With the 2010 Winter Olympics about to begin in British Columbia, the world is focused on excellence. For an Olympic athlete, competing in an Olympics takes hard work, focus and determination. Scripture often describes the Christian life in such terms. In running the race, we are to aim for the prize and avoid obstacles., The key discipline in running the race is awareness of the way to success. The way we become more like Christ, and fulfill our calling, is an awareness, love and devotion to Bible Study.
In the words originally revealed and recorded, all Scripture is God’s inerrant and infallible Word. We do not possess the original manuscripts, the parchment upon which the original human author penned scripture, but we have thousands of concurrent copies testifying to a unified message from God. We hold to the verbal, plenary inspiration of Scripture.
It is not because the church, upon a certain date, long ago, made an official decision (the decision of the Council of Hippo, 393 A.D.; of Carthage, 397 A.D.), do these books constitute the inspired Bible; on the contrary, the sixty-six books, by their very contents, immediately attest themselves to the hearts of all Spirit-indwelt (people) as being the living oracles of God (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 4: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles. New Testament Commentary (302). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).
Nobody but the most prejudiced person would deny that the Bible is a unique book if only because, after existing for centuries, it continues to be taught, bought, distributed and loved more than any other book that has ever been written. But its true uniqueness lies in its unity, which is the hallmark of its divine inspiration. For the Bible is not just one book but a whole library of thirty-nine books in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament. These were written over a period of some fifteen centuries by more than forty authors all of whom were different, including kings (David, Solomon), philosophers (Ecclesiastes), poets (Psalms), farmers (Amos), statesmen (Daniel), priests (Ezekiel, Ezra), prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah), fishermen (Peter, John) and scholars like Paul. With such a variety of authorship over such a long period, one might expect the result to be a book that was no more than a mixed bag of ideas and inconsistencies. Instead, the Bible has a wonderful unity from Genesis to Revelation as it unfolds the single theme of God’s plan of redemption (Williams, P. (2007). Opening up 2 Timothy (82–83). Leominster: Day One Publications).
The discipline of Bible study is profitable because 1) Scripture is Inspired and Inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16a), 2) Profitable for Teaching. (2 Timothy 3:16b) 3) Profitable for Reproof. (2 Timothy 3:16c) 4) Profitable for Correction. (2 Timothy 3:16d) 5) Profitable for Training in Righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16e) and finally:
6) Profitable for Competency & Equipping. (2 Timothy 3:17).
The disciple of Bible study is profitable because
1) Scripture is Inspired and Inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16a),
2 Timothy 3:16a [16]All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (ESV)
The first predicate adjective that describes Scripture, focuses on the authority of His written Word. Scripture is “breathed out by God,” (Theopneustos), “God-breathed.” or inspired by God.
The word God-breathed, occurring only here indicates that “all scripture” owes its origin and contents to the divine breath, the Spirit of God. The human authors were powerfully guided and directed by the Holy Spirit (2 Pt. 1:20-21). As a result, what they wrote is not only without error but of supreme value for man. It is all that God wanted it to be. It constitutes the infallible rule of faith and practice for (humankind) (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 4: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles. New Testament Commentary (302). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).
God sometimes breathed His words into the human writers to be recorded much as dictation. He said to Jeremiah: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth” (Jer. 1:9). But, as clearly seen in Scripture itself, God’s divine truth more often flowed through the minds, souls, hearts, and emotions of His chosen human instruments. Yet, by whatever means, God divinely superintended the accurate recording of His divinely breathed truth by His divinely chosen men. In a supernatural way, He has provided His divine Word in human words that any person, even a child, can be led by His Holy Spirit to understand sufficiently to be saved.
