In 2 Timothy 3:16, the Apostle Paul tells us that:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
Given that all scripture is God’s word, is it OK to have favorite books, chapters or verses of the Bible? I believe it is. Derek Thomas in his Ligonier teaching series Romans 8: No Condemnation, gives a scenario in which we are with someone in the final moments of their life. Would they rather hear read to them a comforting passage from a psalm, the words of Jesus, or a genealogy passage from Exodus 6? All are equally inspired, but some are more loved and helpful than others.
Do you have a favorite book of the Bible? I would list Romans, written by the Apostle Paul as mine, though I have not come close to plumbing the debts of the book. I’ve recently been helped by Robert Godfrey’s Ligonier teaching series Not Ashamed: Paul’s Letter to the Romans. A shorter, and more accessible book that I love is Paul’s letter to the Philippians. My love for that book was increased through listening to Steven Lawson’s Ligonier teaching series Rejoice in the Lord: Paul’s Letter to the Philippians.
Do you have a favorite chapter from the Bible? Some may choose Psalm 23, Isaiah 6, or Revelation 21. I would choose Romans 8, which Derek Thomas calls in his book The Gospel Leads Us All The Way Home (a companion to his teaching series Romans 8: No Condemnation), “the best chapter of the Bible”. This chapter has a number of well-loved verses in it. Here are just three of them:
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Most Christians have favorite verses of the Bible, verses that are special to them. My favorite verse for integrating my faith with the work is:
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23
Another one of my favorite verses is:
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21
A few years ago, I wrote “The Incredible Truth of 2 Corinthians 5:21 – The Great Exchange!” about this verse.
Here’s my wife’s favorite verse (you have to picture a deep bass voice like James Earl Jones):
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by his love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Yes, I think it is appropriate to have favorite books, chapters and verses of the Bible, understanding that all of the Bible is God’s word. I’ve listed a few of my favorites above. What are some of your favorite books, chapters and verses of the Bible?