Have you ever sat down in a quiet room, maybe with a cup of coffee, and just stared at the cover of your Bible? You hold this book, this collection of ancient letters, poetry, and history, and a wild thought crosses your mind: “What does this book actually say about reading this book?” It almost feels like a trick question, doesn’t it?
But it’s not. In fact, it might be one of the most important questions a person of faith can ask. The answer isn’t just a simple “you should do it.” The answer, when you truly dig in, is a profound and life-changing “Wow.”
For years, I treated my Bible like a reference book. I’d go to it when I had a problem or needed a specific answer. But I was missing the point entirely. The Bible isn’t just a manual; it’s alive. Exploring what the Bible says about reading the Bible is like discovering a hidden room in a house you’ve lived in your whole life. It’s a journey into the very heart of why this book exists and how it’s meant to completely reshape us from the inside out. It’s not about duty; it’s about discovery.
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Key Takeaways
For those who want the quick view, here’s the essence of what we’re about to explore. The Bible says that reading it is essential because:
- It’s Divinely Sourced: Scripture isn’t just wise human words; it is described as being “breathed out” by God Himself.
- It’s a Tool for Transformation: The Bible is meant to teach, correct, and train us, making us ready for anything life throws our way.
- It’s Spiritually Alive: Unlike any other book, Scripture is described as “living and active,” able to penetrate our deepest thoughts.
- It’s Our Guide: It serves as a light in the darkness, providing wisdom and direction for our daily lives.
- It Should Be a Joy, Not a Chore: We are encouraged to delight in God’s Word, finding joy and nourishment in its pages.
Why Is Reading the Bible Even Considered Important by Scripture Itself?
It’s one thing for a pastor or a friend to tell you to read your Bible. It’s another thing entirely to see the Bible make the case for itself. The Scriptures are not shy about declaring their own origin and purpose. This isn’t arrogance; it’s a loving instruction, like a mapmaker explaining why you need to trust the map to get home safely.
Is All Scripture Really “God-Breathed”?
This is the bedrock, the absolute foundation. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to his young protégé, Timothy, and in it, he makes a statement that is staggering. He says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Let’s pause on that phrase: “God-breathed.” The original Greek word is Theopneustos. It’s a compound word, literally meaning “God-spirited” or “God-exhaled.” This means the Bible’s origin isn’t the minds of its human authors alone. Instead, its ultimate source is the very breath of God.
When I first grasped this, it changed everything. I stopped seeing the Bible as just a collection of stories and rules written by men long ago. I started to see it as a direct line, a conversation starter from the Creator of the universe. It means when you open its pages, you are handling something that is profoundly divine. It demands a different level of respect and attention. It’s not just another book on the shelf; it’s holy.
What is the Ultimate Purpose of Scripture for a Believer’s Life?
Paul doesn’t stop with the origin. He immediately gives us the purpose. Why did God breathe out Scripture? So that the “servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). The Bible isn’t meant to be a trivia book to make us win religious arguments. Its purpose is intensely practical. It’s meant to equip us.
Think about what a soldier or a doctor needs to be equipped. They need tools, training, and a deep understanding of their mission. Paul says the Bible provides exactly that for the Christian life. He breaks it down into four specific functions:
- Teaching: It shows us the truth. It tells us who God is, who we are, and how the world works according to our Creator. It’s our baseline for reality.
- Rebuking: This sounds harsh, but it’s incredibly loving. The Bible shows us where we’ve gone off track. It points out the sin or the wrong thinking in our lives that is causing us harm.
- Correcting: After showing us where we’re wrong, it shows us how to get back on the right path. It doesn’t just diagnose the problem; it provides the solution.
- Training in Righteousness: This is about building holy habits. It’s the daily workout, the practice, the discipline of learning to live in a way that pleases God and leads to true flourishing.
The goal of all this? To make us complete, effective, and ready for the life God has called us to live. It’s not about holding us down; it’s about setting us free to be who we were made to be.
How Does the Bible Describe Its Own Power and Effect on Us?
If the Bible is God-breathed, then it must carry some of His power. And it does. The Bible describes itself not as a static object but as a dynamic and powerful force in the life of a believer. It does things that normal books simply cannot do.
Can a Book Really Be “Alive and Active”?
The book of Hebrews makes one of the most incredible claims about Scripture in the entire Bible. It says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
This is not normal book language. “Alive and active.” When I read a novel, the words sit on the page. They might stir my imagination, but they don’t actively do something to me. But the Bible claims to be different. It reads us while we read it.
