying. They are very helpful.
