# Most profound quote from the Bible **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 26, 2004, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098 "2004-04-26T14:44:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/1 "2004-04-26T14:44:53Z")
I rarely, if ever, read the Bible so, to say I’m unfamiliar with passages in the Bible doesn’t do the word “unfamiliar” justice. However, I was at the funeral of a friend’s grandfather yesterday when the pastor read 1 Corinthians 13. Maybe it was the combination of the words and that lugubrious music they pipe in at funerals but the passage moved me. This got me to wonder what other gems of Biblical proportions I’ve missed. I’d like to hear what other Dopers have experienced as moving and/or profound passages in the Bible. > [@](#): > > **1 Corinthians 13:1-13** > > If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, > but have not love, > I have become sounding brass or a tinkling symbol. > > And if I have prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, > and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, > but have not love, I am nothing. > > And if I dole out all my goods, and > if I deliver my body that I may boast > but have not love, nothing I am profited. > > Love is long suffering, > love is kind, > it is not jealous, > love does not boast, > it is not inflated. > > It is not discourteous, > it is not selfish, > it is not irritable, > it does not enumerate the evil. > It does not rejoice over the wrong, but rejoices in the truth > > It covers all things, > it has faith for all things, > it hopes in all things, > it endures in all things. > > Love never falls in ruins; > but whether prophecies, they will be abolished; or > tongues, they will cease; or > knowledge, it will be superseded. > > For we know in part and we prophecy in part. > > But when the perfect comes, the imperfect will be superseded. > > When I was an infant, > I spoke as an infant, > I reckoned as an infant; > > when I became [an adult], > I abolished the things of the infant. > > For now we see through a mirror in an enigma, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know as also I was fully known. > > But now remains > faith, hope, love, > > these three; > > but the greatest of these is love. ---
**Author:** ![Ross](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@Ross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ross)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/2 "2004-04-26T15:06:18Z")
> [@](#): > > The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. > But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. > At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” > “No one, sir,” she said. > “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Now THAT is cool. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/3 "2004-04-26T15:51:17Z")
John 8:58 “In all truth,” Jesus said to them, “before Abraham was born, I am.” It was the verse that triggered my epiphany and my conversion from atheism to Christianity. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/4 "2004-04-26T16:28:10Z")
“Love thy neighbor as thyself” has always seemed to be the forest that is forever being obscured by trees, to me. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/5 "2004-04-26T16:30:39Z")
Here’s one I like that also shows up in funeral services from time to time: [John 14:1-3](http://www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?passage=JOHN%2B14%3A1-4&showfn=on&showxref=on&language=english&version=NIV&x=11&y=4) ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/6 "2004-04-26T17:47:22Z")
As soon as I saw the title, I immediately thought of the passage posted by the OP, but especially (in the version familiar to me) “Even though I _give up my body to be burned_, without love, I am nothing.” Wow. ---
**Author:** ![Genghis\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/45deac/32.png) [@Genghis\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genghis_Bob)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/7 "2004-04-26T18:09:15Z")
“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – My pal “Mikey” ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/8 "2004-04-26T18:25:25Z")
Luke 2: 8-13 And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid … And the angel said unto them, “Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord.” “And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men.” …and that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlile Brown! ---
**Author:** ![Aries28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Aries28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aries28)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/9 "2004-04-26T18:38:55Z")
3 of my favorites… John 3:30 “He must increase and I must decrease.” Galatians 6:14 “But God forbid I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, though which the world is crucified to me and I am crucified to the world.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave…” \* \*I heard a sermon on this verse recently and it was all about the two verbs…Loved and Gave. The pastor really brought out things in that verse that I hadn’t considered so strongly before but just said the verse by rote. Very interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/10 "2004-04-26T18:57:09Z")
James 1:13-14 “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” We wrongly give God the blame and Satan the credit for things we do all by ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![Scarf-Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Scarf-Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarf-Ace)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/11 "2004-04-26T20:37:53Z")
I like: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”. It says a lot about human judgement. ---
**Author:** ![MrO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@MrO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrO)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/12 "2004-04-26T21:03:33Z")
Though some find it depressing, I always found the book of Ecclesiastes very comforting. Especially so in the King James Version, which I grew up with. Some of my favorite quotes: Chapter 1 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Chapter 2 15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/13 "2004-04-26T21:56:05Z")
> [@Libertarian](#): > > John 8:58 > > “In all truth,” Jesus said to them, “before Abraham was born, I am.” > > It was the verse that triggered my epiphany and my conversion from atheism to Christianity. Can you expound on why you find that particular line so powerful and life-changing? I must admit that it doesn’t seem particularly special to me… ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/14 "2004-04-26T23:24:53Z")
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” Cliche, yes, but very powerful imho. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/15 "2004-04-27T02:16:11Z")
I love 1 john 4:16: God is love; he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him." StG ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/16 "2004-04-27T02:39:21Z")
“Madam, I’m Adam.” See? It reads the same backwards _and_ forwards! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/17 "2004-04-27T06:14:33Z")
Not necessarily “the most profound” but many Psalms are pretty. As is Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes. I like this from Proverbs > [@](#): > > Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, > and the one who gets understanding, > for the gain from her is better than gain from silver > and her profit better than gold. > She is more precious than jewels, > and nothing you desire can compare with her. > Long life is in her right hand; > in her left hand are riches and honor. > Her ways are ways of pleasantness, > and all her paths are peace. A lot of the other proverbs are worth reading as well. Someone already mentioned Micah 6:8. Also, [Matthew 5:3-10](http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&passage=matthew+5%3A3-10&version=KJV), [Matthew 5:43-47](http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&passage=matthew+5%3A43-47&version=NASB), [Luke 10:30-37](http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&passage=Luke+10%3A30-37&version=NIV) James 2:15-16: If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, " Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? and Philippians 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/18 "2004-04-27T07:08:45Z")
John 1.1 “In the Beginning Was the Word” Genesis 4:9 “Am I my brothers keeper?” Psalm 8:3-9 “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” Corinthians 13, verse 11 “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/19 "2004-04-27T08:14:51Z")
For me it is [Deuteronomy 30: 19 & 20](http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=DEUT+30:19-20&language=english&version=NIV&showfn=on&showxref=on) > [@](#): > > This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. **Now choose life** , so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (emphasis mine) Grim ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098/20 "2004-04-27T11:12:07Z")
To me, the most important is what Jesus said is most important. It’s recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, but I’ll post Mark’s version of it one more time (Mark 12:26-34): > [@](#): > > One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” > “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” > “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” > When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. As **AugustWest** said, this seems to get overlooked far too often. For me, however, the most profound is this, when Christ is awaiting His execution in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26:38-40: > [@](#): > > Then Jesus said to them [Peter and two sons of Zebedee], “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” > Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” To me, Jesus is very fully human at this point, faced with overwhelming sorrow and even, perhaps, fear at the prospect of what is to come. He doesn’t want the things that are to come to happen. He doesn’t want to die. Still, He does it. Still He subsumes His will to the Father’s. I am an unwilling Christian sometimes. I don’t always want to do what I know is right because it’s difficult or painful or I’m simply tired of always having to do the right thing. In this passage, I remember that Christ knows what it is to be tired and unwilling and in pain, and maybe even a bit fearful. It’s all right. He’s known my fear and my pain and will not condemn me for it, only strengthen me as I go through it. To me, this passage contains the essence of Christ’s humanity and His divinity. It is why I am a Christian. Humbly, CJ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-profound-quote-from-the-bible/242098.md?page=2)