Why Study The Word?

The motivations for personal Bible study are God’s commands, spiritual strength for personal transformation, and preparation for Christian service.

An accepted axiom of Christianity states, “What a believer does is important. Equally significant are the reasons or motives behind their actions.” God desires for His people to engage in wholesome activities for reasons that are pleasing to Him. And of course anything that is pleasing to God is also good for the child of God. Then the question we must ponder at this point is, “Why study the Bible?” Why should a Christian invest the time and energy into the discipline of studying God’s Word? Isn’t reading the Bible good enough to satisfy our needs? Please consider these Bible-based prescriptions:

God Requires the Study of His Word

While it is true that Bible reading is quite beneficial, but substantial growth in grace and knowledge will certainly require study. Actually studying the Word is mandated by the Lord Himself. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Forthrightly this passage commands believers to study the Scriptures. The word “study” means “to be diligent, earnest, or eager." The idea is for us to make every effort to do our best. Christians should pull out all the stops to ensure we handle God’s truth accurately for personal development and effective ministry to others. Certainly the Lord Jesus deserves our very best efforts when we undertake for Him. This requires study on our part. J. Vernon McGee said,

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God.” You are to study, eager to do your utmost, to present yourself approved unto God. The workman here is evidently a teacher, which means he is to be a diligent student of the Word of God. –McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary

There is everything right with seeking to please God through a diligent Bible study life. Again this pleasing to the Lord. What genuine Christ-centered believer does not yearn to please the Lord who saved us from our sins? We are to work at this, and keep it as a high priority in our lives. A rich and deep personal study of the Word twice during the week would yield incredible insight into the Lord God, the Christian Faith, and spiritual development. Wiersbe insightfully added,

The emphasis in this paragraph is that the workman needs to be diligent in his labors so that he will not be ashamed when his work is inspected. “Rightly dividing” means “cutting straight” and can be applied to many different tasks: plowing a straight furrow, cutting a straight board, sewing a straight seam.— Wiersbe, Warren: The Bible Exposition Commentary

God expects each of His children to develop the discipline of studying His Word on a regular basis. The Lord Jesus challenged His Jewish contemporaries to “search the Scriptures” (Jn. 5:39). Let us take this great advice to heart as well.  Paul advised, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another ….” (Colossians 3:16). Clearly obedience to these passages requires study, meditation, and reflection on the Word as a habit. These statements contain good advice for us all. This NT imperative is applicable to every believer since we all should be capable of effectively communicating God’s truth to saints and sinners (1Pet. 3:15). Ultimately we are mindful of the reality that such diligence pleases the Lord and satisfies His requirements.  

Spiritual Strength for Transformed Living

Another reason for studying the Word is learning the Bible will make us stronger Christians (1Jn. 2:14). Just as natural food strengthens the body for daily life, God’s spiritual food fortifies the inner man in Christ for godly living. God wants us to be reinforced internally by the Word remaining constantly in us as a controlling influence. We need strength through the trials, temptations, and spiritual battles we will face as Christians.  God desires for us to wage warfare in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10-20).

Power from God is essential to spiritual development. Bible study significantly impacts our personal growth in Christ. Though this was briefly implied, many passages highlight individual enlargement as a worthy motive.

Acknowledging this encourages us tremendously in this challenging but personally rewarding endeavor. Consider these strengthening motivations for studying God’s Word. Bible Study will:

•         give assurance of Salvation (1Jn. 5:13)

•         give confidence and power in prayer (1Jn. 5:14, 15; Jn. 5:17)

•         cleanse the heart of sin (Jn. 15:3; 17:17; 1Jn. 1:9)

•         give guidance for decision making (Ps. 119:105)

•         identify and reinforce spiritual and moral values (Isa. 5:20; Matt. 6:19, 20, 33; Acts 5:29)

•         increase your knowledge of God, His ways, will, and potentially enter into greater intimacy with Him (2Pet. 1:2-4; 3:18)

•         stimulate spiritual growth and Christlike formation (2Cor. 3:17-18; 1Pet. 2:2, 3)

•         equip you to study the Bible for yourself

•         provide everything you need to know about life from God’s perspective

•         strengthen your faith against temptations in your daily walk (1Cor. 10:11-13)

Study and adherence to God's truth will sanctify and transform our values, priorities, desires, decisions, and plans.

Preparation for Service to Christ

In addition to God’s command and an increase in spiritual strength, studying the Bible will mature us and prepare us for a life of service to others. Notice what else Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

You see, Bible study will transform our life and equip us for service to Christ! Because the Scriptures are inspired and infallible, they are entirely authoritative for our faith, lives, and ministries.  Wiersbe observed,

Earlier Paul had called Timothy a “man of God” (1 Tim. 6:11); but here Paul states that any Christian can become a person “of God.” How? By studying the Word of God, obeying it, and letting it control his life. It is worth noting that all of the “men of God” named in Scripture—including Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, David, and Timothy—were men who were devoted to God’s Word.

The purpose of Bible study is not just to understand doctrines or to be able to defend the faith, as important as these things are. The ultimate purpose is the equipping of the believers who read it. It is the Word of God that equips God’s people to do the work of God. –Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary

Two words in 2 Timothy 3:17, are especially important: “perfect” and “furnished.” The word translated “perfect” means “complete, in fit shape, in fit condition.” It does not suggest sinless perfection. Rather, it implies being fitted for use.

“Furnished” has a similar meaning: “equipped for service.” In other words, the Word of God furnishes and equips a believer so that he can live a life that pleases God and do the work God would be pleased with. The better we know the Word, the better we are able to live and work for God.

There are many other healthy motives for studying God’s Word. None of which includes a place for pride, arrogance, becoming a ‘know-it-all,’ arguing and fighting with other believers, or a desire for distinction as a scholar. God never condones such carnal ambitions.

So, why should we study the Bible? Because God has commanded us to study it, it affords us spiritual strength to live for God and win the battles over sin and temptations, and it will mature us and prepare us for ministry in Christ’s name so that we significantly impact others for Christ’s glory. Through students of the Scriptures God has disciples capable of leading others to faith in Christ, developing authentic followers of our Lord, and furnishing the work of His churches with deeply spiritual and skilled servants. Many students of the Bible could personally testify to these claims.

What about you? Are you obeying our Lord's requirement to study? Are you developing in the Lord according to the image and stature of Christ Jesus? Are you engaged and capable of executing meaningful ministry through our Lord's church? If the answer is no to any of these questions, then you have reasons to schedule and follow through on a commitment to regular personal Bible study.