The term "mattered" in the context of the Bible is not directly found as a specific word in most translations, including the Berean Standard Bible . However, the concept of what "mattered" or what holds significance is deeply woven throughout the biblical narrative. The Bible consistently addresses what is of true importance in the eyes of God and His people.

Significance in Creation and Humanity

From the very beginning, the Bible establishes what matters through the act of creation. Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This verse highlights the intrinsic value and significance of human beings, created in the image of God. The creation narrative underscores that humanity matters profoundly to God, as He entrusted them with stewardship over the earth (Genesis 1:28).

The Law and the Prophets

The Law given to Moses and the messages of the prophets further delineate what matters to God. In Deuteronomy 6:5 , the command is clear: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This commandment, reiterated by Jesus in the New Testament, emphasizes that wholehearted devotion to God is of utmost importance.

The prophets often called the people of Israel back to what truly mattered—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Micah 6:8 encapsulates this call: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Teachings of Jesus

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ further clarifies what matters in the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 22:37-39 , Jesus responds to a question about the greatest commandment: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" Here, Jesus distills the essence of the Law and the Prophets into love for God and love for others, indicating that these are the matters of greatest importance.

Additionally, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about the priorities of the Kingdom, urging His followers to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). This teaching underscores the eternal significance of spiritual pursuits over temporal concerns.

Apostolic Writings

The apostles continue to expound on what matters in their epistles. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:13 , writes, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love." Love is presented as the enduring and most significant virtue, reflecting the character of God and the essence of Christian living.

In Philippians 3:8 , Paul expresses the surpassing worth of knowing Christ: "More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." This passage highlights the ultimate importance of a relationship with Christ above all earthly gains.

Eternal Perspective

The Bible consistently points to an eternal perspective, urging believers to focus on what truly matters in light of eternity. In 2 Corinthians 4:18 , Paul writes, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." This perspective encourages believers to prioritize spiritual and eternal matters over the fleeting concerns of this world.

Throughout Scripture, what "mattered" is consistently aligned with God's character, His commandments, and His eternal purposes. The Bible calls believers to align their lives with these divine priorities, emphasizing love, justice, faith, and a relationship with God as the matters of greatest significance.(imp. & p. p.) of Matter.

The Final Retrospect
... What mattered it if his way had been rugged and thorny? What mattered the
thousand perils that had threatened him on every side? ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk fifty-nine the final retrospect.htm

The Net Broken
... Haman's plot. Whether the Jews were wiped out or not mattered nothing to
him, so long as he had no trouble in the affair. To shift ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the net broken.htm

The Golden Calf
... Jehovah. If the people had their idol, it mattered nothing to them, and
it mattered as little to Jehovah, what 'name' it bore. The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the golden calf.htm

The Woman which was a Sinner
... will give rest. What mattered all else to her in the hunger of her soul,
which had just tasted of that Heavenly Bread? The shadow ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the woman which.htm

When travelling lately through the Simplon
... flee to one of these Refuge-cities. It mattered not what his age, or name,
or station in life was. He might be young or old, prince ...
/.../the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/i when travelling lately through.htm

Editor's Preface
... Our principle has been that nothing mattered, so long as the reader could understand
what he was reading in the text of the New Testament. James Moffatt. ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/editors preface.htm

A Summary of Experience and a Body of Divinity
... Yet it mattered not in what condition the ambassador might be; God, who worketh
mighty things by weak instruments, blessed the word of his servant Paul. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/a summary of experience and.htm

The Shepherd among his Flock
... In a surpassingly unselfish fashion he thought of himself as the head of the Christ
Church family, and it mattered not at all to him whether people who needed ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/the shepherd among his flock.htm

Mercy's Master Motive
... successors did the same: whether they were ruled by the high priest, or governed
by the judges, or presided over by a king, it little mattered, they started ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/mercys master motive.htm

Kingo's Psalmbook
... And it mattered not that the new texts were on the whole much finer than
the old, for people were not yet ready to relinquish these. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter five kingos psalmbook.htm

Mattered (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Matter. Multi-Version Concordance
Mattered (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 3:9 So that through ...
/m/mattered.htm - 6k

Jael (6 Occurrences)
... question. The method of his death mattered little to her, for all the laws
of peace were abrogated in the times of war. Therefore ...
/j/jael.htm - 14k

Matters (131 Occurrences)

/m/matters.htm - 36k

Matter (263 Occurrences)

/m/matter.htm - 39k

Jesus (10891 Occurrences)
... if not hostile, to the objects and actions by which the Almighty is honored; and
it is often said that the only service of God which mattered in His eyes was ...
/j/jesus.htm - 101k

Ethics
... if not hostile, to the objects and actions by which the Almighty is honored; and
it is often said that the only service of God which mattered in His eyes was ...
/e/ethics.htm - 70k

What does the Bible say about how to find purpose in life? | GotQuestions.org

Did God divorce Israel? | GotQuestions.org

Did Jesus have long hair? | GotQuestions.org

Mattered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus