What does the Bible say about...?

Themes from the Bible with explanations and context,
to help you navigate the Word of God.

Highlights

The Bible is a sweeping story of God’s steadfast love — a love that creates, rescues, redeems, and restores. In Jesus, we see this love fully revealed, calling us to receive it and reflect it in our lives. Jesus clearly teaches that the greatest commandment is to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength - and the next greatest commandment is to ‘love your neighbour as yourself.’

Quotes from Scripture:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (NIV)
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (NIV)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34–35 (NIV)
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37–39 (NIV)
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 (NIV)
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NIV)
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NIV)
“Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2 (NIV)
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

Read more

The Bible is a coherent compilation of writings from across hundreds of years of history, focusing on the nature of God, and the relationship between God and humanity, with a particular emphasis and structure highlighting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Looking at the Bible thematically works most effectively when segments (Verses, Passages, Chapters, and Books) are read with context about the type of writing presented, the history of the author(s) and their audience(s), and the role it plays in the wider narrative through the Bible.

The following themes have been chosen to help bring clarity, and a bit of context to the Bible, connecting the wisdom contained to the lives of everyday readers. This list is not exhaustive and we will continue adding to it.

A-Z List

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What does the Bible say about...?