Themes of the Bible

Remembrance and Forgetting

A biblical theme in Deuteronomy and Judges that joins remembering the LORD's acts and commands with warnings against forgetting him.

Repentance and Return

Scripture links return to the LORD with confession, hearing his voice, and wholehearted obedience.

Satanic Opposition

Passages in the Thessalonian and Timothy letters name Satan, the tempter, demons, and the devil in contexts of hindrance, deception, and deliverance.

Seeking God

Judah assembled to seek the LORD, with people coming from its cities for that purpose.

Self-Control

Self-control is named alongside disciplined living, perseverance, and instruction for younger men.

Sexual Holiness

Collected biblical language includes warnings against sexual immorality, instructions to abstain from it, and statements concerning marriage.

Sexual Violence

A biblical theme reflected in passages describing abuse, violation, and a murdered woman.

Song of Deliverance

Five verses in Exodus, Judges, and 2 Samuel collect biblical songs and calls to sing connected with the LORD, salvation, and rescue.

Spiritual Discipline

A five-verse collection on training, piety, discipline, self-control, and perseverance.

Spiritual Gifts

These passages speak of varied gifts from the same Spirit, received and used in service.

Spiritual Parentage

Child language for Timothy and Onesimus forms the collected biblical evidence for spiritual parentage.

Spiritual Warfare

Verses collected under Spiritual Warfare describe struggle, resistance, vigilance, and reliance on God’s armor and power.

Stewardship

Stewardship language in Scripture includes entrusted service, gifts, grace, and proclamation.

Submission

Submission language occurs in passages concerning confession, learning, households, marriage, authorities, and service.

Suffering and Glory

A biblical theme in which affliction, suffering, and glory are spoken of together across seven books.

Temple Destruction

A three-reference collection spanning 2 Kings, Mark, and Luke.

Temptation

Temptation language recurs in passages about testing, harmful desires, endurance, help, rescue, and a coming hour of trial.

Temptation and Testing

Four verses in three letters pair warnings about temptation with calls to self-examination and restoration.

The Antichrist Pattern

In 1 John, antichrist is identified with denying that Jesus is the Christ.

The Ark Brought Up from Zion

In 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, Solomon gathers Israel’s leaders to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion to Jerusalem.

The City of David

The City of David language identifies Zion's stronghold and scenes involving David and the ark.

The Coming of the Son of Man

The Son of Man is described as coming in clouds with power and glory.

The Cost of Discipleship

Jesus says that those who wish to come after him must deny themselves, take up a cross, and follow him.

The Day of the LORD

A recurring biblical theme associated in the cited passages with nearness, judgment, darkness, and the coming day of the Lord.

The Divine Mystery

In Ephesians and Colossians, mystery language is connected with Christ, the gospel, revelation, and understanding.

The Faithfulness of God

The collected passages portray the Lord as faithful in calling, guarding, promising, and remaining faithful.

The First Will Be Last

A recurring saying in Matthew and Mark reverses the positions of the first and the last.

The Glory Cloud Fills the Temple

1 Kings and 2 Chronicles describe the glory of the LORD filling the house.

The Last Days

Five passages use “the last days” in statements about the Spirit, harsh times, a Son, stored treasure, and mockers.

The Law Written on Stones

Instruction written on stones is described in Deuteronomy and Joshua.

The LORD's Anointed

In 1 Samuel, the LORD’s anointed is named in statements refusing violence against that person.

The Need for Endurance

Endurance is associated with receiving what was promised, Job’s perseverance, and suffering while doing good.

Theophany

Theophany-related passages describe appearances and speech associated with the LORD, God, and the messenger or angel of the LORD.

The Son of Man Is Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew, Mark, and Luke each record the statement that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

The Son of Man's Authority to Forgive Sins

Jesus states that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.

The Temple as a House of Prayer

Isaiah calls God’s house a house of prayer for all peoples, while later passages portray commerce being driven from the sacred place.

Unity of the Church

Biblical passages call believers toward shared peace, common purpose, and life together as one body.

Where Your Treasure Is

A biblical theme linking treasure with the heart and with Jesus’ calls to give to the poor.

Whoever Does the Father's Will Is Jesus' Family

Jesus names those who do the will of his Father as his brother, sister, and mother.

Wilderness Testing

A biblical theme in which wilderness life is described as a test of obedience and a setting of provision.

Women as Resurrection Witnesses

Passages naming women at the tomb and recording Mary Magdalene's report to the disciples.

Work and Stewardship

These passages pair quiet labor with attending to one’s affairs and eating one’s own bread.