Many people have a favorite life verse that speaks to their heart. Most often these verses are commonly known, but every once in a while someone claims a verse that is not familiar to many people. Likewise, there are certain books of the Bible that tend to be favorites or are useful when considering certain themes. In our minds, these favorites all have prominence based on our opinion, but for some, there are some books of the Bible that are more important than others. Is there any book in the Bible that is more important than the others? A short Bible study will give us the answer.
What are some reasons that people may think a book in the Bible is more important than the others?
Many people see the Bible as nothing more than a collection of writings by many different authors. I have met some people that think that the books written by the Apostle Paul should not be included in the Bible because of a few early church history leaders that used his writings to support theologies that were not in keeping with Scripture. Likewise, there are some people who believe that when the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD the promises made to Israel were transferred to the church. They quietly acknowledge that any book written after 70 AD, like the book of Revelation, is not Scriptural and should be excluded from the Bible. Then they use this theology to deny the second coming of Christ and his 1000-year kingdom reign on earth as well as the Great White Throne Judgment of those who have rejected Christ (Revelation 19-20). Finally, there are some people that say that nothing in the Old Testament should be even studied because it no longer applies. Some of these people boldly proclaim their church is a “New Testament” church, not because they reject legalism, but because they think the Old Testament is not profitable or has any life application today.
Many people see the Bible as nothing more than a collection of writings by many different authors.
Are there books in the Bible that apply better than others in certain situations?
There is certainly a case to be made for this. For example, it is clear that the book of Hebrews was written to Jews who had become believers. Throughout the book comparisons are made between the framework and practice of the law and its fulfillment and application through Christ. Hebrews 12:1-4 describes how the faith of the Old Testament saints described in Hebrews 11 provides for us today a cloud of witnesses, whose example we should follow (See also: 1 Corinthians 10:1-14; Philippians 4:9; Hebrews 13:7). Likewise, when it comes to practical application of God’s grace to living our lives and the role of the local church, Ephesians has great application. Some may even say that the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are more important because they directly tell of the ministry and teachings of Jesus while He walked the earth as a human man. It is clear from these examples and more that there are books in the Bible that apply better than others in certain situations.
What does the Bible say about the importance of Scripture?
To answer this question, we must consider a few things about the Word of God. First, we have to understand that the Bible is not only a collection of writings, Jesus was the embodiment of the Word (Genesis 15:1-6; John 1:1, 14; John 14:7; John 17:17; Colossians 3:16). Likewise, the author of the Word of God in the form of the Bible was not those who wrote it down. The author that told them what to write was God the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-26; John 16:4-15; 2 Peter 1:16-21). Since the author of the Bible was God, we must consider what God says about all the Scriptures being important. We see in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 the following:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
First, God tells us that ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, meaning that it is God breathed or spoken. In other words, God is the source or author. Second we see that is profitable for four things: doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Doctrine is God’s truth. Reproof shows us where we do not measure up to God’s truth. Correction shows the changes needed. Instruction in righteousness shows us how we make the changes. Finally, the reason it is profitable is so that we may be perfect, like Jesus and throughly, meaning inside and out, furnished or prepared for all good works.
Of note is that Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:15 that “from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” This shows us that the Scriptures give us the wisdom we need to be saved. In this light, we can better understand 1 Corinthians 1:30 as follows: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption…” Christ, as the entire Word of God, fulfills everything that 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches us when it comes to the Scriptures being inspired, profitable, and instructive for our salvation, perfection, and good works.
Therefore, if the entire collection of the Scriptures was given to us for these purposes, to say that one book of the Bible is any more important than any other book would be like saying that either the wisdom, the righteousness, the sanctification, or the redemption of Christ was any more important than the others. Likewise, to say that the Old Testament is of no value, is to say that we cannot learn anything from the Old Testament nor see its place as God’s covenant in relation to His New Testament covenant (See 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; 2 Corinthians 3; Hebrews 4:1-11; Hebrews 8:1-5; Jude 1:1-14). Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
Summary
Many people see the Bible as nothing more than a collection of writings by many different authors. There are books in the Bible that do apply better than others in certain situations. We have to understand that the Bible is not only a collection of writings, Jesus was the embodiment of the Word. As the embodiment of the Word, to say that one book of the Bible is any more important than any other book would be like saying that either the wisdom, the righteousness, the sanctification, or the redemption of Christ was any more important than the others. Therefore, no book of the Bible is more important than any others.
Take a look at this related article: Books of the Bible
Resources – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, King James Version
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