The “double-edged sword” analogy is powerful. In ancient times, a sword was a tool for both attack and defense, but here the image is more like a surgeon’s scalpel. It’s not meant to harm us but to heal us. It performs spiritual surgery, cutting away the unhealthy parts of our lives—the pride, the fear, the secret sins—that we often can’t see ourselves. It gets to the very core of our motivations, judging the “thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
I remember reading a passage I’d read a dozen times before, and suddenly, one verse felt like it leaped off the page. It exposed an area of selfishness in my heart I had been ignoring for weeks. It was uncomfortable. But it was also incredibly freeing. That’s the Word of God being alive and active.
What Does it Mean to Have a “Lamp to My Feet”?
The longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, is a beautiful, extended love letter about God’s Word. One of its most famous verses gives us another stunning image of Scripture’s purpose: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).
Imagine walking through a pitch-black forest at night. You’d be terrified of tripping, of getting lost, of what might be lurking in the shadows. A lamp wouldn’t light up the entire forest at once. It would just illuminate the next few steps in front of you, showing you where to safely place your feet.
This is what the Bible does for our lives. It doesn’t always give us a five-year plan or show us the entire map from start to finish. But it does give us enough light for the next step. It provides the wisdom, guidance, and truth we need to navigate the decisions and darkness of today. When we face confusion about a career choice, a relationship problem, or a moral dilemma, God’s Word lights the way forward, one step at a time. It keeps us from stumbling in the dark.
What Should Our Attitude Be When We Approach Reading the Bible?
So, the Bible is God-breathed, powerful, and essential for our lives. That’s amazing. But how should we approach it? Our posture and attitude matter deeply. You can have the most powerful tool in the world, but if you don’t approach it with respect and a desire to learn, it won’t do you much good.
Is Reading the Bible Supposed to Be a Chore or a Joy?
For many of us, if we’re being honest, reading the Bible can sometimes feel like a chore. It’s something on our spiritual to-do list that we check off to feel good about ourselves. But the Bible presents a radically different picture.
Psalm 1 opens by describing the person who is truly blessed and thriving in their life. What is their secret? It says, “…but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night” (Psalm 1:2).
The key word is delight. This isn’t the language of duty; it’s the language of desire. It’s the same feeling you get when you spend time with someone you love or enjoy a favorite hobby. The prophet Jeremiah felt this when he said, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16). He didn’t just read God’s words; he consumed them. They became a part of him, nourishing him and bringing him deep, profound joy.
So, if it doesn’t feel like a delight for you right now, what can you do?
Here are a few things that have helped me:
- Pray First: Before you open the Bible, ask God to open your heart. Ask Him to speak to you and to give you a hunger for His Word.
- Remove Distractions: Find a quiet place and time. Turn off your phone. Give the Word the attention it deserves.
- Read for Transformation, Not Just Information: Don’t just try to get through a chapter. Look for one verse or one idea that stands out to you. Ask, “God, what do you want me to learn from this today?”
- Share What You Learn: When a verse excites you or challenges you, tell someone. Sharing your discoveries makes them more real and deepens your own joy.
How Can We Truly Understand What We Are Reading?
The Bible isn’t always easy to understand. There are complex histories, ancient cultures, and deep theological concepts. The Bible itself acknowledges this. In fact, it says that spiritual understanding is impossible on our own. Paul explains, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
This is huge. It means that the same Holy Spirit who inspired the writing of the Bible is the one who illuminates our minds to understand it. That’s why prayer before reading is so crucial. We are asking the author to sit with us and explain what He meant.
Furthermore, we see the importance of community and teaching. In Acts 8, a man from Ethiopia is reading the prophet Isaiah in his chariot. Philip, one of the apostles, is sent by God to meet him. Philip asks, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man’s reply is so humble and honest: “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” (Acts 8:31).
This shows us that we need each other. We need pastors, teachers, and fellow believers to help us understand and apply God’s Word. Studying the Bible in a small group or learning from trusted online resources can be incredibly helpful. For those interested in a deeper dive into the methods of interpretation, many seminaries offer excellent guides, such as this one on A Guide To Bible Study from Dallas Theological Seminary.
Are There Any Warnings in the Bible About How We Handle Scripture?
Just as the Bible is powerful for good, it can be dangerous when misused. A powerful tool in the wrong hands, or used with the wrong motives, can cause great harm. Scripture is very clear that we are to handle God’s Word with the utmost care, reverence, and humility.
Is it Possible to Misuse or Twist God’s Word?
Sadly, the answer is a clear yes. The Apostle Peter, when writing about Paul’s letters, notes that they contain “some things that are hard to understand.” He then gives a chilling warning. He says that ignorant and unstable people “distort [them], as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16).
