My mother-in-law had a subscription to Kristelig Dagblad all her married life and Ida and I always enjoyed reading the back numbers when she finished with them. These days I take a look now and again at the on-line version. It is a Danish daily newspaper that writes from a Christian angle but is independent of any political party, denomination or church organization. It focuses on faith, ethics and life and also covers contemporary issues arising in development, social justice, culture and history as well as giving a serious perspective and overview of what is making the news. While concentrating on Evangelical-Lutheran matters, it is ecumenical as well, covering both domestic and world religious concerns. With its openness and independence in dealing with the most important issues in life, it is well-respected too outside Church circles.
Interestingly, and of contemporary relevance to us in present-day Scotland, it was established in 1896, crowd-funded by a group of Danish evangelical Christians, as a counterweight, and to provide some objectivity, to the then Radical and anti-clerical Politiken and other titles belonging to the powerful and partisan establishment press of the day.
Anyway, Kristelig Dagblad this week drew my attention to another interesting list appearing on the online Bible, BibleGateway. It listed the most popular Bible verses from the 25 million searches taking place between March and April of this year. I thought this was worth wider distribution and would be of interest to readers of the blog, if you had not come across it.
It is, however, not just a simple popularity count of the most read passages; the results for that unsurprisingly consists of John 3:16 and the verses on Love from 1 Corinthians 13, the creation in Genesis 1, Life in the Spirit in Romans 8, and Psalm 23. The list instead counted searches of three or fewer verses at one time.
The least popular passage was 1 Chronicles 23-27, dealing with the organization of the priests and officials under King David.
The 100 most-read Bible verses on BibleGateway.com from the NIV were:
1.
John 3:16: For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2.
Jer 29:11: For
I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and
not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
3.
Rom 8:28: And
we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose.
4.
Phil 4:13: I
can do everything through him who gives me strength.
5.
Gen 1:1: In the
beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
6.
Prov 3:5: Trust
in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
7.
Prov 3:6: in
all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
8.
Rom 12:2: Do
not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s
will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
9.
Phil 4:6: Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
10.
Matt 28:19:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
11.
Eph 2:8: For it
is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it
is the gift of God—
12.
Gal 5:22: But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness,
13.
Rom 12:1:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies
as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of
worship.
14.
John 10:10:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may
have life, and have it to the full.
15.
Acts 18:10:
For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have
many people in this city.”
16.
Acts 18:9: One
night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking,
do not be silent.
17.
Acts 18:11:
So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
18.
Gal 2:20: I
have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave himself for me.
19.
1 John 1:9: If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
purify us from all unrighteousness.
20.
Rom 3:23: for
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
21.
John 14:6:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.
22.
Matt 28:20:
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
you always, to the very end of the age.”
23.
Rom 5:8: But God
demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.
24.
Phil 4:8:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
25.
Phil 4:7: And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
26.
Josh 1:9: Have
I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be
discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
27.
Isa 40:31: but
those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings
like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
28.
Eph 2:9: not by
works, so that no one can boast.
29.
Rom 6:23: For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
30.
Gal 5:23: gentleness
and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
31.
Isa 53:5: But
he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
32.
1 Pet 3:15:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect,
33.
2 Tim 3:16:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting
and training in righteousness,
34.
Matt 6:33: But
seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well.
35.
Heb 12:2: Let
us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the
joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God.
36.
1 Pet 5:7: Cast
all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
37.
Eph 2:10: For
we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do.
38.
1 Cor 10:13:
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;
he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
39.
Matt 11:28:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
40.
Heb 11:1: Now
faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
41.
2 Cor 5:17:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the
new has come!
42.
Heb 13:5: Keep
your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,
because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
43.
2 Cor 12:9:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
44.
Rom 10:9: That
if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
45.
Isa 41:10: So
do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
46.
Gen 1:26: Then
God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule
over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all
the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
47.
Matt 11:29:
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
48.
John 16:33:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world
you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
49.
Acts 1:8: But
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth.”
50.
2 Tim 1:7: For
God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of
self-discipline.
51.
Isa 53:4:
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered
him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
52.
2 Cor 5:21:
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become
the righteousness of God.
53.
Rom 15:13: May
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that
you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
54.
John 11:25:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me
will live, even though he dies;
55.
Heb 11:6: And
without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him
must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
56.
John 5:24: “I
tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has
eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
57.
Jas 1:2:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
58.
Isa 53:6: We
all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and
the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
59.
Acts 2:38:
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit.
60.
Eph 3:20: Now
to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
61.
Matt 11:30:
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
62.
Gen 1:27: So
God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and
female he created them.
63.
Col 3:12:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
64.
Heb 12:1:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us
throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let
us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
65.
Jas 5:16:
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you
may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
66.
Acts 17:11:
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they
received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day
to see if what Paul said was true.
67.
Phil 4:19: And
my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ
Jesus.
68.
John 1:1: In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
69.
1 Cor 6:19: Do
you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom
you have received from God? You are not your own;
70.
1 John 3:16:
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And
we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
71.
Ps 133:1: How
good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
72.
John 14:27:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
73.
Heb 4:12: For
the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
74.
John 15:13:
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
75.
Mic 6:8: He has
showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act
justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
76.
Rom 10:17:
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard
through the word of Christ.
77.
John 1:12: Yet
to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right
to become children of God—
78.
Jas 1:12:
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the
test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love
him.
79.
Jas 1:3: because
you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
80.
Rom 8:38: For I
am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither
the present nor the future, nor any powers,
81.
Rom 8:39:
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
82.
Heb 10:25: Let
us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
83.
2 Pet 1:4:
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that
through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption
in the world caused by evil desires.
84.
Phil 1:6: being
confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
85.
Ps 133:3: It is
as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows
his blessing, even life forevermore.
86.
Heb 4:16: Let
us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
87.
Ps 37:4: Delight
yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
88.
John 3:17: For
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the
world through him.
89.
Acts 4:12:
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we must be saved.”
90.
Isa 26:3: You
will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in
you.
91.
1 Pet 2:24: He
himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and
live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
92.
Josh 1:8: Do
not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will
be prosperous and successful.
93.
Matt 28:18:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me.
94.
Col 3:23:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not
for men,
95.
Matt 22:37:
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind.’
96.
Ps 133:2: It is
like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down
on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
97.
Matt 5:16: In
the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good
deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
98.
Isa 55:8: “For
my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the
LORD.
99.
Heb 4:15: For
we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was
without sin.
100.
John 13:35:
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
