Bible Studies

Top 10 Best Chapter 3s and Verse 16s in the Bible

by Andrew Tuttle
07/16/21
For Sale
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Even heathens know John 3:16.

Anyone who has watched a football game, especially in the 1980s, probably saw “John 3:16” displayed from the stands during a field goal or point after touchdown (PAT) try. Indeed, John 3:16 arguably holds the mantle for the most well-known and perhaps beloved verse of the Bible.

It pretty much sums up what Christianity is all about (Charlie Brown).

But did you know other books of the Bible have some pretty edifying chapter 3s and verse 16s? You could almost argue some type of super natural force was at play when the Bible came together and the most popular verse, ever, made even more popular after the Tim Tebow 3:16 game, pointed to some other declarations the faithful and not so faithful should pay attention to.

I scanned every book of the Bible that contained a chapter 3 and verse 16 - most of did – and only focused on those chapter 3s and verse 16s that made sense in terms of a one-off statement. Just as John 3:16 stands on its own, only those that offered a declaration without needing additional corresponding text for content, made the cut.

Of the 66 books of the Bible, 18 made the final list. A few obvious ones made the final cut and ultimately natural selection, if you will, determined the final Top 10. The books that made the final list but not the final cut include:  Jeremiah, Joel, Matthew, Luke, 1 & 2 Corinthians and Ephesians. Wait! That’s only seven. Read on.

Starting with #10, all books presented in NASB edition.

10. Malachi 3:16 and 1 John 3:16 (tie)

A bit of a cop out that I picked two but I couldn’t drop 1 John 3:16 considering the impact of sister verse John 3:16. Outside of 1 John though, the nod would go to Malachi 3:16 as the Old Testament prophet offers a promise, even if for the Jews of the day and before the time of Christ, while 1 John gives us a command.

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened attentively and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and esteem His name. – Malachi 3:16

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters. – 1 John 3:16

9. 1 Timothy 3:16

An alternate take on John 3:16, this verse exemplifies Christ for the believer but should give the non-believer pause considering all the evidence surrounding the life and times of Jesus Christ,  

Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness:  He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.-  1 Timothy 3:16

8. Colossians 3:16

Pretty much a call to read, know and study God’s Word not only for yourself, but so you can righteously teach and admonish others in the faith.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:16

7. 1 Peter 3:16

Hard to be a Christian nowadays, isn’t it? But know that your good works and good behavior will be rewarded and those who reviled you whether to your face or behind your back and did not repent before their time, will one day hang their head in finally understanding.

And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. -  1 Peter 3:16

6. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Reviled by others as 1 Peter 3:16 says, or revered by others, Paul learned the art of being content in all circumstances as he said in Philippians 4: 11-13 which he summarized in this verse to the church of Thessalonica.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! - 2 Thessalonians 3:16

5. James 3:16

This verse pretty much explains what is wrong with the human heart, thus the world, and helps introduce the Top 3 of this list.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. – James 3:16

4. Genesis 3:16

So much in this one verse you could make a full sermon. But what stood out for me was “Yet your desire will be for your husband.”  Maybe it’s just me but nowadays it seems many wives’ desire switched from their husbands to their children. Might help explain the high divorce rate AND so much narcissism in today’s youth.

To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you shall deliver children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” – Genesis 3:16

3. Revelation 3:16

Oh boy. A very powerful statement that resonates very loudly today, considering so much church apostasy occurred in 2020. Pray you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass.

So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. – Revelation 3:16

2. 2 Timothy 3:16

This verse initially slotted in at #5 with an argument that it could rank #1. If Genesis 1:1 is true then everything else in the Bible is true. If 2 Timothy 3:16 is true than that means all other chapter 3s and verse 16s of the Bible are true. As such, this jumps to #2 but runs nearly equivalent to #1.

All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

1. John 3:16

Did you think I’d pick any other book for the #1 chapter 3 and verse 16 of the Bible? The Christian faith summed up nicely in one verse because 2 Timothy 3:16 says so:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. – John 3:16