The Imitation of Christ · Chapter
Of the Reading of Holy Scripture explained
This chapter emphasizes that the purpose of reading Holy Scripture is to seek truth, not eloquence or intellectual subtlety.
What happens
This chapter emphasizes that the purpose of reading Holy Scripture is to seek truth, not eloquence or intellectual subtlety. It advises reading with humility, simplicity, and honesty, focusing on the message rather than the author's reputation, and warns that curiosity and desire for learning can hinder spiritual profit.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story’s dramatic climax because the speaker reaches an emotional and psychological peak of total s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Humility and Self-Denial
The chapter urges reading humbly, simply, and honestly, without desire for reputation or learning.
- Interior Life and Solitude
It encourages a quiet, inward focus on truth rather than outward display or debate.
Characters to notice
- The Disciple
The disciple is instructed in the proper approach to reading Scripture.
- God the Father
God speaks to us in divers manners without respect of persons.
Key passages
“It is Truth which we must look for in Holy Writ, not cunning of words.”
The goal of reading Scripture is to find truth, not to admire clever language.
This sets the tone for the chapter's emphasis on substance over style.
“Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord endureth forever.”
Human authors are temporary, but God's truth is eternal.
This reinforces the idea that the message matters more than the messenger.
“If thou wouldst profit by thy reading, read humbly, simply, honestly, and not desiring to win a character for learning.”
To gain spiritual benefit from reading, approach it with humility and sincerity, not with ambition to be seen as learned.
This is a practical application of humility to the act of reading.
