The Bible: the most read book in history
The Bible is not a single book but a library of sixty-six books written over some fifteen hundred years by more than forty different authors: kings, shepherds, fishermen, prophets, a physician, a tax collector and a former persecutor of the Church. It was written in three languages —Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek— and on three continents. And yet it tells one coherent story: God’s plan to rescue humanity through Jesus Christ. It is the most translated, most printed and most read book in history. Today the complete Bible is available in more than 800 languages, and portions of it in more than 3,700.
The word “Bible” comes from the Greek ta biblia, meaning “the books”. Christians also call it “the Holy Scriptures” or “the Word of God”, because they believe that, although it was written by human beings with their own style and personality, it was inspired by God.
“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.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
How was the Bible formed?
The Old Testament gathers the sacred books of the people of Israel. Jews arrange them in three parts: the Torah (the Law), the Nevi’im (the Prophets) and the Ketuvim (the Writings). Jesus referred to this division when he spoke of “the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms” (Luke 24:44). Several centuries before Christ these books were translated into Greek in Alexandria; that translation, called the Septuagint, was widely used by the first Christians.
The New Testament was written in Greek during the second half of the first century. Paul’s earliest letters, such as 1 Thessalonians, date from around AD 50. The four Gospels, Acts, the letters and Revelation circulated among the churches, which read them in their gatherings. Over time the Church recognised which books were apostolic and faithful to the faith received. By the end of the fourth century the twenty-seven books of the New Testament were widely recognised.
Catholic and Orthodox Bibles also include some books called deuterocanonical, such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch and 1 and 2 Maccabees. Protestant Bibles usually omit them or place them separately as “Apocrypha”. All Christian traditions share the remaining 66 books.
Can we trust the text of the Bible?
No ancient work has as many manuscripts as the New Testament: more than five thousand eight hundred Greek manuscripts survive, along with thousands of ancient translations into Latin, Syriac, Coptic and other languages. Some fragments, such as papyrus P52 with a few verses of John’s Gospel, date from the first half of the second century. By comparison, many classical Greek and Latin works survive in only a handful of copies made centuries later.
As for the Old Testament, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran from 1947 onwards was extraordinary. Among them was the Great Isaiah Scroll, copied around the second century BC, more than a thousand years older than the Hebrew manuscripts known until then. Comparing them, scholars confirmed the remarkable faithfulness with which the text had been passed down over the centuries.
The great themes of the Bible
Creation: God is the origin of all that exists, and he created human beings in his image. The fall: sin broke the relationship between humanity and God and brought suffering and death. The promise: from Genesis 3:15 God announces a Saviour. Covenant: God makes covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses and David, and promises a new covenant. Redemption: in Jesus Christ God fulfils his promises, forgives sin and reconciles the world to himself. Restoration: the Bible ends with new heavens and a new earth, where God will wipe away every tear.
You can follow this great story step by step in our series From Creation to Jesus, with 34 episodes from Genesis to the Gospels, and in the timeline and genealogy from Adam to Jesus.
Who is God according to the Bible?
The Bible does not present God through a philosophical treatise, but through his works and his words. He is the almighty, eternal Creator, dependent on nothing and no one. He is holy, that is, completely pure and distinct from all that is created. He is just, and does not leave evil unpunished. He is faithful, and keeps his promises. And above all, he is love.
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
1 John 4:8-10
The Christian faith confesses that the one God exists eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This truth, called the Trinity, is revealed especially at Jesus’ baptism and in the command to baptise “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. You can go deeper in our articles on the Trinity and Why believe in God?.
The names of God
In the Bible God reveals himself with various names that express his character. Elohim is the mighty God and Creator. YHWH, the sacred name revealed to Moses, is linked with “I AM THAT I AM” and rendered the LORD or Jehovah. El Shaddai means “God Almighty”. Adonai means “Lord”. Other titles arose from concrete experiences: Jehovah-jireh, “the Lord will provide”, on Mount Moriah; Jehovah-rapha, “the Lord that healeth thee”; Jehovah-shalom, “the Lord is peace”, in Gideon’s day; and Jehovah-rohi, “the Lord is my shepherd”, in Psalm 23. In the New Testament Jesus teaches us to call God Abba, “Father”.
How to read the Bible profitably
Start with the Gospels. Knowing Jesus is the key to understanding all of Scripture. The Gospel of John or of Mark is a good starting point. Read regularly. One chapter a day is better than many chapters once a month. Pray before reading. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your understanding. Ask questions of the text: what does it say? what did it mean to its first readers? what does it teach me about God? what does it ask me to do? Keep the context in mind. Read verses within their chapter and book, and distinguish history, poetry, prophecy, law and letters. Compare translations. In Bible versions you will find links to official sites with many translations. Read in community. A Bible study group will help you understand better and apply what you learn.
A simple plan to begin
Week 1: the Gospel of Mark, two chapters a day. Week 2: Genesis 1 to 12, and a Psalm each day. Week 3: the Gospel of John. Week 4: Acts 1 to 12 and Proverbs, one chapter a day. By the end of the month you will have met the life of Jesus, the beginnings, the first steps of the Church and the Bible’s practical wisdom. Then you can continue with Romans, Exodus, Isaiah and the other books.
The Bible transforms lives
Throughout history, reading the Bible has changed lives and nations. Augustine of Hippo was converted on reading Romans 13:13-14. Martin Luther rediscovered grace studying Romans 1:17. Translating the Bible into the languages of ordinary people drove literacy in many countries. And today millions of people around the world continue to find in its pages comfort, direction and, above all, Jesus Christ.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
Frequently asked questions about the Bible
Which is the longest book? The book of Psalms has 150 chapters; by word count, Jeremiah is the longest. And the shortest? The third letter of John, with just 14 or 15 verses depending on the translation. When was it divided into chapters and verses? Chapters were introduced in the thirteenth century by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, and New Testament verses by the printer Robert Estienne in 1551. What was the first printed Bible? The Gutenberg Bible, printed in Latin around 1455. What was the first complete Bible in Spanish? The Bear Bible, translated by Casiodoro de Reina and published in Basel in 1569, later revised by Cipriano de Valera in 1602; the Reina-Valera tradition comes from them.
A prayer before reading the Word
Lord, open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. May your Word be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Speak to me through it, correct me, comfort me and guide me. And above all, show me Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Amen.