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Could more books be added to the Bible?

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TL;DR:

The Bible is complete and closed—no more books will be added, as God’s Word is perfect, sufficient, and eternal. This unchanging canon, finalized by AD 363, continues to equip believers fully for life and faith.

what does the bible say?

The Bible's 66 books are complete and will not be added to in the future. How can we know? The strongest passage to address this question is Revelation 22:18–19: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." Additional warnings against adding to or taking away from Scripture are found in Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32, and Proverbs 30:5–6.

What God has already given is sufficient for every need (Psalm 19:7–9). The Scripture already revealed by God can make us complete for everything He has called us to be and do in life (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The biblical canon was finalized in AD 363, and it has stood the test of time.

from the old testament

  • God's Word is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true (Psalm 19:7–9).
  • The words of the Bible will not be added to in the future, but rather, will endure forever to accomplish God's purposes (Isaiah 40:8).

from the new testament

  • Jesus said the Word of God will not be changed but will accomplish its purpose (Matthew 5:18).
  • Paul warns believers in Colossians 2:8 to focus on truth and on Christ. We are not to be deceived or tricked by human philosophy or tradition contained in some non-biblical writings.
  • "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

implications for today

We are called to read the Bible, study it and apply it to our lives in order to honor God and impact those around us. Because the Bible is complete and closed, we can be confident that God has already provided everything necessary for us to understand His will, grow in faith, and live a life that honors Him. This means we don’t need to search for new revelations or extra books—God’s Word, as it stands, is sufficient to teach us truth, correct our mistakes, guide our decisions, and train us in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The timeless wisdom, promises, and commands within Scripture cover every aspect of life and faith, giving us a firm foundation to face challenges, make moral choices, and deepen our relationship with God. Since the canon was finalized centuries ago and has been preserved faithfully, it assures us that nothing vital is missing; all God wants us to know has been revealed. Therefore, when we immerse ourselves in the Bible, we are accessing the complete and perfect instruction from God—equipping us fully to live according to His purposes and to impact the world with His truth.

understand

  • The Bible’s 66 books are complete, and no more will be added.
  • The canon of Scripture was finalized by AD 363 and has remained unchanged since.
  • God’s Word is fully sufficient to teach, correct, guide, and equip believers for life and faith.

reflect

  • How does knowing the Bible is complete affect your confidence in relying solely on Scripture for guidance in life?
  • How can you deepen your commitment to studying the Bible, knowing it contains all you need for faith and godly living?
  • How might you respond when others suggest adding to or changing the Bible, based on your understanding of its completeness?

engage

  • How does the finality of the biblical canon shape our approach to new teachings or spiritual revelations we encounter today?
  • What challenges do believers face when deciding how much authority to give to Scripture versus tradition or personal insight?
  • How can we encourage one another to trust the sufficiency of God’s Word in a culture that often seeks additional or alternative spiritual messages?

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