II 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 PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS.
We will take a closer look at this verse to see what gems the Word of God can enlighten us with.
Most business decisions are made by executives that worry about the bottom line or profit. Our lives should get no less attention. What is profitable what is not? II Tim. 3:16, 17 gives us the foundation and the purpose of the Word of God in our lives.
Most people are interested in profit and what the Bible declared is profitable is not always interesting or even liked by Bible believing people. Doctrine is good and most people that are spiritual at all enjoy some doctrine, we will call doctrine right teaching.
Reproof that is a different animal though we may like to reprove others, but we do not care to be reproved ourselves. The reproof of the Word of God should be acceptable and be taken with thankfulness.
The third thing the Bible tells us is profitable is correction. We can correct our wrong ways by the Word. The hard part is admitting that one is wrong and that one needs correction. Practice is how we learn to be corrected gracefully.
Beyond correction is instruction in righteousness. God's ways are righteous. We need to know them so we can walk in them and so be instructed in righteousness.
The object of all profitable work of the Word as declared in this verse is that the man of God might be perfect, perfectly moral I think not as so many others think, but perfect in that he can fulfill the work for which he was created.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THINE HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIGHT. AND THESE WORDS SHALL BE IN THINE HEART: AND THOU SHALT TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY UNTO THY CHILDREN, AND SHALT TALK OF THEM WHEN THOU SITTEST IN THINE HOUSE, AND WHEN THOU WALKEST BY THE WAY, AND WHEN THOU LIEST DOWN, AND WHEN THOU RISEST UP.
Not one person can love another person without actually knowing that person the same is true with God. No one can truly love God unless one knows His Word. David said, THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MINE HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE (Psalms 119: 11). Evidently David knew this was the counsel of God.
In the Gospels believing is the requirement for resurrection, as John 3:16 states, it was necessary for those parents who loved their little ones and wished that they be resurrected, to teach them the Word as soon as they could talk and grasp it. The Word of God was to be the main topic of conversation in the home. Many Hebrew children memorized long passages and some even learn all the OT from memory. It was only natural that the children should grow up as believers. This is a profitable lesson for today too.
Colossians 3:16 LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM; TEACHING AND ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER IN PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING WITH GRACE IN YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 states that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, no doubt the Apostle Paul had in mind all Scripture written up to this time. That then would include the entire Bible as we have it today the exception being Second Timothy, the book that Paul was writing. II Timothy also is given by inspiration.
We note in the verse before, Paul writes in vs. 15 and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Timothy up to this point had access to all the Scripture except this one last epistle, that we being revealed to him via Pauls writing.
All Scripture was God-breathed. We are always interested in that which is profitable, and rightfully so. What can be more profitable than the Scriptures that speak of the unsearchable riches of Christ?
The Scriptures are profitable; - For Doctrine. This refers to teaching. Our teaching concerning the dispensation of the mystery is found in Ephesians 1-3 especially. Also much doctrine is set forth in Colossians.
- For Reproof. If we have proof, then we should have conviction. This is the meaning of the word. The Word can only reprove when it is believed. Reproof then comes from being convinced of the truth.
- For Correction. This is the only place this word is used. It means to right up again, set to rights, to restore. A fence post holds up the fence, if it falls it must be corrected or stood up right again so as to get the protection of the fence. The same is with the Word of God.
- For instruction in righteousness. The word here is sometimes translated discipline also it can mean to teach. The goal of the instruction or teaching is to go on to righteousness. To the Biblical Israel the righteousness of God was set forth by the law. Today God deals with mankind righteously in grace because of the work of His Son. We have an imputed righteousness, the righteousness of Christ. There is also righteousness that is to be put in practice in the daily lives of a Christian.
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly (not thoroughly) furnished unto all good works. This is the result. It has to do both with walk and ministering to the believers.
The daily practice of a believer who is a member of the Body of Christ is outlined in Ephesians chapters 4 to 6. Living a walk that is worthy of the calling of God.
Perfect in this verse II Tim. 3:17 means to be fitted, furnished means to be equipped. So one is to be fitted and equipped for every good work.
To make the message a little bit simpler, join the first part of the verse and the last part in this fashion, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. |
