THE PROFITABLE SCRIPTURES
- Brother Nello
- Mar 25, 2020
- 4 min read
When I was in Sunday School, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 was among my favourite Bible verses.
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 (KJV).
Honestly, I have never really stopped to deeply study this verse, especially the key concepts/words that we often glide over. So, I decided to embark on this journey and I invite you to enter the door with me to this learning adventure.
The Apostle Paul wrote these words to his spiritual son, Timothy, a young minister of the church in Ephesus. When Paul wrote these words, he was in prison and wanted to encourage the discouraged youth. In this chapter, Paul exhorts Timothy to be aware that difficult times would come and that people would increasingly depart from the Christian faith.
Paul, therefore, admonished the young man to observe the older apostle’s life – his “doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions” (vv. 10-11, KJV) – and how he had endured these so well. Paul said that “evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (v. 13, ESV). We can surely see much of that happening today.
However, Paul instructs Timothy to continue in the things he had learnt, remember from whom he learnt them. (It is good when you can have a faithful teacher/guide on your Christian journey.) Nevertheless, Paul made it clear that the greatest source of such learning is found in the Scriptures, which are inspired and have valuable and purposeful uses. Let us look at some key aspects of verses 16 & 17.
1. “given by inspiration of God” – the Greek word used here is theópneustos which literally means “God-breathed”, referring to the divine inspiration (inbreathing) of Scripture, and is only use here.[1]
2. “doctrine” is from the Greek didaskalía which properly means “applied-teaching”; Christian doctrine (teaching) as it especially extends to its necessary lifestyle (applications)[2]. It is translated as “teaching, learning, or doctrine.”
3. “reproof” comes from the Gr. élegxos is “inner conviction focuses on God confirming His inbirthing of faith; the internal persuasion from Him”. It is translated “proof, reproof, conviction or evidence.”[3]
4. “correction” from the Gr. epanórthōsis which is to “make straight”; properly, it means “suitable because straight, i.e. restored to its (original) proper condition; restoration to an upright or right state; reformation; rectification; hence, correction (referring to something that is aptly “straightened out”),[4]
5. “instruction” is from the Gr. paideía which means “the rearing of a child, training, discipline; training and education of children; instruction that trains someone to reach full development (maturity).” It is also used to mean “tutorage, disciplinary correction, chastening, chastisement, and nurture (suggesting the Christian discipline that regulates character.” (See Heb. 12:5, 7 & 8).[5]
6. righteousness is derived from the Gr. dikaiosýnē which literally means “the approval of God; divine approval; refers to what is deemed right by the Lord (after His examination), i.e. what is approved in His eyes.” It is “the character or quality of being right or just . . . that conforms to the revealed will of God.”[6]
7. be complete comes from the Gr. ártios which means “perfect, complete, fitted, ready; ready now, prepared to function (efficiently) in the immediate present; ready-because-prepared” It is only used here in 2 Tim 3:17. According to Strong (2010), “it refers to not only to the presence of all the parts that are necessary for completeness but also to the further adaptation and aptitude of these parts for their designed purpose.”[7]
8. thoroughly equipped is translated from the Gr. eksartízō, that is, (a) I fit up, completely furnish, equip, furnish, supply, (b) I accomplish, finish. fitted (because fully suitable) because all the parts work together; “entirely outfitted” [which] is used in the passive voice in 2 Tim 3:17, stressing the end-impact of Scripture on the receptive believer. Indeed the Bible thoroughly fits ("furnishes") each believer to live in full communion with God. To furnish completely[8]
When all these thoughts are amalgamated, we get a more rounded view of the verses. The Holy Scriptures are God-breathed; they come from His thoughts; they are inspired by Him. They are profitable for teaching Christian doctrine; for bringing conviction and persuasion to the human heart; for straightening out any diversions from God’s truth, rectifying errors and misconceptions, and restoring us to God’s original truth; and for training and discipline in order to shape our character. All of this work together to bring out in us, the desired character traits of which Yahweh approves and to completely fit us and furnish us for good works that meet His approval.
Each person has the wonderful privilege of entering into God’s presence, through Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus, the Christ), and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, be instructed, convicted, straightened out, restored to truth and be fully equipped (irrespective of educational or economic status) for Yahweh’s good pleasure.
Let us all allow God’s Word to Speak!
Brother Nello
2020 March 25
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