16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
Previously, we explained what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote “All Scripture.” Scripture (γραφὴ; graphe) refers to writing or to a written document. Within the context of the Bible, Scripture refers to the sacred writings of God’s written revelation or self-disclosure. In the immediate context of 2 Timothy, Paul referred to the Old Testament. In the overall context of the Old and New Testaments, Scripture refers to the entire Word of God or the entire biblical canon.
The phrase “All Scripture is breathed out by God.” The phase “breathed out by God” and “given by inspiration of God” is from one Greek word θεόπνευστος (theopneustos). This is compound adjective which modifies the noun Scripture. Theo refers to God. Pneustos is the Greek word for breath or spirit. Theologically, theopneustos established what is known as verbal, plenary inspiration. Verbal refers to Bible’s words. Plenary is the word meaning all. The concise meaning of this phrase is “All Words, God-breathed.”
This God centered origination of God’s Word makes it profitable. Profitable (ὠφέλιμος; ophelimos) means useful and beneficial. Aside from a list of resulting benefits the Apostle Paul listed in the latter portion of today’s text, the Scriptures are profitable in an of itself. By its very nature, as the revelation of God, it is useful and beneficial.
“Scripture is not merely a witness to the Word of God. Scripture does not simply contain the Word of God. Scripture needs nothing added to it to become the Word of God. No, Scripture is itself the Word of God, breathed out by Him and belonging to Him no less than our words are breathed out by us and belong to us,” explains Dr. R. c. Sproul.
“As the very breath of God, Scripture carries with it the full truth and authority of our Creator. It “cannot be broken” (John 10:35). What God gave the Apostles and prophets to write down cannot be viewed as anything other than fully true in all that it teaches, and it is incapable of leading people astray. This follows necessarily from the nature of God, who is holy and true (Isa. 6:1–3; Rom. 3:4). Because it is the Word of God, Scripture cannot fail to accomplish God’s will, for God is able to accomplish all His holy will. No purpose of His can be thwarted (Job 42:2).”
Aside from the profitable, and beneficial nature of God’s Word, there are several resulting and practical benefits. These include teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.
Teaching (διδασκαλίαν; didaskalian) means instruction, education, and doctrine. “The divine instruction or doctrinal content of both the OT and the NT (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 20:18, 20–21, 27; 1 Cor. 2:14–16; Col. 3:16; 1 John 2:20, 24, 27). The Scripture provides the comprehensive and complete body of divine truth necessary for life and godliness. Cf. Ps. 119:97–105,” states Dr. John MacArthur.
Reproof (ἐλεγμόν; elegmon) refers to conviction, discipline and refutation of error. “Rebuke for wrong behavior or wrong belief. The Scripture exposes sin (Heb. 4:12–13) that can then be dealt with through confession and repentance.”
Correction (ἐπανόρθωσιν; epanorthosin) means restoration and revival. “The restoration of something to its proper condition. The word appears only here in the NT, but was used in extrabiblical Greek of righting a fallen object, or helping back to their feet those who had stumbled. Scripture not only rebukes wrong behavior, but also points the way back to godly living. Cf. Ps. 119:9–11; John 15:1–2.”
Training ( παιδείαν; paideian) in righteousness (δικαιοσύνῃ; dikaiosyne) refers to honest and truthful discipline resulting in righteousness and godliness. “Scripture provides positive training (originally used in reference to training a child) in godly behavior, not merely rebuke and correction of wrong behavior (Acts 20:32; 1 Tim. 4:6; 1 Pet. 2:1–2),” concludes Dr. MacArthur.
John Calvin says, “It would be too long to explain what we are to learn from the Scriptures; and, in the preceding verse, he has given a brief summary of them under the word faith. The most valuable knowledge, therefore, is “faith in Christ.” Next follows instruction for regulating the life, to which are added the excitements of exhortations and reproofs. Thus, he who knows how to use the Scriptures properly, is in want of nothing for salvation, or for a Holy life. Reproof and correction differ little from each other, except that the latter proceeds from the former; for the beginning of repentance is the knowledge of our sinfulness, and a conviction of the judgment of God. Instruction in righteousness means the rule of a good and holy life.”
When next we meet, we’ll define other significant terms related to the Bible’s verbal, plenary inspiration. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 