It is of utmost importance to understand that it is Scripture is breathed out by God placing the divine perfection on His word, not the men divinely chosen to record it. When speaking or writing apart from God’s revelation, their thoughts, wisdom, and understanding were human and fallible. They were not inspired in the sense that we commonly use that term of people with extraordinary artistic, literary, or musical genius. Nor were they inspired in the sense of being personal repositories of divine truth which they could dispense at will. Many human authors of Scripture penned other documents, but none of those writings exist today, and, even if discovered, they would not carry the weight of Scripture. We know, for instance, that Paul wrote at least two other letters to the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 5:9; 2 Cor. 2:4), but no copies of those letters have ever been found. The letters doubtless were godly, spiritually insightful, and blessed of the Lord, but they were not Scripture.
Many men who wrote Scripture, such as Moses and Paul, were highly trained in human knowledge and wisdom, but that learning was not the source of the divine truth they recorded. David was a highly gifted poet, and that gift doubtless is reflected in the beauty of his psalms, but it was not the source of the divine truths revealed in those psalms.
Scripture first of all and above all is from God and about God, His self-revelation to fallen humanity. From Genesis through Revelation, God reveals His truth, His character, His attributes, and His divine plan.
All Scripture refers to the New as well as to the Old Testament. As Paul explained in the previous verse the hieros grammata (“sacred writings”) were the Hebrew Scriptures (The Old Testament), which Timothy had been taught from childhood (v. 15).
Scripture is inspired and inerrant in its words. Unless the very words of Scripture are breathed out/inspired by God and authoritative, humanity is left to his own resources to ferret out what seem to be underlying divine concepts and principles.
Even from a purely logical perspective, to discount the words of Scripture is to discount all meaning of Scripture.
Earlier in His ministry, Jesus proclaimed the essence of the gospel:
John 5:24 [24]Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (ESV)
Please turn to John 12
There is a clear link to unity among the Godhead through the words that they spoke. Jesus makes it clear the central unity springing forth from God the Father in the message that He spoke:
John 12:49-50 [49]For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment--what to say and what to speak. [50]And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me." (ESV)
B) The second predicate adjective Paul uses to describe Scripture is profitable, which focuses on the sufficiency of God’s written Word. Profitable translates ôphelimos, which includes the ideas of beneficial, productive, and sufficient.
Please turn to Psalm 19
Scripture is sufficient in being comprehensive. Paralleled in the Old Testament only by Psalm 119 and confirmed by Joshua 1:8, these verses supremely affirm the absolute sufficiency of Scripture to meet all the spiritual needs of God’s people.
David understood the sufficiency of God’s Word, and in one of his most uplifting psalms he exulted:
Psalm 19:7-13 [7]The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; [8]the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; [9]the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. [10]More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. [11]Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. [12]Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. [13]Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
• In verses 7–9 David refers to God’s Word by six different titles: God’s law, testimony, precepts, commandment, fear (Referring to worship), and judgments. In those same verses, he mentions six characteristics of that divine Word: It is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true. Also included are six blessings that the Word brings in the believer’s life: It restores the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, endures forever, and produces complete righteousness. The remaining verses (10–13) extol the benefits of the work of the Word: It makes rich, delights, rewards, convicts, and protects.
• It is a marvelous mark of God’s loving grace that He has given us every truth, every principle, every standard, and every warning that we will ever need for living out our salvation according to His will.
In 2 Timothy 3:16 Paul declares that Scripture is profitable for believers in four important ways: for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.
Illustration: The inspiration of the Bible is seen in its unique survival. All through history it has been a hated book for certain people because of its claim to be the word of the living God. But in spite of all attempts at times by emperors, dictators and totalitarian governments to destroy it by burning, confiscation and the imprisonment and persecution of those who read it and preach it, all such attempts have miserably failed—this remarkable book is still with us and is as widely dispersed as ever.
During the Stalin era in Russia, the Marxist government derided the Bible as a book full of legends, myths, and old wives’ tales. It even established an anti-Bible museum in Moscow to try and convince the people. Yet for all their derision, the authorities were so desperately afraid that people would read it and believe it, that they put them in prison and in labour camps for doing so. Why? Because they knew that this unique book had the power to change people’s lives (Williams, P. (2007). Opening up 2 Timothy (83–84). Leominster: Day One Publications).
