This series is designed to help people better understand the Bible and how it speaks to us. Read the series Introduction post to learn how this series is designed to help you.

For Whom was the Bible Written?

Was the Bible written for a specific audience? Absolutely! Is the Bible written for a broader audience? Absolutely!

Let’s take a look at how that works.

As we have seen, the Bible was written over a massive timespan. Each of the 66 books were written for specific reasons, and each book had an original audience. Leviticus, for example, was written for the nation of Israel so they would know the laws of Gods covenant:  “When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it” (Leviticus 2:1). These books, however, were not meant to pass into obsolescence with the passing of their original audiences. Deuteronomy talks about teaching God’s laws to their children (Deut. 4:9). Likewise, in the book of Exodus, God commands the israelites to keep the Passover in all their generations forever (Exodus 12:17). But as the Bible is God’s Special Revelation, passages such as these not only communicate a message to the intended audience, they also reveal aspects of Who God is and His intentions to all generations.

This intention of communicating to both a specific and broader audience continues in the New Testament. While Paul wrote Colossians to a specific church at a specific time for a specific purpose (namely, to address a heresy that had arisen), the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to communicate some absolutely vital information in chapter 1 about Who Jesus is (Col. 1:15-20). This information is both timeless and transformative.

Finally, Jesus Himself summarizes for whom the words of Scripture were written. In several places in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus uses the phrase, “he who has ears to hear, let him hear.” What he means is this: The one who is interested in hearing/knowing God’s message should pay attention.

“For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Matthew 11:13-15 ESV

Whom then, is Scripture for? It is for the original audience to whom it was written, but it is also for the broader audience of those who “have ears to hear.” The Bible is for all who hear the call of God on their hearts and feel a sense of urgency in knowing Him.

Happy Bibleing!