No passage in the New Testament speaks as clearly of the nature and work of the Word of God in salvation and sanctification, than 2 Timothy 3:15-17. In these verses, the spiritually transforming power of the Word of God is spelled out. Verse 15 introduces the fact that the Scriptures "are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Verses 16-17 then deal with the sanctifying power of the Scriptures.
Before we continue, we must understand the nature of Scripture—what Scripture is. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (v. 16a) is the key phrase. The Greek word translated "inspiration of God" comes from a compound word that combines the word "God" with the word "breath, wind, or spirit." It means that Scripture was given by God's Spirit, or more directly by God's breath. Literally, it was "breathed out by God," or simply, "God-breathed." Scripture came directly from God when "holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit"(2 Peter 1:21).
At times God 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 Word more often flowed through the hearts and minds of those He chose to accurately convey His truth without error. The bottom line is that all Scripture is “God-breathed.” It is God’s inspired Word, without error in the original autographs. It is intended to make us like Jesus.
In addition to leading us to salvation, the Word provides divine instruction or doctrine. The precise words are that it is "profitable for teaching" (v. 16a). "Profitable" means it is both beneficial and productive, as well as sufficient in meeting your needs.
God told Joshua, "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success" (Joshua 1:8). This affirms the absolute sufficiency of Scripture to meet all the spiritual needs of God's people.
So, we are to adhere to the "teaching" of Scripture. This has to do with content. It has to do with divine instruction, or doctrine, given to believers through God's Word. We are to know that instruction, or doctrine, and live by it. Titus 1:9 tells the elders that they are to be "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." The instruction of Scripture, the doctrine, shows us the way in which we are to live.
Scripture is also "profitable…for reproof" (v. 16b). The "teaching" of Scripture, the instruction or doctrine, helps us walk the narrow way of righteousness. It heads us in the right direction of becoming like Jesus. But sometimes we walk away from that path like sheep that have gone astray. We fall back into our old sinful ways and quit living by the Word as we should. When this happens, the Scripture brings "reproof."
"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 us with accurate knowledge and understanding of divine truth that exposes falsehood and sin.
The Word rebukes sin and false belief. As a doctor diagnoses a disease, so Scripture pin-points the problem of sin in our lives. When you know the Word, various Scriptures will come to mind and will confront your sin. It will rebuke the sin in your life and call you back to Jesus.
The writer of Hebrews speaks of the Bible as a divine sword that cuts both ways and exposes sin in your life. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Heb. 4:12-13).
Scripture penetrates our heart and soul, and both exposes and rebukes our sin. It leads us to repentance and turns us back toward God when we have gone astray. That is another reason why it is so important to know the Word; to read it, study it, meditate on it, and memorize it.
Scripture is "profitable…for correction" (v. 16c). This is the only occurrence of this Greek word for "correction." It refers to restoring something to its original condition or its proper shape. It is the idea of restoring something to its right state. After exposing and condemning sin and false belief in believers, Scripture then builds them up through its divine "correction."
When you accept Scripture’s reproof and repent of your sin, "correction" is Scripture's positive provision. When you leave the narrow way and stray from living by the Word, "reproof" is how Scripture stops you from following the wrong path and "correction" is how Scripture sets your feet back on the right path. Through confession and repentance you are restored to a right and proper state, a life of righteousness. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Scripture is also "profitable…for training in righteousness" (v. 16d). "Training" originally referred to bringing up and training a child, but it came to be used of any sort of "training." It also is the idea of "correcting" and "discipline." In the context of verses 16-17, it clearly refers to "training" in the broader and 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."
As with teaching, reproof, and correction, those who are godly—especially leaders in the church—are instruments through which Scripture provides "training" for God's people. That is why gathering together at church to worship and pray and study God’s Word is so important. It is here that we fulfill God’s directive "to stimulate one another to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24)—to build each other up in Christ.
The teaching of the Word puts us on the path of righteousness. The reproof and the correction we receive from the Word stops us from wondering too far from that path and puts us back on that path of righteousness. Then the training of the Word keeps us on the straight and narrow path of righteousness. But in order for that to work, you must know the Word.
The purpose is "that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (v. 17). God’s Word makes you adequate. God’s Word equips you to live a life of righteousness like Christ, a life filled with the good works "which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).
Do you see how important it is to know the Word—to learn it well and to live by it every day? By way of application: read the Word, study the Word, meditate on the Word, and memorize the Word. Make it a part of you. Know it well. When you know the Word well, no matter what hardships or temptations arise, you will recall it when the time is right and you will be prepared to win the spiritual battle. Amen.
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