The disciple of Bible study is profitable because 1) Scripture is Inspired and Inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16a), and
2) Profitable for Teaching. (2 Timothy 3:16b)
2 Timothy 3:16b [16]All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (ESV)
The word here for teaching (didaskalia) does not refer to the process or method of teaching but to its content. In this context, as in most others in the New Testament, didaskalia refers specifically and exclusively to divine instruction, or doctrine, given to believers through God’s Word, which included not only the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the teaching of Jesus during His incarnation but also the inspired teaching of the apostles and New Testament authors.
When it comes to godly living and godly service, to growing in “the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4), God-breathed Scripture provides for us the comprehensive and complete body of divine truth necessary to live as our heavenly Father desires for us to live. The wisdom and guidance for fulfilling everything He commands us to believe, think, say, and do is found in His inerrant, authoritative, comprehensive, and completed Word.
Even after conversion, trust in one’s own wisdom is a severe hindrance to correct understanding of Scripture and to full usefulness in the Lord’s service. The counsel to “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5) is every bit as valid for Christians as it was for Old Testament saints.
It is impossible to believe, understand, and follow what you do not even know. It is completely futile, as well as foolish, to expect to live a spiritual life without knowing spiritual truth.
Biblically untaught believers, especially those in biblically untaught churches, are easy prey for false teachers. They are spiritual “children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Eph. 4:14).
Please turn to Ephesians 6
Both the first and last pieces of spiritual armor that Paul mentions in his letter to believers at Ephesus pertain to Scripture.
Ephesians 6:14-17 [14]Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15]and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16]In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17]and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (ESV)
Machaira (“sword”) refers to a short sword, or dagger, a weapon used in close combat that required skillful use in order to be effective. “Word” translates rhçma, which refers to a specific statement or wording, not to general truth, as does the more commonly used logos.
Our “wielding” of Scripture, as it were, should be as precise, accurate, and appropriate as possible. No matter how good our intentions might be, to interpret or apply a passage thoughtlessly or to quote it out of context creates confusion and uncertainty. It does disservice to the Lord and to those we are attempting to instruct.
We are called to:
2 Timothy 2:15 [15]Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (ESV)
• Careless use of Scripture, even by the Lord’s own people, can do great damage to the cause of Christ, as it often has done throughout church history.
• The truths of God’s Word are spiritual wealth that we should continually be depositing into our minds and hearts. Like deposits of money in our bank account, those deposits of divine truth become spiritual assets that we can draw on readily when confronting temptation, when making moral choices and when seeking God’s specific will and guidance for our lives.
Poem: Teaching is Sowing the Seed
An angel paused in his onward flight
With a seed of love and truth and right,
And said, “Oh, where can this seed be sown
That it yield more fruit when fully grown?”
“To whom can this precious seed be given
That it bear more fruit for earth and heaven?”
The Saviour heard and said as He smiled
“Place it at once in the heart of a child.”
The angel whispered the blessed truth
To a weary teacher of precious youth;
Her face grew bright with heavenly light
As she led their thought in the way of right.
(Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.)
The disciple of Bible study is profitable because 1) Scripture is Inspired and Inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16a), 2) Profitable for Teaching. (2 Timothy 3:16b) and
3) Profitable for Reproof. (2 Timothy 3:16c)
2 Timothy 3:16c [16]All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (ESV)
A second work of the Word in the life of believers is that of reproof. Elegmos (reproof) carries the idea of rebuking in order to convict of misbehavior or false doctrine. As with teaching, Scripture’s work of reproof has to do with content, with equipping believers with accurate knowledge and understanding of divine truth, in this context divine truth that exposes falsehood and sin, erroneous belief, and ungodly conduct.
