--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: God's command 'Go ye, and preach the…" description: "\"God's command 'Go ye, and preach the gospel to every creature' was the categorical imperative. The question of personal safety was wholly irrelevant.\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/elisabeth-elliot-1209_categorical-imperati_god-s-command-go-ye-and-preach-the-gospe_1681094.png" --- # God's command 'Go ye, and preach the gospel to every… ![“God's command 'Go ye, and preach the gospel to every creature' was the categorical imperative. The question of personal safety was wholly irrelevant.” quote by Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/elisabeth-elliot-1209_categorical-imperati_god-s-command-go-ye-and-preach-the-gospe_1681094.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/elisabeth-elliot-1209_categorical-imperati_god-s-command-go-ye-and-preach-the-gospe_1681094.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7a/elisabeth-elliot-1209_categorical-imperati_god-s-command-go-ye-and-preach-the-gospe_1681094.png) > “God's command 'Go ye, and preach the gospel to every creature' was the categorical imperative. The question of personal safety was wholly irrelevant.” [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Missionary duty is a moral absolute, outweighing personal safety concerns **In simple terms:** Preaching is a moral duty beyond personal risk Key Takeaway Prioritize higher purpose over personal safety Themes faith mission ethics Mood serious inspirational Type religious ethical When to use this quote - mission trips - humanitarian aid - civil rights activism Key Concepts categorical imperative self‑sacrifice religious obedience Questions to Reflect On - Is it always right to ignore personal safety? - How to balance duty with self‑care? A Different Perspective Neglecting safety can endanger lives and cause harm ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Categorical imperative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/categorical-imperative/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Command](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/command/) [Creatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures/) [God Command](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-command-714387/) [Imperative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imperative/) [Imperatives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imperatives/) [Irrelevant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irrelevant/) [Personal safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-safety/) [Preach Gospel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preach-gospel/) [Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safety/) [Wholly Irrelevant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wholly-irrelevant-959082/) ## Related quotes > [A categorical imperative would be one which represented an action as objectively necessary in itself, without reference to any other purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/a-categorical-imperative-would-be-one-which-represented-an-action-as/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [There is only one categorical imperative in golf, and that is to hit the ball. There are no minor absolutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-walter-simpson/there-is-only-one-categorical-imperative-in-golf-and-that-is-to-hit/) [Charles Walter Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-walter-simpson/) > [Early on, I learnt from the Russian intelligentsia that the only meaning of life lies in conscious participation in the making of history. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-serge/early-on-i-learnt-from-the-russian-intelligentsia-that-the-only/) [Victor Serge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-serge/) > [And what my constitutional values are are wholly irrelevant to the job, and so neither you nor anyone else will know what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elena-kagan/and-what-my-constitutional-values-are-are-wholly-irrelevant-to-the/) [Elena Kagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elena-kagan/) > [Ask the sheep for their beliefs... Do you kill on God's command?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mustaine/ask-the-sheep-for-their-beliefs-do-you-kill-on-god-s-command/) [Dave Mustaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mustaine/) > [“As Augustine thought, God will command what he wills and will grant what he commanded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-k-naugle/as-augustine-thought-god-will-command-what-he-wills-and-will-grant/) [David K. Naugle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-k-naugle/) > [No one can descibe who is our God,have faith,Just live your life for the Glory of God,obey God's Command and serve and love HIM](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariane-corbito/no-one-can-descibe-who-is-our-god-have-faith-just-live-your-life-for/) [Mariane Corbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariane-corbito/) > [...in God's name I command you to let me know as soon as you are aware of the arrival of Fastolf; because if he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-of-arc/in-god-s-name-i-command-you-to-let-me-know-as-soon-as-you-are-aware/) [Joan Of Arc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-of-arc/) > [God's command to have dominion over every living thing is a call to service, a test of responsibility, a rule of love, a cooperation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-nibley/god-s-command-to-have-dominion-over-every-living-thing-is-a-call-to/) [Hugh Nibley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-nibley/) > [Forgiveness is God's command.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/forgiveness-is-god-s-command/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Millions of angels are at God's command.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/millions-of-angels-are-at-god-s-command/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [But we had with us, to keep and to care for, more than five hundred bruised bodies of men- men made in the image…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-we-had-with-us-to-keep-and-to-care-for-more-than-five-hundred/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Create like a god, command like a king, work like a slave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constantin-brancusi/create-like-a-god-command-like-a-king-work-like-a-slave/) [Constantin Brancusi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constantin-brancusi/) > [“Go and tell” is still God’s command to His people”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/go-and-tell-is-still-god-s-command-to-his-people/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [We need strength beyond ourselves to keep the commandments in whatever circumstance life brings to us. The combination of trials and their duration are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/we-need-strength-beyond-ourselves-to-keep-the-commandments-in/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) ## More by Elisabeth Elliot > [All our problems are theological ones, William Temple said. All of them have to do with our relationship to God and his to us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/all-our-problems-are-theological-ones-william-temple-said-all-of-them/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Discipline, for the Christian, begins with the body. We have only one. It is this body that is the primary material given to us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/discipline-for-the-christian-begins-with-the-body-we-have-only-one-it/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [It seems disrespectful to me to see ladies in church in very short skirts or skimpy, sleeveless tops. I would imagine that it could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/it-seems-disrespectful-to-me-to-see-ladies-in-church-in-very-short/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [The deepest lessons come