Vocation is a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation, often considered a calling or a sense of purpose. It is the idea that one’s work should align with their natural abilities, interests, and values.
A vocation is typically seen as more than just a job or a means of earning a living; it is a fulfilling and meaningful way of life that allows individuals to use their talents to impact the world positively.
The term is often associated with religious or spiritual callings but can also refer to secular careers, such as teaching, healthcare, social work, and more.
Vocation describes a person’s sense of purpose or calling in life. When we talk about vocation, it is related to a call for God’s purpose, which refers to the idea that God has a specific plan or calling for each person’s life.
Bible Verses on Vocation
1. Ephesians 4:1
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2. Romans 12:4-8
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
3. Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
4. Ephesians 4:1-13
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, …
5. Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
6. Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.”
7. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) …
8. John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
9. Romans 11:29
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
10. Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Bible Verses about Calling
11. Matthew 28:16-20
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
12. Ephesians 4:1-12
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, …
13. Mark 1:17-20
And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
14. Romans 12:2
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.
15. 2 Thessalonians 1:11
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,
16. Ephesians 4:1-3
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
17. 2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
18. Ephesians 4:4
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
19. Ephesians 4:1-32
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, …
20. Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Vocation Bible Verses Catholic
21. Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
22. Ecclesiastes 3:13
Also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
23. Genesis 12:1-3
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
24. Genesis 2:15
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
25. 1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
26. 2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
27. Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
28. Matthew 24:2
But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
29. 2 Peter 1:10
Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
30. Ephesians 5:1-33
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. …
Bible Verses Related to Service
31. Ephesians 6:7
With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
32. Romans 12:7
if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
33. 1 Corinthians 12:5
And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
34. 2 Corinthians 9:13
Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all,
35. Ephesians 6:6
not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Examples of Vocation in the Bible
The Bible mentions several examples of people who had a vocation or a calling from God to a specific task or mission. Here are a few examples:
- Moses: In Exodus 3, God appears to Moses in a burning bush and calls him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
- Samuel: As a young boy, Samuel hears God calling his name in the middle of the night. He thinks it is Eli, the priest he is serving under, but Eli tells him it is God calling him. Samuel becomes a prophet and judge in Israel.
- David: While David was a shepherd boy, God chose him to be the king of Israel, and Samuel anointed him as the future king.
- Isaiah: In Isaiah 6, the prophet has a vision of God in the temple and hears God calling him to be a prophet to his people.
- Jeremiah: God tells Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
- Paul: Paul was called by Jesus on the road to Damascus to be an apostle and to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
5 types of Calling in the Bible
There are various types of callings mentioned in the Bible. Here are five types of callings that are frequently mentioned:
- Call to salvation: This is the essential calling addressed to all people. It calls for repentance, faith, and salvation through Jesus Christ, in Matthew 9:13.
- Call to ministry: This is a call to serve God in a specific ministry or role, such as a pastor, missionary, or teacher. In Ephesians 4:11-12.
- Call to marriage: This is a call to a lifelong commitment to love and serve a spouse in Genesis 2:24.
- Call to singleness: This is to remain unmarried and devote oneself fully to serving God in 1 Corinthians 7:7.
- Call to suffering: This is a call to endure trials and persecution for the sake of Christ, in 1 Peter 2:21.
What is the highest Calling in the Bible?
The highest calling in the Bible is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. This calling is mentioned by Jesus himself in Mark 12:28-34 when he is asked by a scribe which is the most important commandment.
What does God call us in the Bible?
- To salvation: God calls all people to repent and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation, as it says in Acts 2:38.
- To love: God calls us to love Him and others in Mark 12:30-31.
- To holiness: God calls us to live holy and righteous lives in 1 Peter 1:15-16.
- To service: God calls us to serve Him and others in Galatians 5:13.
God calls us to follow Him, to love Him and others, to live holy lives, to serve Him and others, and to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.
