10 Underrated Bible Verses Worth Exploring
- Annie Yorty Crosswalk Contributing Writer
- Published May 03, 2024
We all have favorite Bible verses. Many of the Christian songs on the radio remind us of well-loved words. One fast-food restaurant prints a popular verse on their drink cups.
Some people paste Bible verses onto their cars’ bumpers. I have verses emblazoned on signs in my home, stenciled on mugs in my cupboard, stuck to my laptop, and printed on t-shirts I wear.
Because we focus on these well-known verses, we sometimes overlook the wisdom of the words that come before and after them. From these underrated verses, we gain additional wisdom and understanding of God’s character and His heart toward us.
Here are 10 popular verses with their underrated companions.
1. Gospel of John
Popular: John 3:16
When I teach at Bible camp, every kid who has ever been to church knows John 3:16. I love to hear children proudly recite the words as fast as they can. I wonder if we know this verse so well that we have lost the wonder of the amazing truth that Jesus is the holy and beloved Son of God.
He willingly offered Himself up for undeserved punishment that would yield eternal life for all people who believe in Him as their Lord.
Underrated: John 3:17
Despite the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ, many perceive Him to be condemning of their mistakes. The next verse dispels this myth.
God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17, NLT).
God explicitly says Jesus did not come to judge people for their sins. Instead, He came to relieve us of the judgment we deserve. When we know He does not condemn us, His forgiveness invites us to move forward in freedom from the shame of sin.
2. Book of Jeremiah
Popular: Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah spoke a prophecy to Jews who were sent into exile by God because of their national sin of idol worship. We often rely on the promise inherent in these words for our own lives. God has good plans for His people, including you and me.
Underrated: Jeremiah 29:12-14a
The following verses, which we often overlook, provide additional specificity about the plans God has for us.
“In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord (Jeremiah 29:12-14a, NLT).
First, He promises to listen when His people pray to Him. To be heard by God, they would need to abandon their idols and turn to Him. His second statement goes along with the first.
God requires wholehearted devotion. As a jealous God, He will not share His throne. We must submit to Him with undivided hearts to enjoy the blessing of His good plans.
3. Book of Joshua
Popular: Joshua 1:9
When my mom was diagnosed with a terminal disease, my daughter wrote the text of Joshua 1:9 on a card to encourage her. “Be strong and courageous!”
These same words bolstered Joshua’s faith as he prepared to lead God’s people against enemies who resided in the promised land. They continue to motivate people who read them today.
Underrated: Joshua 1:7-8
Joshua 1:9 is the last of a series of statements made by God to Joshua. We should consider them all together to understand the full context.
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do (Joshua 1:7-8, NLT).
These two verses connect God’s presence to His Word. He tells Joshua to study and understand His commandments and to follow them. He coupled courage found in God to meditation on God’s Word.
Our courage today still comes from our knowledge and experience of God’s character we find in His Word. We will not have the courage to stand in faith unless we are saturated in God’s Word.
4. Book of Philippians
Popular: Philippians 4:13
We often quote Philippians 4:13 when we are faced with a difficult task. It’s true that God enables us to accomplish what He calls us to do.
Underrated: Philippians 4:11-12
A closer examination of the previous sentences enlightens us about the context of Apostle Paul’s declaration that he can do “everything.”
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little (Philippians 4:11-12, NLT).
In these verses, Paul spoke of God-given contentment. That contentment remained constant despite the fluctuating circumstances he experienced. Sometimes he had more than enough possessions. Other times he had so little he went hungry. No matter what, he felt at ease because He trusted the Lord.
When we study the full context of these verses, we realize God’s promise extends to more than simply accomplishing a difficult task. We have peace-filled contentment knowing Jesus gives us strength and grace to endure every circumstance.
5. Romans 12
Popular: Romans 12:19
God tells us the business of vengeance belongs to Him. He does not permit us to exact justice for the sins of other people unless we are agents of the government. Many assume we simply wait and hope for Him to let the hammer fall on the ones who have hurt us.
Underrated: Romans 12:20
If we continue reading from the passage in Romans where the Apostle Paul told us to leave revenge to God, we learn about actions we should take in the face of injustice.
Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads” (Romans 12:20, NLT).
Echoing the words of Jesus, Paul said we should bless our enemies. While we sometimes struggle to follow this difficult teaching, obedience brings us closer to Jesus as we imitate the grace He gave to us before salvation while we were His enemies.
6. Romans 8
Popular: Romans 8:38
In Romans, Paul wrote about the power of God’s love that allows nothing to separate us from Him. He lists earthly persecutions, death, spiritual darkness, evil, and all creation but declares none of those forces could snatch us from the grasp of His love. Yet sometimes we wonder if earthly difficulties are a sign that God’s love has waned.
Underrated: Romans 8:35
Just two verses earlier, Paul addressed this misunderstanding of God’s love.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (Romans 8:35, NLT).
An easy life is not a sign of God’s love. A life fraught with trials does not mean God has withdrawn His affection. God’s love never fails. It never changes because His essence is love.
He chooses our life’s circumstances to teach us to know Him and shine His glorious light into a dark world. We can trust He always loves us with the same love He has for His Son, Jesus.
7. Book of 2 Corinthians
Popular: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Many of us remember the verse about becoming a new creation in Christ. How exciting and free we feel once the weight of our sin is removed, and our spirits come alive. But sometimes, we think our transformation is complete at that moment.
Underrated: 2 Corinthians 5:20
New life in Christ begins an adventure with God. Just a couple of verses later, Paul wrote about our earthly purpose as new creatures in Christ.
So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” (2 Corinthians 5:20, NLT)
He assigns the ministry of reconciliation and invites us to act as His ambassadors. With every part of our lives, we represent Him to people who need hope.
8. Book of James
Popular: James 5:15
Most of us know and claim the Bible verse in James that says when we pray to God with faith, He will heal sickness and forgive sins. We rejoice when God keeps this wonderful promise in His perfect timing according to His infallible will.
Underrated: James 5:16
In the next verse, we find a command to confess our sins not only to God but to other people.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16, NLT).
God wants us to pray for one another to overcome sin. Nevertheless, we often hesitate to reveal our struggle with sin to other people. We don’t like to expose our weaknesses.
But when we obey God by confessing sin to our brothers and sisters, we receive spiritual support and accountability to help us overcome temptation in the future.
9. Gospel of Matthew
Popular: Matthew 11:28
When we feel exhausted from the cares of life, we cling to Jesus’ invitation to come and deposit our burdens in His lap. But we often forget the second part of His teaching.
Underrated: Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29, NLT).
In this lesser-known verse, Jesus says we exchange our burden for His yoke. In the yoke with Him, we become His students as He teaches us His righteous ways. When we stay in step with Jesus, our souls rest.
10. Gospel of John
Popular: John 15:5
In the hours before He died on the cross, Jesus shared important truths with His disciples about our relationship with Him. He said He is the Vine to which we must stay connected. If we abide, or remain, in Him, He will produce spiritual fruit in us.&
Underrated: John 15:2
In a related verse that we sometimes prefer not to think about, Jesus said His Father will cut away anything in us that is unproductive.
He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more (John 15:2, NLT).
In my experience, pruning is usually uncomfortable. But rather than cringe at this teaching, we can embrace God’s pruning. His expert tending of our lives causes us to grow and bear more fruit for Him.
The Living Word
We’ll always have favorite Bible verses that remind us of God’s faithfulness to us. But every word is equally important and worthy of study and repetition. In the Bible, we mine gems of wisdom as we experience God anew each day.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12, NLT).
Let’s continue to read the Word to expand our knowledge and love of God.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Priscilla-du-preez
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