2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Everything man knows about God, Satan, heaven,
hell, angels, demons or any other Bible subject is derived from God's
Word. God no longer speaks directly in the ear of man to reveal His
will. Instead, He speaks to us through the Scriptures.
Within the pages of Scripture we can learn all we need to know to be a
"complete" and "thoroughly equipped...man of God." Thus, we
should be diligent to study, search and meditate upon the Scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 should invoke confidence in the power and sufficiency
of the Scriptures in the life of the Christian. This passage offers
several reasons for our faith in the Bible.
First, it is completely inspired. Notice the phrase "All
Scripture" in verse 16. We do not have to worry about which books
are inspired and which are not; nor do we have the right to pick and
choose which Scriptures we will accept and which we will reject. If we
believe in God, we must have faith in "all Scripture" as coming
down to man from the Almighty.
Second, the Bible is completely functional. Verse 16 continues to
say that Scripture "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness." If one wants to know
about church "doctrine," they need to go no further than the
Bible. If a lost soul needs "proof" for believing in Jesus
Christ, the Scriptures will provide it. If an erring Christian needs to
be "corrected," the word of God can provide the discipline. If we
need "instruction" in good, right and holy things we have 66 books that
can meet the task.
Finally, the Bible is completely empowering. Verse 17 informs us
that the Scriptures are able to make the "man of God complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work." The "gospel" is
"the power of God to salvation..." (Romans 1:16). It gives us all
the information we need to get from here to the hereafter. 2 Peter 1:3
says, "...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to
life and godliness..."
All that God asks or wants you to do and believe in this life can be
found in the Scriptures. It can be useful in our teaching, our
persuasion of others, our correction of others and our instruction in
the right ways of God. Personally, it can make us better individuals,
prepared to meet every task God has for us with all the tools we need.
Accept it all and be accepted by God. Reject any part of it and your
life and soul will be unprepared for the work God has for you and the
eternity He has prepared.
January 2006