The God-Inspired Word

Paul told Timothy, "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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). 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. Scripture came directly from God when "holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21).

God told Jeremiah: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth" (Jer. 1:9). God gave Jeremiah the words to speak and write. The words came from God. It is the  same with all the writers of Scripture. God may have at times spoken the Word directly with writers writing them down much like taking dictation, but more times than not, God simply laid the words on their hearts and minds. 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 doctrine" (2 Tim. 3:16a) or "teaching" (NASB). "Profitable" carries the idea of "profit" or "advantage" (W.E. Vine, M.A., Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Unabridged Edition, [MacDonald Publishing Company: McLean, Virginia, no copyright], 36). It means specifically to be "useful" (Ibid, 901). So the word of God is profitable or useful for teaching doctrine. It is then up to us to adhere to that doctrine and to live by that teaching of Scripture. It is up to us to study the Word carefully to learn its doctrine or teaching, and then apply that instruction in our everyday lives.

Scripture is "profitable… for reproof" (2 Tim. 3:16b). 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" means "to convict" or "rebuke" (Ibid, 965). The Word rebukes sin and false belief. Scripture pinpoints 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. 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” (2 Tim. 3:16c). This is the only occurrence of this Greek word for “correction.” It literally means “a restoration to an upright or right state” (Ibid, 243). It is the idea of restoring something to its proper shape. The thought has to do with correction. Scripture corrects us of our wrongdoing or our straying off the narrow road, and puts us back on the right path.

When you accept Scripture's reproof and repent of your sin, Scripture then corrects your walk. 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.

Scripture is also "profitable… for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16d) or "training in righteousness" (NASB). This refers to training a child or giving children instruction, "suggesting the broad idea of education" (Ibid, 185). The inspired word of God gives us instruction in living a life of righteousness, or a life that is holy. It trains us to walk with Jesus in the power of the Spirit.

The teaching of the Word puts us on the path of righteousness. The reproof and 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 instruction 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 complete, thoroughly 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 that we should 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.