# Of the Reading of Holy Scripture explained — The Imitation of Christ

> Chapter companion for The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters