Author: drthomasclothier

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)

“Is the ultimate, unquestionable authority for the church found in the Apostolic words of sacred Scripture or in the body of teachers who currently serve as overseers of God’s flock? That was the issue debated in the sixteenth century, at which time the Reformers determined that Scripture alone is the ultimate, authoritative revelation of God; the church does not have authority on an equal footing with Scripture,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.  

The phrase “All Scripture is breathed out by God” is one of the most important affirmations in the New Testament (NT) of the doctrine of verbal, plenary, divine inspiration. The Bible was breathed out by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, God is ultimate author and source of Scripture, not the church. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is the inerrant Word of God.

Because the Bible is the Word of God, the Apostle Paul explained the Scriptures are therefore profitable. The word profitable (ὠφέλιμος; ophelimos) means beneficial, useful and advantageous. Therefore, all God-breathed Scripture is beneficial, valuable, and useful for the believer. How does Scripture alone benefit the disciple of Jesus Christ?

Today’s text states Scripture, because God is its author, is therefore profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. An examination of these qualities would be wise.

First, Scripture is profitable for doctrine! Doctrine (διδασκαλία; didaskalia), doctrine means teaching and instruction. It is the content God teaches and what the disciple learns. Scripture is valuable in being the source of God’s written revelation.

Second, Scripture is profitable for reproof!  Reproof (ἐλεγμόν; elegmon) means to rebuke, refute, or reject. Within the context, Scripture is profitable for rebuking people of sin. Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” In Psalm 119:9 we read, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” On pastor explains, “The Scripture contains both encouragement and warning, and this double aspect is always present”

Third, Scripture is profitable for correction! Correction ((ἐπανόρθωσις; epanorthōsis) means to restore to an upright or right state. It means to improve one’s life and character. Not only does Scripture provide valuable positive and negative instruction, but it also provides guidance regarding ethical behavior.

Fourth, Scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness! The phrase instruction in righteousness (παιδεία δικαιοσύνη; paideia dikaiosynē) means to train, to bring under the commands and admonitions of God’s Word. This instruction is specifically concerned with righteousness, indicating a life of integrity, virtue, purity, and rightness before God.

American theologian Jonathan Edwards writes, “How thankful we should be to God. Hence, we may learn that all the Scripture says to us is certainly true. God knows… God cannot lie… God is very angry for sin. About another world. There is another world. Good men die. About Hell. The Scripture says there is a furnace of fire. God will not hear. No rest. Many are ready to think that it may be there is none. About Heaven. about the Day of Judgment: rise again. About the sorrowful, miserable condition man is in. About the way of salvation. Christ is the Son of God. No other Savior. He will save all that come to him. About the mystery of being ‘born again.’ Some are ready to say in their hearts there is no such thing. What we must be in order to go to Heaven —Therefore let all men that are not ‘born again’ consider these things. All these are not seeking their salvation.”

“Consider how much it is worth the while to go often to your Bible to hear the great God Himself speak to you. There you may hear Christ speak. How much better must we think this is than the word of men. Better than the word of the wisest man of the world. How much wiser is God than man. Here all is true; nothing false. Here all is wise; nothing foolish. This is the GREAT LIGHT God has given to the world. To make use of this is the way to walk in the Light… to have our souls filled with Light. If we neglect this we shall walk in darkness. We should value this more than the light of the sun. We see the light of the sun does a great deal of good… gives light… pleasant to see… ’tis comfortable… it gives life.”

“So, Scripture gives light… gives life. Should hear the Word: come to meeting. ’Tis the way to have God’s mercy, to seek God in His Word. There we may expect to meet with God. God will respect His own Word for the good of men: what great good has been done. God has often made it a means of great good. Conversion of many souls. Great joy of many. Many have been comforted in affliction… in death. This will be the way to be wise with the most excellent wisdom,” concludes Edwards.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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)

¹⁶ “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”  (Romans 1:16–17 (ESV)

ONE HAMMER in the hand of an obscure Augustinian monk changed the world forever. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany calling his fellow professors to examine issues of supreme theological importance. Thus began the Reformation through which the light of God’s Word was brought out of the darkness to shine with clarity once more.

One of the central cries of the Protestant Reformation was this: “The just shall live by faith.” Luther’s development of the doctrine of justification by faith alone recovered the gospel that had been hidden during the Middle Ages.

And at the center of that gospel is the affirmation that the righteousness by which we are declared just before a holy God is not our own. It’s a foreign righteousness, an alien righteousness, a righteousness that Luther said is extra nos—apart from us. Namely, it’s the righteousness of Jesus Christ—that righteousness that’s imputed or counted for all who put their trust in Him.

