Parchments

Parchments were central to Paul’s ministry. As we see in his letter to Timothy, he used parchments to copy and distribute information.

Roman historian Pliny the Younger describes how parchment had been invented for the king of Pergamum as an attempt to break the Egyptian monopoly on papyrus, but complications made parchments impractical. As monasteries later learned, it took as many as 150 sheets of it for each Bible.

A major breakthrough occurred with the development of the printing press in the fifteenth-century AD. The Bible was the first book printed. Spurred on by this development, the Bible became widely available, read, and studied.

We live at a time when we have access to the Bible through countless formats: large print, pocket sized, study Bibles, and digital versions. Yet, in spite of this convenience, millions never read the Bible. A recent study from the Barna Group revealed that only 14% of Americans use the Bible each day; 13% use it several times a week. Most read it infrequently or never.

Today, there is no excuse for not reading the Bible. Within its pages, we find the keys to success and a life with God. As Paul explained to Timothy, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” This is “profitable” in so many ways that we “may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Make sure the Word is central to your daily life.