3:16

A just-for-fun matter turned out fruitful when I came across some meaningful and significant verses.
[All verses below are in the New International Version (NIV)]


The Old Testament has one or two encouraging verses, but seems to possess more negativity.

"Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor."

~Proverbs 3:16
Referring to wisdom. It's simple: Have wisdom; and long life, riches and honor are yours.

"Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name."

~Malachi 3:16
This is comforting. If we fear the LORD, we have hope because we will be remembered.

"To the woman he said,
"I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing;
with pain you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you.""

~Genesis 3:16
This marks the beginning of the history of the pains every woman would have to suffer in childbearing.

"He has broken my teeth with gravel;
he has trampled me in the dust."

~Lamentations 3:16
Man, that has got to hurt.

"And I saw something else under the sun:
In the place of judgment-wickedness was there,
in the place of justice-wickedness was there."

~Ecclesiastes 3:16
Although the circumstance here is bad, it sounds familiar, doesn't it.

"Or why was I not hidden in the ground like a stillborn child,
like an infant who never saw the light of day?"

~Job 3:16
Okay, that's enough. Let's move on to the New Testament.

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him."

~Matthew 3:16
I believe this passage is pretty well known. Jesus; God's glorious son.

"John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."

~Luke 3:16
John, whom people suspected to be the Messiah, corrected them by prophesying about Jesus' unique and authoritative baptism.

"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see."

~Acts 3:16
Peter addressing the crowd after they witnessed his healing of the once lame beggar. Good to note that it wasn't by Peter's power, but merely faith in Jesus' name that the beggar was healed, completely.

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"

~1 Corinthians 3:16
Paul writing to the Corinthians, but his above question definitely applies to us too. We, not the physical building of the church we go to, are the temple and the church; the Holy Spirit resides in us.

"But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away."

~2 Corinthians 3:16
The veil of stubbornness and hardheartedness which prevents comprehension of God's word, that is. Turning to the Lord is all that is required for understanding. You should read the whole context to get a better picture of this.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

~Colossians 3:16
For the word to dwell in you richly, you've got to read it often. Then fully use them in teaching, singing and even praising God with a grateful heart.

"Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory."

~1 Timothy 3:16
Mystery of godliness. That itself is a mystery to me. But the verse was indeed speaking of the story of Jesus.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"

~2 Timothy 3:16
That is why the authority of the Bible is unquestionable, and why we should always go back to the scriptures in every part of learning and growing spiritually.

"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."

~James 3:16
Indeed. Moral of the story: Get rid of all envy and selfish ambition in you.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."

~1 John 3:16
The message is clear enough. Sacrifice.

"So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

~Revelation 3:16
It's either you're passionate(like burning hot, on fire) for Christ, or NOT(stonecold). No in between's, please.


And before you leave this page, here are some blessings for you:

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,"

~Ephesians 3:16

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."

~2 Thessalonians 3:16





Not forgetting our Christian faith in a nutshell,

"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