“I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren” (1 Thessalonians 5:27).

Paul did not simply request that the brethren read the epistle, but commanded them to do so. Some view the reading of scripture as optional. Some who read do so casually, as if it does them good to skim over the words. The statement of Paul shows that (1) reading scripture is a must, and (2) it is the content of the message that is important. Not to read would be detrimental to a person’s spiritual standing, and to read without the concern of following the message would be useless.

If you do not read your Bible you will not be able to please God. It is the means by which we are thoroughly equipped (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). This was not just a command given to the Thessalonians, but to everyone. The New Testament epistles were circulated among all Christians because all Christians needed to read them in order to live right before God (cf. Colossians 4:16; James 1:1). How do you know the way to pleasing God if you do not open His word? How do you know if you have the hope of salvation if you do not read what God has given us to attain such? Like the Bereans, we must search the scriptures, for no person can reach heaven unless they know God’s word themselves (cf. Acts 17:11).

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