Why read the Bible without verses or chapters?

 

Did you know? Chapter breaks were not added to the Bible until the 13th century.  Verses were not added until the 16th century.  Sometimes you may want to study the Bible; other times you may want to simply read and get lost in the story.   Reader's Bibles feature the chapterless, verseless text of the Bible in a seamless, single-column format designed to help you read scripture as it was originally written.   Ready to get started?  Save up to 70% off select Readers Bibles for a limited time in the Bible Gateway Store! *Prices subject to change.   SHOP NOW     But why is this important? Chapters and verses were added to the Biblical text for structure and reference, usually so that those giving commentary could find passages more easily. But it's possible to miss key components of the text if reading only from this format, such as... Context Just as we benefit from understanding the historical context of Scripture, it's important that we make sure to read the text itself in its own context. It can be very easy to pull out a verse from a passage and give it a meaning the author never intended. Natural Written Structure Authors often had a particular structure or rhythm to their writing, and we may miss this if we only follow the flow of the chapters. For instance, the book of Matthew is generally regarded as having 5 natural sections. Many view this as a direct parallel to the five books of the Hebrew Torah, essentially putting forth a new kind of Torah based on the life of Jesus. The Author's Thought Process While we may use chapter and verse breaks to mark stopping points in our reading, the author's line of thought often continues beyond that point. Reading without chapters ensures we get the full scope of an author's intended message. Ready to try a Bible designed specifically for a beautiful reading experience? Reader's Bibles offer just that.   Get yours now...   Features... ■ Single-column, black letter text, designed for the best possible reading experience. ■ Footnotes and references generally included at the back of each book or elegantly noted in brief at the top of the page. Check out the product page of the edition you're interested in for other unique reading characteristics.   SHOP now Just a few great Reader's Bibles to choose from... NIV, Leather-look, Brown   Learn more... NIV, Leather-look, Brown   Learn more... NIV, Cloth Over Board, Gray/Gold   Learn more... NKJV, Cloth Over Board, Blue   Learn more... NKJV, Cloth Over Board, Yellow/Gray   Learn more... NKJV, Leather-look, Black   Learn more...       This email was sent to mucomacamucomaca.muco@blogger.com by Bible Gateway, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA. You received this message because you joined Bible Gateway Deals program. For information regarding our privacy policy, click here. If you have questions or comments about this message, please contact us. Manage all Bible Gateway subscriptions — Opt Out of all Bible Gateway communication