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.
2 Timothy 3:16,17.
Note the items for which Scripture is of profit. Most people
are interested in profit. Here is profit that is abiding. But some of the
items are not liked so well. Doctrine is all right. Most folks that are spiritual
at all enjoy some doctrine, teaching. But reproof that is different. We like
to reprove, but do not care to be reproved. But the reproof of the Scriptures
should be accepted with thankfulness. There is also correction. If our way
is wrong, then we can correct it by the Word. But it is hard to admit that
one is wrong. This is a grace that can be learned by practice. Then there
is the 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. Now
the object of all this profitable work of the Word is that the man of God
might be perfect, not perfect morally as so many think, but perfect in that
he can accomplish that for which he was created.
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.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7.
No one can love God unless he knows God. And God can be known only from
the Word that tells us about Him. David said, THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MINE
HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE (Psalms 119: 11). Evidently
he knew this counsel of God. The Jews knew that knowledge of the Word and
belief in it brought life, so it was the custom at the Passover that the youngest
child that could talk would ask the question as to why they observed this
feast, so that the father then could recite the deliverance from Egypt of
which this feast was a remembrance. If believing is the requirement for resurrection,
as John 3:16 indicates, then it was necessary for parents who loved their
little ones and wished that they live again, to give them the Word as soon
as they could repeat it and grasp it. The Word of God was to be a common
topic of conversation in the home. Many of the Hebrew children memorized
long passages and some even learned all the OT from memory. It was only natural
that the children should grow up as believers. And there is a profitable
lesson for today too.
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. Colossians 3: 16.
Our Lord has said that heaven and earth shall pass away, but that His
words shall not pass away. Being indestructible, they are profitable.
2 Timothy 3:16,17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. No doubt Paul had in mind
all Scripture written up to this time. That then would include the Bible as
we have it today except Second Timothy, which he was writing. We have no
doubt about it also being inspired..We do not include the Apocrypha, for
it was introduced along with the LXX, not in the Hebrew Scriptures.
We note in the verse before that Paul says, 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. No doubt Timothy up to this point
had access to all Scriptures except this one last epistle, and now he has
that.
All the Scriptures then were God-breathed. And because they are
the inspired Word of God, we have the words added, And is profitable. We are
always interested in that which is profitable, and we should be. And what
can be more profitable than the Scriptures which speak of the unsearchable
riches of Christ?
The Scriptures are profitable;
1. 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.
2. For Reproof. If we have proof, then we should have. conviction.
And this is the meaning of the word. But the Word can only reprove when
believed. Reproof then comes from being convinced of the truth.
3. For Correction. This is the only place this word is used. It means
to right up again, set to rights, to restore. With rudder and compass
one can set right the course of the ship. So is the inspired Word.
4. For Instruction in Righteousness. The word here is sometimes translated
discipline. Also it can mean to teach. But the goal of the
instruction or teaching is to go on unto righteousness. To Israel the righteousness
of God was revealed by the law. Now He deals with mankind righteously in grace
because of the work of the Son. We have an imputed righteousness, the righteousness
of Christ. But there is a righteousness to be put in practice in the daily
walk of the Christian.
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good
works. This is the goal. It has to do with both walk and the ministry of the
saints.
The walk of the member of the body of Christ is outlined in Ephesians
4-6. It is to walk worthy of the calling. Perfect means to be fitted.
And furnished means equipped. So one is to be fitted and equipped for
every good work.
To make the message a bit plainer, let us join the first and the last
in this manner, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, that the man
of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
