By Aaron Earls
News organizations often compile lists of the top events, movies, songs, or people of the year. But what were the top Bible verses this year?
Instead of saying something about the relative importance of certain Scripture passages over others, it demonstrates the types of things Bible readers were considering this past year.
YouVersion’s Bible app shared the top verses shared from their platform this year:
- Proverbs 3:5-6
- Philippians 4:6-7
- Joshua 1:9
- Romans 12:2
- Romans 15:13
The Bible platform launched by Life.Church in 2008 also released the top verses all time in the 10 countries where the app has been installed the most.
For nations dealing with a secularized culture like United States and Brazil, Romans 12:2 has been the most popular verse, reminding readers to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Readers in Mexico, United Kingdom, and South Korea most wanted assurance in the face of fears as they turned to Isaiah 41:10 most frequently.
Nigeria, South Africa, and the Philippines rested in God’s provision and plan from Jeremiah 29:11.
The most popular verse in Canada was Ephesians 1:23, which deals with the church being made full and complete by Christ.
Meanwhile, in China, YouVersion users were sharing 1 Corinthians 10:13 as a promise that God was with them in the midst of temptation.
Most of those verses were also popular at Bible Gateway, who released their top 100 verses. These were the 10 most popular overall this year.
- John 3:16
- Jeremiah 29:11
- Philippians 4:13
- Romans 8:28
- Psalm 23:4
- Philippians 4:6
- Romans 12:2
- Proverbs 3:5
- 1 Corinthians 13:7
- Philippians 4:7
Bible Gateway also broke down the top 25 verses in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. Most verses overlap, as all four share the same top two verses, but differences do arise.
The U.K. is most fond of the Psalms, having six in the top 10 and consistently ranking verses from the biblical poetry book higher than the other three nations. Australia has a preference for 1 Corinthians, placing four verses in its top 10, all higher than the other countries. The U.S. enjoys verses from Proverbs and Romans the most.
In 2015, readers at Bible Gateway were most likely to share and highlight Philippians 4:6-7 and Romans 12:2.
AARON EARLS (@WardrobeDoor) is online editor of Facts & Trends.
