by Dee Ann Loving-Tackitt
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37–38
Rome – The fresco of St. Gregory of Nazianzen on the ceiling in the church Chiesa di san Giuseppe alla Lungara
The Bible actually affirms studying and learning Scripture as an expression of love for God—not something to dismiss. Jesus taught that loving God includes using “all your mind,” and God desires that we show love and obedience through godly learning, since He is glorified when we use our minds to understand His Word, ways, and character.
Throughout church history, some believers have feared that education and Bible study produce pride. While pride is a real danger, ignorance is not the biblical solution. Scripture repeatedly calls believers to grow in wisdom, understanding, discernment, and knowledge. The answer to pride is humility, not anti-intellectualism. Several passages directly address this tension between knowledge and love: Paul acknowledges that knowledge exists among believers, but emphasizes that knowledge alone inflates the ego while love builds others up (1 Cor 8:1). Even extraordinary knowledge—prophecy, mysteries, and faith—amounts to nothing without love (1 Cor 13:2).
However, the Bible doesn’t dismiss learning itself. Jesus commands loving God “with all your mind” (Matt 22:37-38), making intellectual engagement a spiritual obligation. Paul urges believers to renew their minds so they can discern God’s will (Rom 12:2). The key is that knowledge should produce transformation, not pride. Several passages show how knowledge and love interconnect: Paul prays that love will increase alongside knowledge and discernment, leading to righteousness (Phil 1:911). Peter describes knowledge as one link in a chain that includes faith, virtue, self-control, and love—qualities that keep believers effective in knowing Christ (2Pet 1:5-8). The deepest principle appears in John’s assertion that loving God and knowing God are inseparable; whoever loves has been born of God and knows Him, because God is love (1 John 4:7-8). True knowledge of God is shown through obedience to His commands, and genuine love is perfected by keeping His word (1 John 2:3-5).
God did not give us minds so we could admire our knowledge. He gave us minds so we could know Him more fully, hearts so we could love Him more deeply, and hands so we could serve Him more faithfully. So when people dismiss Bible study as mere “head knowledge,” they raise a legitimate concern—but they misdiagnose the problem. The issue isn’t studying Scripture; it’s studying without allowing that knowledge to move your heart toward love for God and others. Religious thought is the prerequisite for religious affection and obedient action. Study and devotion aren’t opposites; they’re meant to work together. Shalom.
Heavenly Father,
The more we know You, the more we can love You; the more we love You, the more we seek to know You—guide Your Word into our hearts so we can be obedient to Your commands. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.
Resources
- Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2014), 275-76.
- Raymond Bryan Brown, “1 Corinthians,” in Broadman Bible Commentary: Acts–1 Corinthians, ed. Clifton J. Allen, Broadman Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1970), 10:337.
- William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Gospel According to John, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 2:10-11.