Why do we need to study the Scriptures deeply?

Jesus Christ says, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). In other words, He is saying, “It is not enough to boast about possessing the books and reading them; you need to search them diligently in order to enjoy your salvation and eternal life, for they all revolve around My coming to you.” St. John Chrysostom considers this text to refer to those who seek precious stones deep in the ground, dig mines, and carefully search for the precious stone until they find them.

87 St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 1.1–2 (NPNF I/10:1).

88 St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 1.4 (NPNF I/10:2), amended.

According to St. John Chrysostom , even the lists of names included in Scripture have their profound value,⁸⁹ and he devoted two homilies to explain the greetings in chapter 16 of the epistle to the Romans to show that the treasures of wisdom lie hidden in every word uttered by the Spirit.⁹⁰ St. John Chrysostom says, “Christ sent the Scriptures to the Jews, not that they might read them casually, but that they might search them deeply and exhaustively; He did not say ‘read the Scriptures,’ but ‘ search the Scriptures .’ Thus, He commands them to study them profoundly, for the words that have been said about Him need great attention if they are to reveal the benefits to be found in their depths.”

“For there is, there is an infirmity of hearing. For as a stomach which is infirm could not take in wholesome food (which it finds) hard of digestion, so a soul which is become puffy and heated, unstrung and relaxed, could not receive the word of the Spirit. Hear the disciples saying, ‘This is a hard saying: who can hear it’ (John 6:60)? But if the soul be strong and healthy, all is most easy, all is light: it becomes more lofty and buoyant: it is more able to soar and lift itself on high.”⁹¹

“Let us not therefore listen carelessly; since even they who roast the metallic earth, when they have thrown it into the furnace, not only take up the masses of gold, but also collect the small particles with the utmost care. Inasmuch, then, as we likewise have to roast the gold drawn from the Apostolic mines, not by casting it into the furnace, but by depositing it in the thoughts of your souls; not lighting an earthly flame, but kindling the fire of the Spirit, let us collect the little particles with diligence. For if the saying be brief, yet its virtue is great. For pearls too have their proper market, not owing to the size of the substance, but the beauty of their nature.”⁹²