Perfect and Throughly Furnished 2 Timothy 3:17

As Paul the apostle continued to give final instructions to Timothy his “dearly beloved son” concerning his personal life and the life of the church in Ephesus, he insured that Timothy knew “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” because “in the last days, perilous times shall come” and “evil men and seducers” will increase more and more. Paul continued his thought concerning the “holy scriptures” in chapter three and verse seventeen of this final letter before his death where we read:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The verse begins, “That the man of God may be perfect,...” Paul continued by sharing the reason the scriptures were “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” by adding, “That the man” which refers to “a human being whether male or female” “of God” or “Godhead, trinity consisting of God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit who is the one and only true God” “may be perfect” which means “fitted, complete and having special aptitude for given uses”. In other words, the Holy and God inspired scriptures “equip” a person completely and give them a capacity to fulfill whatever assignment is put before them.

The verse goes on to say, “... throughly furnished unto all good works.” Paul continued, “thoroughly furnished” or “completely finished and accomplished” “unto all” which means “each, every, any, the whole and everyone” “good” or “useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent and distinguished” “works” which means “business, employment, that which one occupies, undertakes, does or acts upon”. When we are equipped with the ideas within the holy scriptures, we are ready in spirit to take on every useful and pleasant employment which comes our way.

While we meditate upon Paul's words, let us allow ourselves to examine the impact of the word of God on everything we do. Do we allow the Spirit of God to guide us through His scriptures to work in a manner that is pleasing to Him? Does the effect of our daily reading and studying of the Bible manifest itself in our activities and responsibilities? When we apply God's word to our lives, nothing we do will be will be without the influence of the thoughts of God, and when His “doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness” drives our lives, others are bound to notice the Spirit of God living within us. May the Lord Jesus continue to put a desire within us to read, study and apply the “holy scriptures”, and as we do may others realize we are people who have been with God.

Next time we begin the final chapter of this letter and see Paul begin to give Timothy a “charge”, 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.