The Holy Bible is the most-read book in the world. Over the past 50 years, more than 3.9 billion copies have been sold. Additionally, Christianity makes up 31.1% of the world’s religions and remains the top religious group. Within the Bible, one can find encouragement, understanding about who God is, and guidance for life. There are many popular ones; however, these are the most iconic Bible quotes.
Since biblical verses are often used to encourage people through difficult times in life, sometimes they are misquoted. It is important to read the context behind the verse to understand its true meaning. However, this list will include the popular verse and the reason for its popularity. (Test your knowledge with these 15 Bible trivia questions.)
To compile a list of the most iconic Bible verses, 24/7 Tempo consulted the Holy Bible and spiritual websites that explained the meaning of the verses, like www.JW.org, and the reason for their popularity. The translation used for these verses is the New International Version, or NIV. Now, let’s take a look at the most iconic Bible quotes.
Scroll down for some of the most iconic quotes from the Bible.
“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.” John 3:16
Popular For: Summing up the Gospel and motivation for Jesus coming to earth.
“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.” Romans 8:28
Popular For: Being an encouraging verse during difficult times.
“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.”
Popular For: Giving hope to those who may be facing a tough situation.
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Popular For: Reminding people that they can conquer anything with God.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5
Popular For: Putting your trust in a higher being because humans are infallible and sometimes lack discernment.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
Popular For: Being the first verse in the bible. In the Christian faith, it explains the start of all of humanity and the world.
“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.” Romans 12:2
Popular For: Warning against chasing worldly things like power and money, and instead putting trust in God’s will for one’s life.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Popular For: Being a comforting verse when one is facing anxious thoughts and difficult situations.
“In all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6
Popular For: Encouraging one to trust God to help make decisions and fill one’s live with purpose.
“Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Midsection View Of A Woman's Hand Holding Red Heart
Popular For: Explaining what love is through the Christian faith and God’s lens.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Popular For: Reminding people that God cares and when one is feeling anxious, they can come to Him.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Popular For: An encouraging verse that reminds one of God’s ever presence, that can give one strength even when they may be afraid.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1
Popular For: Being a descriptive verse about the Lord. Palm 23:1 equates God to a shepherd who looks after their sheep in good times and distress, always leading and guiding.
“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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Popular For: Before this verse, Paul explains that he has a “thorn in his side” or rather a weakness that he has asked God to take from him. However, instead of taking it, God tells Paul that His grace is sufficient for him. This reminds the believer that even when life gets hard and there is an apparent “thorn in their side,” God’s grace will be enough to sustain them.
“The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Popular For: Reminding Christians that God is faithful no matter what, He will not forsake those who call on His name.
“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.” Matthew 28:19
Popular For: Being the “Great Commission” and summing up the mission of the Christian church.
“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.” Hebrews 11:6
Popular For: Reminding one that if they want to draw near to God, then they first must believe He is who He says He is.
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Popular For: Reminding Christians that life is not about what we see, but instead by Faith. Salvation is not something one earns with works or deeds.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Popular For: Being a reminder about what is most important in life and how, as believers, it’s important to continually strive towards the Godly character that God lays out in these verses.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Popular For: Serving as a guideline for a relationship with God and how a believer can continually pray, give thanks, and be joyful no matter what life may have given them.
“He Says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Popular For: Being an encouraging verse that reminds believers that they can rest in the Lord and that He is a faithful God.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Popular For: Reminding Christians that anxiety and fear does not come from God. Instead, a calm and sound mind is His desire for his children.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Popular For: Teaching that all the scripture is from God and what it is for.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Popular For: Being a verse that encourages Christians to live without fear because God has already overcome the Devil.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Masked thief using lock picker to open locked door
Popular For: A reminder that God’s desire for his children is for them to live an abundant life and anyone who dissuades his believers from his voice is a thief.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Popular For: Laying out God’s plan for salvation. No one can earn salvation by doing good deeds and works. Instead, faith was given from God through Jesus to those who believe through faith.
“Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” Psalm 105:15
Popular For Used often to state that God protects his anointed ones and that one should not bring harm to a spiritual leader. However, this verse is often misquoted. In context, Psalm 105:15 reveals how God’s protective hand was on the fathers of Israel, including Abraham and his family.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” Psalms 139:14
Popular For: Reminding believers that God knows them and formed them. In context, David wrote a Psalm to express to God awe of His creation of humans.
“Jesus wept.” John 11:35
Popular For: Being the shortest verse in the Bible. Jesus wept when his friend Lazarus died. This verse shows believers that God does sympathize with pain and grief.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Popular For: Reminding believers that every man is a sinner, it doesn’t matter their sin. Christians are only saved through God’s grace; no one can “earn” it.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6
Popular For: Being a verse that reminds believers that only through Jesus can someone come to God. He is the ultimate way to salvation.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
Popular For: Laying out the fundamentals of salvation.
“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Popular For: God is Love, it is His Love that gives us the ability to love, relate, give grace, and ultimately love God as well.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
Popular For: Laying out the beginning of the universe and summarizing the Gospel.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Popular For: Reminding believers that they are a royal priesthood and God’s people, and that they need to praise Him. Peter connected the New Covenant Church with the intent that God had given Israel.
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