This is a serious charge. Twisting Scripture—making it say something it doesn’t mean to serve our own agenda—is spiritually destructive. It happens when we take verses out of context, ignore the original meaning, or use the Bible as a weapon to judge or harm others. This warning calls us to humility. It reminds us to always ask, “What did the original author intend to say?” rather than “What do I want this to mean for me?”
What About Adding or Subtracting from the Bible?
From the beginning of the Bible to the very end, there are stern warnings about tampering with the content of God’s revelation. In Deuteronomy, Moses instructs the people of Israel, “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you” (Deuteronomy 4:2).
This command is echoed in the final chapter of the entire Bible. In Revelation, John writes, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life” (Revelation 22:18-19).
The message is clear: God’s Word is complete and authoritative. It is not ours to edit, update, or change. Our job is not to be critics of the Word, but to be students of it, allowing it to change us.
So, How Should I Practically Start Reading the Bible Today?
Understanding the why and the how is wonderful, but it all comes down to actually doing it. The Bible gives us beautiful examples and practical commands about how to integrate God’s Word into the fabric of our daily lives.
Does the Bible Say We Should Study It Every Single Day?
The book of Acts tells the story of the believers in a town called Berea. When Paul and Silas came and preached the gospel to them, they didn’t just accept it blindly. Instead, they were praised for being “of more noble character than those in Thessalonica.” Why? Because “they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11).
This is a powerful model for us. Their daily examination wasn’t born out of religious duty, but “great eagerness.” They were hungry for truth. While this isn’t a direct command that you are sinning if you miss a day, it is a beautiful picture of what a healthy, thriving faith looks like.
Consistency is far more important than quantity. It is better to spend 15 focused minutes in the Bible every day than to read for two hours once a month. Daily time in God’s Word keeps our hearts tuned to His voice and protects us from the spiritual drift that so easily happens in our busy world.
What Does it Mean to “Meditate” on Scripture?
When God appointed Joshua to lead the people of Israel, He gave him a specific instruction for success. He said, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8).
The modern idea of meditation is often about emptying the mind. But biblical meditation is the exact opposite. It’s about filling your mind with a specific truth from God’s Word. The Hebrew word for meditate literally means “to mutter” or “to chew on.” It’s the image of a cow chewing its cud—constantly bringing it back up to get all the nourishment out of it.
How do you do this?
- Pick a Verse: After your daily reading, choose one verse that stood out to you.
- Write it Down: Put it on a notecard or in your phone.
- Think About It: Throughout the day, bring it back to mind. Think about its meaning. What does it teach you about God? What does it teach you about yourself?
- Personalize It: Pray the verse back to God. For example, if the verse is Psalm 119:105, you might pray, “God, thank you that your Word is a lamp to my feet. Please light my path today as I make this decision at work.”
This practice takes the Bible from being a book you read in the morning to a living voice that guides and encourages you all day long.
Conclusion: The “Wow” Is a Person
So, what does the Bible say about reading the Bible? It says it’s not about reading a book at all. It’s about meeting with God.
It’s about listening to the “God-breathed” words of our Creator. It’s about picking up the “living and active” sword that heals our hearts. It’s about turning on the “lamp” that guides our feet. It’s about finding a “delight” and a “joy” that sustains our souls. It’s about meditating on truth so that we can be “equipped for every good work.”
The ultimate “Wow” isn’t just that the Bible says all these incredible things about itself. The “Wow” is that every single one of them points us to a person: Jesus Christ. He is called “the Word made flesh” (John 1:14). When we read the Bible, we are not just studying a text; we are getting to know Him.
Don’t just take my word for it. Pick it up. Open its pages with a humble heart. And prepare to say, “Wow.”
Frequently Asked Questions – What Does the Bible Say About Reading the Bible
How should we approach reading the Bible to gain the most spiritual benefit?
We should approach the Bible with humility, a soft heart, and a readiness to be changed. It’s important to be doers of the Word, not just hearers, and to share it within the community of believers for encouragement and growth.
What does the Bible say about the power and trustworthiness of its words?
The Bible states it is God’s breath and His living, active Word, which can penetrate deeply into our hearts, bringing change and healing, as it is sharper than a sword and discerned thoughts and feelings.
What promises does the Bible make to those who read and heed it?
The Bible promises blessings to those who read and obey it, including spiritual growth, protection from sin, and the assurance of God’s presence and faithfulness, offering hope and comfort in tough times.
In what ways does the Bible guide us in our daily lives?
The Bible guides us by providing wisdom and direction, much like a lamp lighting our way in darkness. It helps us make good choices in our relationships, work, and daily routines, acting as God’s loving guide.
Why did God give us the Bible and what does it reveal about His heart?
God gave us the Bible to help us understand His love, fairness, mercy, and power. It reveals His heart and shows us that He desires a personal friendship with us, speaking to us as a loving Father.