Because of that affirmation Luther was involved in serious controversies—controversies that culminated in his being brought to trial before the princes of the church and even before the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles the V. And there at the Diet of Worms, summoned in Germany, Luther was called upon to recant his views. He answered his interlocutors by saying, “Revoco? You want me to say revoco? That I recant? I will not recant unless I am convinced by sacred Scripture or by evident reason. I cannot recant for my conscience is held captive by the Word of God. And to act against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.”

In every generation the gospel must be published anew with the same boldness, and the same clarity, and the same urgency that came forth in the 16th century Reformation. The church has always done this in both the spoken word and in song—producing hymns that tell us of the great salvation that has been wrought by God alone through Christ alone.” — Dr. R. C. Sproul

Have a blessed Reformation Day.

Soli deo Gloria!

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)

In 2 Timothy 3:16a, the Apostle Paul writes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God.” All Scripture (πᾶσα γραφὴ; pasa graphe) means the whole content of God’s Word. Scripture refers to the holy writings.

Notice the universal positive statement by the apostle. There are no exceptions regarding a particular group of writings which are identified as being Scripture. Therefore, the Bible does not become the Word of God, neither is there only a portion of the Bible identified as God’s Word, but rather God declares all Scripture to be His inspired Word.

Scripture means writing. The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia explains, “The term “scripture” is derived from the Latin “scriptura”. Almost invariably this word occurs with the definite article “the” indicating the authoritative written matter of the Bible itself.”

Paul used the Greek word graphe. Within this context, it refers to the Old Testament.  However, as the canon of Scripture was completed, it also came to refer to this passage, along with the entire New Testament. The crucial factor in this text is the usage of the word “all.” The clearest understanding is God inspired all and every separate part of Scripture.

The phrase “breathed out by God” is a single word in the Greek; (θεόπνευστος / theospneustos). It literally means divinely inspired.

Dr. William Hendriksen explains, “The word God-breathed, occurring only here indicates that “all scripture” owes its origin and contents to the divine breath, the Spirit of God. The human authors were powerfully guided and directed by the Holy Spirit. As a result, what they wrote is not only without error but of supreme value for man. It is all that God wanted it to be. It constitutes the infallible rule of faith and practice for mankind.”

“The Spirit, however, did not suppress the personality of the human writer, but raised it to a higher level of activity (John 14:26). And because the individuality of the human author was not destroyed, we find in the Bible a wide variety of style and language. Inspiration, in other words, is organic, not mechanical.”

Dr. Charles Ryrie defines biblical inspiration as “God’s superintendence of the human authors so that, using their own individual personalities, they composed and recorded without error His revelation to man in the words of the original autographs.”

Dr. Warren Wiersbe writes, “The Holy Spirit of God used men of God to write the Word of God (2 Peter 1:20–21). The Spirit did not erase the natural characteristics of the writers. In fact, God in His providence prepared the writers for the task of writing the Scriptures. Each writer has his own distinctive style and vocabulary. Each book of the Bible grew out of a special set of circumstances. In His preparation of men, in His guiding of history, and in His working through the Spirit, God brought about the miracle of the Scriptures.”

Dr. John MacArthur explains, “It is important to note that inspiration applies only to the original autographs of Scripture, not the Bible writers; there are no inspired Scripture writers, only inspired Scripture.  So identified is God with His Word that when Scripture speaks, God speaks (Romans 9:17; Galatians 3:8). Scripture is called “the oracles of God” (Romans 3:2; I Peter 4:11) and cannot be altered (John 10:35; Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 6:17; Revelation 22:18-19).”  

Dr. R. C. Sproul states, “Paul is saying that Scripture is “expired” or “breathed out” by God. This is not a mere quibble. It is obvious that for inspiration to take place there must first be expiration. A breathing out must precede a breathing in. The point is that the work of divine inspiration is accomplished by divine expiration. Since Paul says that Scripture is breathed out by God, Scripture’s origin or source must be God himself.”

Scripture alone is the believer’s final authority.  The church must remain committed to this truth. Why is a commitment to Sola Scriptura so necessary? What benefit does a commitment to Sola Scriptura present to the church? This is what we will examine in the days to come.

More to come. May all true believers in Christ remain committed to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.

Soli deo Gloria!

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)

For the next several days we will be examining the theological doctrine known as Sola Scriptura. What exactly do theologians mean when using this term?