Please turn to Hebrews 4
Regular and careful study of Scripture builds a foundation of truth that, among other things, exposes sin in a believer’s life with the purpose of bringing correction, confession, renunciation, and obedience.
Using the same Greek word as Paul does in Ephesians 6:17, the writer of Hebrews speaks of the Bible as a divine sword that exposes sin in a believer’s life.
Hebrews 4:12-13 [12]For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [13]And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (ESV)
• Scripture precisely and thoroughly penetrates the believer’s mind, soul, and heart.
Every Christian who has been saved for any length of time has experienced times of being sharply and deeply convicted by reading a particular Bible passage or hearing it preached or taught. Every experienced Christian also knows that during times of disobedience he or she is strongly tempted to forsake Bible study and worship and finds that fellowship with faithful believers becomes less attractive and comfortable. Looked at from the opposite side, decreased desire to study God’s Word, to worship Him, and to be with His people is reliable evidence of unconfessed and unforsaken sin. It is for that reason that a Bible-teaching, Bible-believing, and Bible-obeying church is never a haven for persistent sinners. As Jesus explained the principle to Nicodemus, “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20).
Scripture has the negative ministry of tearing down and destroying that which is sinful and false as well as the positive ministry of building up and improving that which is righteous and true. Just as in medicine, infection and contamination must be excised before healing can begin.
Reproving the wrongdoing of his people is as much a pastor’s responsibility as helping build them up in righteousness. At the beginning of the next chapter of this letter, Paul wrote:
2 Timothy 4:1-2 [4:1]I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: [2]preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (ESV)
• The first two of those three admonitions are negative, the first one being the verb form of elegmos (reproof). God’s minister, like God’s Word, must reprove sin and falsehood.
Quote: On the nature of Reproof, Vance Havner said:
I thank God for the Unseen Hand, sometimes urging me onward, sometimes holding me back; sometimes with a caress of approval, sometimes with a stroke of reproof; sometimes correcting, sometimes comforting. My times are in His hand.(Vance Havner, Fourscore (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1982), 23.)
The disciple of Bible study is profitable because 1) Scripture is Inspired and Inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16a), 2) Profitable for Teaching. (2 Timothy 3:16b) 3) Profitable for Reproof. (2 Timothy 3:16c) and
4) Profitable for Correction. (2 Timothy 3:16d)
2 Timothy 3:16d [16]All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (ESV)
Epanorthôsis (correction) is used only here in the New Testament and refers to the restoration of something to its original and proper condition. In secular Greek literature it was used of setting upright an object that had fallen down and of helping a person back on his feet after stumbling.
Please turn to Hebrews 12
After exposing and condemning false belief and sinful conduct in believers, Scripture then builds them up through its divine correction. Correction is Scripture’s positive provision for those who accept its negative reproof.
Hebrews 12:4-11 [4]In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. [5]And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. [6]For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." [7]It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? [8]If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. [9]Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? [10]For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. [11]For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (ESV)
In order to make His people obedient, useful, and effective in His service, the Lord has to trim away not only things that are sinful but also things that are useless. He may take away things that are perfectly good in themselves, even things that seem necessary, but which He knows are a hindrance to our spiritual growth and service. They can sap time, attention, and effort from the work He has for us to do.
As with reproof, godly believers, especially pastors and teachers, are often the channel through which the Word brings correction. Earlier in this letter, Paul reminded Timothy
2 Timothy 2:24-25 [24]And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, [25]correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, (ESV)
Illustration: On correction, we often just don’t get it:
A man was on the practice golf course when he observed the club pro brought another man out for a lesson. The pro watched the fellow swing several times and started making suggestions for improvement, but each time the pupil interrupted with his own version of what was wrong and how to correct it. After a few minutes of this interference, the pro began nodding his head in agreement. At the end of the lesson, the student paid the pro, congratulated him on his expertise as a teacher, and left in an obviously pleased frame of mind.
