DIVISION OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES INTO CHAPTERS AND VERSES.
ThE division of the Scriptures into chapters and verses is of comparatively modern origin, being generally referred to the thirteenth and the fifteenth century of the Christian era. “The very great advantage it affords for facilitating references to particular passages, has caused it to be retained, though much to the injury of its interpretation, as many passages are now severed that ought to be united, and vice versa.” It is often subversive of the sense, and far more frequently breaks in upon the necessary connection of historical facts or arguments. A few instances out of great numbers which might be collected, will demonstrate this. Joshua, chapters five and six, are so separated that very few persons observe that the captain of the Lord's host continues his conversation with Joshua, and that the first verse of the sixth chapter is a parenthesis. Ezra vii, 12 and 13.—The close of one verse and the beginning of the next, if not separated, would read, “Perfect peace, and at such a time I make a decree.” It now stands thus: “Perfect peace and at such a time.” Thus nonsense is made of what otherwise would appear to be connected reasoning. Artaxerxes made a decree in a season of perfect peace, which he intimates would not have been so proper at a period of civil commotion or war. 1 Cor. xiith, xiiith, and xivth chapters.—The separation of these three chapters prevents many readers from following the reasoning of the Apostle. He says:— “Covet the best gifts, and yet show I unto you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I am nothing,” &c. “And now abideth faith, hope and charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity. Follow after charity and desire spiritual gifts.” By interposing two artificial divisions, and commencing a new chapter with “Though I speak,” and another with “Follow after charity,” the connection is entirely broken, and the ordinary reader is precluded from understanding the argument. Every student of the Bible will recall numerous instances of this character. Indeed, it is so common that those who would know the truth, are obliged generally as they read, to disregard these divisions into chapters and verses. Everything that is possible ought to be done to present the thought to the mind of the reader as it was communicated by the Holy Spirit. Whatever of human invention breaks the argument, or obscures the sense, should be avoided. Some of the rarest beauties of thought and expression are entirely destroyed by the present system of breaking up a letter from an apostle into chapters and verses, which he never imagined, and could not have approved. Take, for example, the letter of Paul the apostle to the Philippians. How beautiful and touching, read as a letter! How broken and disfigured, cut up into chapters and verses!