Thursday, 1 October 2026
Where in the Bible? No. 1
Verse 1
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22 · verse 29,185 of 31,102, 93.8% of the way through the Bible · New Testament, Pauline Epistles
What it means
Paul describes the character that grows naturally in someone led by God's Spirit. It's 'fruit', which grows over time rather than being produced by rule-keeping.
Where it fits
Galatians is one of Paul's shorter letters, in the middle of the New Testament epistles. It's a passionate defence of freedom in Christ.
Verse 2
I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well.
Psalm 139:14 · verse 16,254 of 31,102, 52.3% of the way through the Bible · Old Testament, Wisdom & Poetry
What it means
David marvels that God knows him completely, even shaping him in his mother's womb. Being 'fearfully and wonderfully made' means being made with awe-inspiring care. His response is not pride but praise for the God who made him.
Where it fits
The Psalms occupy the middle of the Bible, in the Old Testament's Wisdom and Poetry books. Psalm 139 is near the end of the collection, in Book Five, among a final group of psalms linked with David.
Verse 3
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2 Timothy 3:16 · verse 29,870 of 31,102, 96.0% of the way through the Bible · New Testament, Pauline Epistles
What it means
Paul reminds Timothy that the Scriptures he has known since childhood come from God himself, 'breathed out' by Him. Because of this, they are useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training people in right living, equipping God's servants for every good work.
Where it fits
2 Timothy follows 1 Timothy among Paul's letters, around 96% of the way into the Bible. Probably the last letter Paul wrote, it was sent from prison in Rome as he passed the baton of ministry to his trusted younger colleague.
Verse 4
And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD,
2 Samuel 6:14 · verse 8,172 of 31,102, 26.3% of the way through the Bible · Old Testament, History
What it means
King David brings the ark of the covenant, the sacred chest symbolising God's presence, into Jerusalem. Wearing a simple priestly garment, he dances with wholehearted joy. His wife Michal despises the undignified display, but David insists he is celebrating before the LORD.
Where it fits
2 Samuel continues straight on from 1 Samuel in the Old Testament History books, roughly a quarter of the way in. It covers David's reign, as Jerusalem becomes Israel's political and religious centre.
Verse 5
What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 · verse 17,325 of 31,102, 55.7% of the way through the Bible · Old Testament, Wisdom & Poetry
What it means
The writer, known as the Teacher and described as a son of David ruling in Jerusalem, observes the endless cycles of nature and history. Life 'under the sun', seen without reference to God, can feel like a repeating loop where nothing truly changes.
Where it fits
Ecclesiastes comes after Proverbs in the Wisdom and Poetry section, about 56% of the way through the Bible. Its opening chapter sets the tone for the book's honest search for meaning in a world that often seems pointless.