The observer was so astonished by the performance that he asked, “Why did you go along with him?” “Son,” the old pro said with a grin, as he carefully pocketed his fee, “I learned long ago that it’s a waste of time to sell answers to a man who wants to buy echoes.” (Green, M. P. (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching : Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
The disciple of Bible study is profitable because 1) Scripture is Inspired and Inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16a), 2) Profitable for Teaching. (2 Timothy 3:16b) 3) Profitable for Reproof. (2 Timothy 3:16c) 4) Profitable for Correction. (2 Timothy 3:16d) and:
5) Profitable for Training in Righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16e)
2 Timothy 3:16e [16]All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (ESV)
Training translates paideia, which had the original meaning of bringing up and instructing a child (paidion), but it came to be used of any sort of training. It also is rendered “correcting” (2 Tim. 2:25) and “discipline” (Eph. 6:4; Heb. 12:5, 7, 11). In the context of verses 16–17, it clearly refers to training in the broader and probably more positive sense, since the negatives are covered by reproof. It is directed at the ideas of instruction and building up. Until the Lord takes us to be with Himself, His Word is to continue training us in righteousness.
Please turn to Titus 2
“Training” (“education”; paideia) “in righteousness.” Paideia was a dominant concept in Greco-Roman culture. It was to result in the attainment of the virtues (self-control, piety, uprightness, seriousness, etc.), which amounted to “civilization.” (Towner, P. H. (2006). The Letters to Timothy and Titus. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (591–592). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.)
Titus 2:11-14 [11]For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12]training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13]waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [14]who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (ESV)
Illustration:
A U.S. Army officer told of the contrast in his pupils during two different eras of teaching at the artillery training school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In 1958–1960 the attitude was so lax that the instructors had a problem getting the men to stay awake to listen. During the 1965–67 classes, however, the men, hearing the same basic lectures, were alert and took copious notes. The reason: these men knew that in less than six weeks they would be facing the enemy in Vietnam.
One reason that Bible study seems to be irrelevant to many Christians is that they have no interaction with non-Christians, no vital ministry to growing believers, and no personal and internal struggle for godliness, all of which are factors that bring the truths of the Bible to apply to life (Green, M. P. (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching : Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
The disciple of Bible study is profitable because 1) Scripture is Inspired and Inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16a), 2) Profitable for Teaching. (2 Timothy 3:16b) 3) Profitable for Reproof. (2 Timothy 3:16c) 4) Profitable for Correction. (2 Timothy 3:16d) 5) Profitable for Training in Righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16e) and finally:
6) Profitable for Competency & Equipping. (2 Timothy 3:17).
2 Timothy 3:17 [17]that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (ESV)
The Bible can be of great value to an unbeliever, it will lead to salvation those who come to trust in the Savior and Lord it proclaims. But Paul is speaking here of Scripture’s special value for preachers, who are able, with the Spirit’s guidance, to understand and to proclaim the truths of God’s Word.
The apostle is addressing the man of God, a technical phrase used only of Timothy in the New Testament. In the Old Testament it is frequently used as a title for one who proclaimed the Word of God. In this context, man of God refers most directly to Timothy and, by extension, to all preachers.
Artios (competent/adequate) refers to persons who are complete, capable, and proficient in everything they are called to be or do.
Equipped for every good work could be paraphrased, “enabled to meet all demands of righteousness.”
Paul said to the Ephesian believers:
Ephesians 2:10 [10]For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)
Christ says to all those who belong to Him what He said to the Twelve:
John 9:4 [4]We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. (ESV)
Whether our purpose is to lead men and women to saving faith in Jesus Christ, to teach God’s truth to believers, to refute error in the church, to correct and rebuild erring believers, or to train believers to live righteously, our supreme and sufficient resource is God’s Word. It not only gives us the information to teach but also shapes us into living examples of that truth.
(Format note: Some base commentary from MacArthur, J. (1996). 2 Timothy (141–162). Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press.)