out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/the-deepest-lessons-come-out-of-the-deepest-waters-and-the-hottest/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Everything if given to God can become your gateway to joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/everything-if-given-to-god-can-become-your-gateway-to-joy/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Lead me, Lord, to the Rock that is higher than I. Let me hear your word, give me grace to obey, to build steadily,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/lead-me-lord-to-the-rock-that-is-higher-than-i-let-me-hear-your-word/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Experience had quickly taught her that she could not survive the storms without the anchor of the constraining love of Christ and what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/experience-had-quickly-taught-her-that-she-could-not-survive-the/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [The pain of loneliness is one way in which he wants to get our attention. We may be earnestly desiring to be obedient and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/the-pain-of-loneliness-is-one-way-in-which-he-wants-to-get-our/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“If men and women were surer of their God there would be more genuine manliness, womanliness, and godliness in the world, and a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/if-men-and-women-were-surer-of-their-god-there-would-be-more-genuine/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [I believe with all my heart God's Story has a happy ending. . . But not yet, not necessarily yet. It takes faith to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/i-believe-with-all-my-heart-god-s-story-has-a-happy-ending-but-not/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“I do know that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/i-do-know-that-waiting-on-god-requires-the-willingness-to-bear/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“What do women want today? What do men want? I mean, deep down. What do they really want? If ‘times’ have changed, have human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/what-do-women-want-today-what-do-men-want-i-mean-deep-down-what-do/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [God will never disappoint us… If deep in our hearts we suspect that God does not love us and cannot manage our affairs as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/god-will-never-disappoint-us-if-deep-in-our-hearts-we-suspect-that/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Muddled thinking inevitably results in muddled living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/muddled-thinking-inevitably-results-in-muddled-living/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [The world cries for men who are strong--strong in conviction, strong to lead, to stand, to suffer. I pray that you will be that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/the-world-cries-for-men-who-are-strong-strong-in-conviction-strong-to/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) [Explore all 273 Elisabeth Elliot quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) ## More Categorical imperative quotes > [A categorical imperative would be one which represented an action as objectively necessary in itself, without reference to any other purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/a-categorical-imperative-would-be-one-which-represented-an-action-as/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [Kantian ethical theory distinguishes three levels: First, that of a fundamental principle (the categorical imperative, formulated in three main ways in Kant's Groundwork); second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kantian-ethical-theory-distinguishes-three-levels-first-that-of-a/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [“Live and let live” was the famous Viennese motto, which today still seems to me to be more humane than all the categorical imperatives,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-zweig/live-and-let-live-was-the-famous-viennese-motto-which-today-still/) [Stefan Zweig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-zweig/) > [“Silence, silence.’ All the air of the fourteenth floor was sibilant with the categorical imperative. Fifty”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/silence-silence-all-the-air-of-the-fourteenth-floor-was-sibilant-with/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [There are moments in Life when keeping silent becomes a fault, and speaking an obligation. A civic duty, a moral challenge, a categorical imperative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/there-are-moments-in-life-when-keeping-silent-becomes-a-fault-and/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [“To most people any radical change is even more odious than cynicism. The only way between the horns of dilemma is to persist at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/to-most-people-any-radical-change-is-even-more-odious-than-cynicism/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“the passage on dignity is an addendum to the formula of autonomy: ‘act only so that the will could regard itself as at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-sensen/the-passage-on-dignity-is-an-addendum-to-the-formula-of-autonomy-act/) [Oliver Sensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-sensen/) > [“Iago’s treatment of Othello conforms to Bacon’s definition of scientific enquiry as putting Nature to the Question. If a member of the audience were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden-2/iago-s-treatment-of-othello-conforms-to-bacon-s-definition-of/) [W.H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden-2/) > [Early on, I learnt from the Russian intelligentsia that the only meaning of life lies in conscious participation in the making of history. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-serge/early-on-i-learnt-from-the-russian-intelligentsia-that-the-only/) [Victor Serge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-serge/) > [All our knowledge begins with the senses,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/all-our-knowledge-begins-with-the-senses/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [If you say morality is just what you like, you lose the metaphysical level of what in the history of philosophy is called 'categorical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emir-kusturica/if-you-say-morality-is-just-what-you-like-you-lose-the-metaphysical/) [Emir Kusturica](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emir-kusturica/) > [“If now we attend to ourselves on occasion of any transgression of duty, we shall find that we in fact do not will that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/if-now-we-attend-to-ourselves-on-occasion-of-any-transgression-of/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [My conscience is informed by reason. It's like Kant's categorical imperative: behave to others as you would wish they behaved to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayaan-hirsi-ali/my-conscience-is-informed-by-reason-it-s-like-kant-s-categorical/) [Ayaan Hirsi Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayaan-hirsi-ali/) > [There is nothing higher than reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/there-is-nothing-higher-than-reason/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [“This emphasis on responsibleness is reflected in the categorical imperative of logotherapy, which is: "Live as if you were living already for the second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-emil-frankl/this-emphasis-on-responsibleness-is-reflected-in-the-categorical/) [Viktor Emil Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-emil-frankl/) [Browse all 27 Categorical imperative quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/categorical-imperative/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "God's command 'Go ye, and preach the gospel to every creature' was the categorical imperative. 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