Because “evil
men and seducers” would increase during the last days, Paul the
apostle exhorted Timothy, his “dearly beloved son”, to
“continue in the things” he had “learned”, and
he reminded him “from a child you have known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus.” In
chapter three and verse sixteen of this final letter from Paul, he
declared “God” as
the source of the “inspiration”
of “all scripture”
where we read:
All
scripture is given
by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine,
for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
The
verse begins, “All scripture is
given by inspiration of God,...” Paul
began with the word, “All”
which means “each, every, any and the
whole” “scripture” which
refers to “writings, contents and portions of the Holy Scripture”
“is given by inspiration of God”
which is all one Greek word, “theopneustos”
and
means “inspired and divinely breathed by God”. In other words,
“all”
of the “holy scriptures”
are “God-breathed” and fully developed, produced, instituted and
given by God's guidance.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness:” Paul went on to add the
benefits of “all” the
divinely inspired “scripture”
by writing, “and is profitable”
or “helpful, serviceable and advantageous”
“for doctrine” which is “teachings,
instructions and precepts”. He continued, “for
reproof” or “that by which a thing is
proved or tested” and carries the idea of “conviction”. Paul
added, “for correction”
which means “restoration to an upright or right state and
improvement of life or character”. He finally wrote, “for
instruction” or “training, education,
cultivation and chastisement which aims at increasing virtue” “in
righteousness” or “doctrine concerning
the way in which man may attain a state approved of God, integrity,
virtue, purity of life and correctness of thinking, feeling and
acting”. No doubt with these four advantages found within “all
scripture” Timothy would be well equipped
to handle anything he faced personally and within the church.
While
we think upon Paul's words, let us realize the importance of “All
Scripture” being “God-breathed”. Every scripture in the
Bible has its purpose, and the Lord God Almighty has a plan for each
of them. By reading, studying and meditating upon “all
scripture” our lives are shaped, formed, corrected and aligned
with the ways of God. Our understanding of correct teaching and
doctrine is found in the Bible. Our necessary proofs and evidence of
God, Jesus Christ, the fall of man, the redemption plan of man
through Jesus' death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection and
imminent return are all found within the scriptures. When we need
“correction” the “scriptures” are the altering
device, and when we need “instruction” in ways which are
“righteous” and in alignment with “integrity, virtue, purity of
life and correctness”, the “scriptures” will be our
guide. We are a blessed people to have the God-breathed Bible, and
“all scripture” being inspired by God for our benefit is
more than ample proof. May we learn to value this incredible gift of
the “Divinely inspired” word of God.
Next
time Paul tells Timothy the purpose of the God inspired scripture, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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