The term Sola Scriptura was initially used by the 16^th Century Protestant Reformers. It means the inerrant Scriptures, the 66 books of the Bible, are the sole source of written divine revelation from God, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for the sinners’ salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior is evaluated. Therefore, no creed, council or individual may bind a Christian’s conscience. Additionally, the Holy Spirit will never speak independently, or contrary to, what is set forth in the Bible, and personal spiritual experience can never be a vehicle of revelation.

God clearly communicates His Word is the final authority in all matters. It is not to be tampered with in any way. Biblical texts declaring this include the following:

• Exodus 34:27 – “Then the LORD said to Moses, Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 
• Deuteronomy 4:1-2 – “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
• Deuteronomy 6:1-9. In vs. 4-9 it states: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ^You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”   
• Deuteronomy 12:32 – “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
• Deuteronomy 32:1-4 – “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and hear O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, as raindrops on the tender herb, and as showers on the grass. For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.”
• Joshua 1:1-9 – “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant saying: Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people to the land which I am giving to them – the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
• Psalm 12:6 – “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O LORD; You shall preserve them from this generation forever.”
• Proverbs 30:5-6 – “Every word of God is pure; He is shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
• Revelation 22:18-19 – “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

More to come. May all true believers in Christ remain committed to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.

Soli deo Gloria!

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)

For the next several days we will be examining the theological doctrine known as Sola Scriptura. What exactly do theologians mean when using this term?

The term Sola Scriptura was initially used by the 16^th Century Protestant Reformers. It means the inerrant Scriptures, the 66 books of the Bible, are the sole source of written divine revelation from God, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for the sinners’ salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior is evaluated. Therefore, no creed, council or individual may bind a Christian’s conscience. Additionally, the Holy Spirit will never speak independently, or contrary to, what is set forth in the Bible, and personal spiritual experience can never be a vehicle of revelation.

Sola Scriptura is fundamentally opposed to relativistic individualism.  In a culture wherein the individual reigns supreme, and churches pander to “keep the customer satisfied,” the doctrine of Sola Scriptura states all individual ideas and behaviors must be in submission to, and aligned with, Scripture. This opposes those in the church, and the culture, who justify their sinful behavior, and consequently their disobedience to Scripture, with a self-centered perspective wherein the individual’s desires are preeminent.

The inherent problem with relativistic individualism in the church, especially as it pertains to Scripture, is the final authority does not rest with the Word of God but rather with the individual. This mean every doctrine and practice is evaluated by a final standard, which is the individual’s personal judgment of what is, and is not, biblical. The result is subjectivism and relativism. As one author writes, “The reformers appeal to ‘Scripture alone,’ however, was never intended to mean me alone.”

Dr. Keith Mathison, professor of systematic theology at Reformation Bible College, explains:

“In America during the eighteenth century, this individualistic view of the radical Reformation was combined with the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the populism of the new democracy to create a radical version (of authority) that has all but supplanted the Reformation doctrine of Sola Scriptura. This new doctrine, which may be termed “Solo Scriptura” instead of Sola Scriptura, attacks the rightful subordinate authority of the church and the ecumenical creeds of the church.”

Ethan Harris, in reviewing Dr. Mathison’s book The Shape of Sola Scriptura, states:

“Sola Scriptura, as defined by Scripture, is not a rejection of tradition or of the subordinate authority of the church. It is a rejection of relativistic individualism, the two-source view of revelation, and other views that are not founded on Scripture or are a distortion of the Biblical formula of interpretation and authority.”

Martin Luther held tenaciously to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. Here is but a sampling of his perspectives on the subject from the book What Luther Says.

• “The Holy Spirit Himself and God, the Creator of all things, is the Author of this book” (1:62).
• “Scripture, although also written of men, is not of men nor from men, but from God” (1:63).
• “He who would not read these stories in vain must firmly hold that Holy Scripture is not human but divine wisdom” (1:67).
• “The Word must stand, for God cannot lie; and heaven and earth must go to ruins before the most insignificant letter or tittle of His Word remains unfulfilled” (1:68).
• “We intend to glory in nothing but Holy Scripture, and we are certain that the Holy Spirit cannot oppose or contradict Himself” (1:72).

John Calvin strongly emphasized the importance of a commitment to Sola Scriptura.  In the Institutes of the Christian Religion, he wrote:

“If true religion is to beam upon us, our principle must be, that it is necessary to begin with heavenly teaching, and that it is impossible for any man to obtain even the minutest portion of right and sound doctrine without being a disciple of Scripture. Hence, the first step in true knowledge is taken when we reverently embrace the testimony which God has been pleased therein to give of himself.”

More to come. May all true believers in Christ remain committed to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.

Soli deo Gloria!

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)

For the next several days we will be examining the theological doctrine known as Sola Scriptura. What exactly do theologians mean when using this term?

