Fostering a Love for Scripture in Others and Prioritizing

Fostering a Love for Scripture in Others

Fostering a love for Scripture in others involves cultivating an environment where individuals can grow in their understanding and appreciation of the Bible. The apostle Paul's exhortation to Timothy to "pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching" (1 Timothy 4:13) ^[2] highlights the importance of engaging with Scripture. This engagement is not limited to personal reading but also includes communal practices such as public reading and discussion.

The love for Scripture is closely tied to the love for God and for one another. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, love to God is commanded and is a characteristic of saints ^[4]. This love is manifested in obedience to God's commandments and is perfected in obedience (1 John 2:5) ^[4]. Similarly, love for one another is a hallmark of Christian discipleship, as Jesus taught (John 13:35) ^[5]. Paul's writings emphasize that love should be a primary aim among believers, guiding their actions and interactions (1 Corinthians 14:1) ^{[1, 3]}.

Prioritizing Love for Scripture

Prioritizing love for Scripture involves recognizing its central role in Christian life and practice. The Bible is not just a text to be studied; it is the Word of God that nourishes faith and guides believers in their walk with God. As Calvin noted in his commentary on Isaiah, the gifts that God has given, including the gift of Scripture, should be welcomed and used for the edification of the Church ^[7].

The practice of reading and studying Scripture is a communal activity that strengthens the bonds among believers. The early Christian communities read Scripture publicly and discussed it, as seen in Acts 13:15 and 1 Timothy 4:13 ^{[2, 8]}. This communal engagement with Scripture fosters a deeper love for it and for one another.

Cultivating a Deeper Love for Scripture

Cultivating a deeper love for Scripture requires intentional practices and a supportive community. Matthew Henry's commentary on Hebrews 13:1 emphasizes the importance of brotherly love and other Christian duties, highlighting that these practices are integral to a vibrant Christian life ^[9]. Similarly, John Chrysostom's homilies on Romans encourage believers to love one another sincerely and to prefer one another in honor (Romans 12:10) ^[11].

The love for Scripture is also nurtured through personal and communal devotion. Believers are encouraged to seek spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy, which edifies the church (1 Corinthians 14:1) ^{[1, 3, 6]}. This pursuit of spiritual gifts is guided by love, ensuring that the exercise of these gifts contributes to the building up of the body of Christ.

Tradition and Interpretation

Different Christian traditions have emphasized various aspects of cultivating a love for Scripture. The Reformed tradition, for example, has stressed the importance of Scripture reading and exposition in worship and personal devotion, following the example of the Puritans ^{[8, 10]}. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as seen in the writings of John Chrysostom, emphasizes the role of love and mutual honor among believers ^[11].

Conclusion

Fostering a love for Scripture in others and prioritizing it involves a multifaceted approach that includes personal devotion, communal practices, and the pursuit of spiritual gifts guided by love. By engaging with Scripture and with one another in love, believers can deepen their understanding and appreciation of God's Word. As the biblical texts and the interpretations of various Christian traditions underscore, love for Scripture is integral to a vibrant and faithful Christian life.

Sources

I Corinthians “I Corinthians 14:1 (BSB) — Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.”
1 Timothy “Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. -- 1 Timothy 4:13”
1 Corinthians “1 Corinthians 14:1 (NASB) — Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to God — Commanded -- De 11:1; Jos 22:5. The first great commandment -- Mt 22:38. With all the heart -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Better than all sacrifices -- Mr 12:33. Produced by The Holy Spirit. -- Ga 5:22; 2Th 3:5. The love of God to us. -- 1Jo 4:19. Answers to prayer. -- Ps 116:1. Exhibited by Christ -- Joh 14:31. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 5:11. Should produce Joy. -- Ps 5:11. Love to saints. -- 1Jo 5:1. Hatred of sin. -- Ps 97:10. Obedience to God. -- De 30:20; 1Jo 5:3. Perfected in obedience -- 1Jo 2:5. Perfected, gives boldness -- 1Jo 4:17,18. God, faith”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Christ — Exhibited by God -- Mt 17:5; Joh 5:20. Exhibited by saints -- 1Pe 1:8. His personal excellence is deserving of -- Song 5:9-16. His love to us a motive to -- 2Co 5:14. Manifested in Seeking him. -- Song 3:2. Obeying him. -- Joh 14:15,21,23. Ministering to him. -- Mt 27:55; 25:40. Preferring him to all others. -- Mt 10:37. Taking up the cross for Him. -- Mt 10:38. A characteristic of saints -- Song 1:4. An evidence of adoption -- Joh 8:42. Should be Sincere. -- Eph 6:24. With the soul. -- Song 1:7. In proportion to our mercies. -- Lu 7:47. Supreme. -- ”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14 (introduction): SUPERIORITY OF PROPHECY OVER TONGUES. (1Co. 14:1-25) Follow after charity--as your first and chief aim, seeing that it is "the greatest" (Co1 13:13). and desire--Translate, "Yet (as a secondary aim) desire zealously (see on Co1 12:31) spiritual gifts." but rather--"but chiefly that ye may prophesy" (speak and exhort under inspiration) (Pro 29:18; Act 13:1; Th1 5:20), whether as to future events, that is, strict prophecy, or explaining obscure parts of Scripture, especially the prophetical Scriptures or illustrating and setting ”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 2.3: others are blinded by the glimmering of this age. There are very few of them who, in defense of the kingdom of Christ, oppose the tyrannical laws of Antichrist. Let us therefore welcome those who, through the unspeakable mercy of God, are left to us; or rather let us welcome the gifts which God has given them, that hereafter, as far as we shall have opportunity, we may provide for the Church. While we can enjoy their doctrine, let us seize it eagerly as the armor fitted for repelling our enemies; for there is great reason to believe that the L”
1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 13:1: The design of Christ in giving himself for us is that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Now the apostle calls the believing Hebrews to the performance of many excellent duties, in which it becomes Christians to excel. I. To brotherly love (Heb 13:1), by which he does not only mean a general affection to all men, as our brethren by nature, all made of the same blood, nor that more limited affection which is due to those who are of the same immediate parents, but that special and spiritual affection which ought to exist among the ”
Philippians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Philippians 2:1: The apostle proceeds in this chapter where he left off in the last, with further exhortations to Christian duties. He presses them largely to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, in conformity to the example of the Lord Jesus, the great pattern of humility and love. Here we may observe, I. The great gospel precept passed upon us; that is, to love one another. This is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. This he represents (Phi 2:2) by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. We are ”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: towards another, that is, be friends, and warm ones too. Do not wait to be loved by another, but leap at it thyself, and be the first to begin it. For so wilt thou reap the wages of his love also. Having mentioned the reason then why we ought to love one another, he tells us also the way in which the affection may grow unchangeable. Whence he proceeds, “In honor preferring one another.” For this is the way that affection is produced, and also when produced abideth. And there is nothing which makes friends so much, as the earnest endeavor to overcome ”

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