A meaningful biblical example
When Ezra read the Book of the Law to the returned exiles in Jerusalem, the people stood as he opened it. They also responded with worship and bowed before the Lord. It was a weighty public moment after years of exile, and their posture expressed reverence for God and his word (Nehemiah 8:5-6).
That scene gives good reason for a church to stand during a Bible reading. It can help a gathered people pause, listen carefully, and remember that they are hearing God's word. But Nehemiah describes what those people did on that day. It does not give a command that every church must follow in exactly the same way.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
Jesus stood, then sat
In Nazareth's synagogue, Jesus stood to read from Isaiah (Luke 4:16). Afterward, he gave the book back and sat down to teach the people about how that Scripture was being fulfilled (Luke 4:20). Standing was part of the reading practice in that setting, while sitting was a normal posture for teaching.
This is helpful because it shows that posture can serve a purpose without becoming the main point. The focus in the synagogue was not simply that Jesus stood. It was the Scripture he read and the truth he proclaimed.
What matters most
Paul told Timothy to give attention to the public reading of Scripture, as well as exhortation and teaching (1 Timothy 4:13). The instruction is clear about reading God's word aloud among God's people. It does not tell everyone in the room which physical posture they must take.
So a congregation may stand, remain seated, or make another respectful arrangement. Churches should aim for worship that is orderly and builds people up, rather than judging one another over a practice Scripture does not require (1 Corinthians 14:40). Someone may need to sit because of disability, pain, age, or caring for a child. They are no less reverent before God.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Receive the word with humility
The Bereans were commended because they received the message eagerly and examined the Scriptures to see whether it was true (Acts 17:11). That is the response to seek, whether you are standing or sitting. Listen closely, test what you hear by Scripture, and ask God to shape your life through it.
If your church invites people to stand, you can join in gladly if you are able. If it does not, you need not feel that something is missing. Reverence shows itself not only in a moment of standing, but in trusting and living out the word that has been read.