Why Write?

Why write? I must write. Necessity is laid on me. Woe to me, if I write not. I write to reach!

“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).


“Search for the reason that bids you write; find out whether it is spreading out its roots in the deepest places of your heart, acknowledge to yourself whether you would have to die if you were denied to write. This above all – ask yourself in the stillest hour of your night: must I write?” Letters to a Young Poet – Ranier Maria Rilke

I write to transfer the truth I’ve received to faithful men, who shall be able to reach others.

“Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” (Proverbs 22:20-21)

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it” (Habakkuk 2:2).

Writing preserves our heritage and message for future generations.

“This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD” (Psalms 102:18).

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven” (Exodus 17:14).

“And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates” (Deuteronomy 6:9).

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe” (Philippians 3:1).

“All we have ever said, all we could ever say comes down to this final question, Who really is writing what I write? Am I or am I not an instrument in the hand of the Divine?” (Charles Shedd, If I Can Write, You Can Write)