The term Sola Scriptura was initially used by the 16^th Century Protestant Reformers. It means the inerrant Scriptures, the 66 books of the Bible, are the sole source of written divine revelation from God, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for the sinner’s salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior is evaluated. Therefore, no creed, council or individual may bind a Christian’s conscience. Additionally, the Holy Spirit will never speak independently, or contrary to, what is set forth in the Bible, and personal spiritual experience can never be a vehicle of revelation.

Sola Scriptura means Scripture alone is the believer’s preeminent authority.  It is the final influence by which the Christian’s conscience is bound.  It is the believer’s understanding and commitment that anything besides Scripture including feelings, passions, church traditions and teachings, along with personal convictions are secondary to God’s Word being the ultimate authority within the believer’s life.  

Dr. Michael Horton writes, “Scripture not only has the final say, but it is the formal principle of everything we believe about doctrine and conduct.”

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey explains that “the Protestant position is that all things necessary for salvation and concerning faith and life are taught in the Bible clearly enough for the ordinary believer to find it there and understand.”

Dr. John MacArthur adds, “Sola Scriptura simply means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture.”

The Westminster Confession of Faith of 1646 states that:

“The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore, it is to be received, because it is the Word of God. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to a high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture. And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it does abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.”

There were two causes for the 16^th Century Protestant Reformation: a material cause and a formal cause. The material cause was a dispute over the doctrine of justification by faith alone (Sola Fide). The formal cause was the disagreement over biblical authority (Sola Scriptura). The Reformers coined this phrase, Sola Scriptura, but certainly not this doctrine, when they rejected the two-source view of authority; meaning the authority of church tradition is equal to the authority of the Scriptures.  In his book What is Reformed Theology Dr. R. C. Sproul writes:

“Roman Catholics taught (and teach) that there are two sources of infallible special revelation, Scripture and tradition. Since they attributed this authority (Scripture) to the tradition of the church, they did not permit any person to interpret the Bible in a way that was contrary to this tradition. This is precisely what (Martin) Luther did, leading to his excommunication and the condemnation of this doctrine. The Reformers insisted there is only one written source of special revelation, the Bible. This is the sola of sola Scriptura. The chief reason for the word alone is the conviction that the Bible is inspired by God, while church creeds and pronouncements are the works of men. These lesser works may be accurate and brilliantly conceived, capturing the best insights of learned scholars; but they are not the inspired Word of God.”

God has established many institutions of authority. These include government (Romans 13), family (Ephesians 6:1-2), employers (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-25; I Timothy 6:1-2), and the church (Matthew 18:15-20; I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Hebrews 13:7,17; I Peter 5:1-4). However, all of these authoritative structures are to be subordinate to the foundational authority of Scripture.  

The two-source tradition of authority arose in the sixth century through the writings of Basil and Augustine. It further entrenched itself in the twelfth century, and later still in the fourteenth century with the writings of William of Ockham. From the fourteenth century onward, two opposing views developed in the church: either Scripture alone is the preeminent authority which the church interprets or the church is a second source of authority supplementing biblical revelation. In the Protestant Reformation, we witness the Reformers embracing the former and the Catholic Church then, and later at the Council of Trent, committed to the latter.

In the Institutes of the Chistian Religion, John Calvin writes:

“Nothing therefore can be more absurd than the fiction that the power of judging Scripture is in the Church and that on her nod its certainty depends. When the church receives it and gives it the stamp of her authority, she does not make that authentic which was otherwise doubtful or controverted but, acknowledging it as the truth of God, she, as in duty bounds shows her reverence by an unhesitating assent.”

More to come. May all true believers in Christ remain committed to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.

Soli deo Gloria!

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)

Today’s essay contains thoughts from Scripture, and by various theologians and pastors, concerning the authority of Scripture.

“The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.” – Dr. Wayne Grudem

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17–20 (ESV)

“Unless I am convinced by the testimonies of the Holy Scriptures or evident reason (for I believe in neither the Pope nor councils alone, since it has been established that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures that I have adduced, and my conscience has been taken captive by the Word of God; and I am neither able nor willing to recant, since it is neither safe nor right to act against conscience. God help me. Amen.” — Martin Luther

“We all therefore have to face this ultimate and final question: Do we accept the Bible as the Word of God, as the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice, or do we not? Is the whole of my thinking governed by Scripture, or do I come with my reason and pick and choose out of Scripture and sit in judgment upon it, putting myself and modern knowledge forward as the ultimate standard and authority? The issue is crystal clear. Do I accept Scripture as a revelation from God, or do I trust to speculation, human knowledge, human learning, human understanding and human reasons Or, putting it still more simply, Do I pin my faith to, and subject all my thinking to, what I read in the Bible? Or do I defer to modern knowledge, to modern learning, to what people think today, to what we know at this present time which was not known in the past? It is inevitable that we occupy one or the other of those two positions.” – Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

“The authority of Scripture is a key issue for the Christian church in this and every age. Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are called to show the reality of their discipleship by humbly and faithfully obeying God’s written Word. To stray from Scripture in faith or conduct is disloyalty to our Master. Recognition of the total truth and trustworthiness of Holy Scripture is essential to a full grasp and adequate confession of its authority.” – Dr. James Montgomery Boice, Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy

“The Christian principle of biblical authority means, on the one hand, that God purposes to direct the belief and behavior of his people through the revealed truth set forth in Holy Scripture; on the other hand, it means that all our ideas about God should be measured, tested, and where necessary corrected and enlarged, by reference to biblical teaching. Authority as such is the right, claim, fitness, and by extension power, to control. Authority in Christianity belongs to God the Creator, who made us to know, love, and serve him, and his way of exercising his authority over us is by means of the truth and wisdom of his written Word. As from the human standpoint each biblical book was written to induce more consistent and wholehearted service of God, so from the divine standpoint the entire Bible has this purpose. And since the Father has now given the Son executive authority to rule the cosmos on his behalf (Matt. 28:18), Scripture now functions precisely as the instrument of Christ’s lordship over his followers.” – Dr. J.I. Packer  

“The veracity and authority of Scripture is basic to the Christian faith, but it is not a “given” in the modern world. Not only is it directly attacked by skeptics inside and outside of the church, it is undermined by claims of authority for other alleged “holy books” such as the Qur’an and the Book of Mormon. In our skeptical and multicultural world, it is necessary for Christians to draw a line in the sand when the authority of Scripture is challenged.” – Dr. John MacArthur

“Is the ultimate, unquestionable authority for the church found in the Apostolic words of sacred Scripture or in the body of teachers who currently serve as overseers of God’s flock? That was the issue debated in the sixteenth century, at which time the Reformers determined that Scripture alone is the ultimate, authoritative revelation of God; the church does not have authority on an equal footing with Scripture.”  — Dr. R. C. Sproul

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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)

The following essay originally appeared in the December 9, 2009 issue of Tabletalk Magazine. It is entitled The Inspiration of Scripture.

“The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined…and in whose sentence we are to rest; can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture,” says the Westminster Confession of Faith (1.10). One of the many biblical passages that support this statement is our passage for today’s study, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, where we read that the Scriptures are “breathed out by God.”

Scripture finds its origin in the mind and character of the Creator so much so that His very words have been “breathed out” for all to hear. When we breathe out in our speech we speak audibly, and when the Lord God Almighty breathed out in speech long ago, His Word was written down by the apostles and prophets.

Some have said that Scripture contains the Word of God, becomes the Word of God, or is a witness to the Word of God, but as orthodox scholars like B.B. War eld have shown throughout history, none of these conceptions do justice to the concept of inspiration taught in 2 Timothy 3:16. The Holy Spirit so superintended the writers of the Bible that the words they produced are the words of each particular author and at the same time the exact words of God Himself, with all the authority His speech carries.

This is why Jesus can say “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35) and why Paul can exhort Timothy to continue in the Word of God that He has heard and to use it to correct and edify other believers (2 Tim. 4:1–2). This is why Scripture is the final authority for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, and it is why Scripture is necessary to make us competent for every good work (3:16–17).

Paul’s statement is applicable not only to the Old Testament — even though some argue that the apostle only has the old covenant writings in mind here. Yet since the apostle never speaks about the Old Testament apart from the revelation of Jesus Christ, Paul’s conception of Scripture includes the gospel, which is proclaimed clearly in the new covenant writings. Therefore, the old and New Testaments together are the very breath of God, the only infallible and inerrant rule for faith and practice.

Coram Deo

Augustine comments that we can never let our failure to understand a specific biblical text make us think that somehow that text is uninspired. “When we are wrong because we haven’t understood it, we leave it in the right. When we have gone wrong, we don’t make out Scripture to be wrong, but it continues to stand up straight and right, so that we may return to it for correction” (ACCNT 9, p. 269). We do not judge the Word of God; it judges us.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it ¹⁵ and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV)

The following commentary on today’s featured text is by John Calvin.

But as for thee, continue in those things which thou hast learned. Although wickedness prevails, and pushes its way forward, he advises Timothy nevertheless to stand firm. And undoubtedly this is the actual trial of faith, when we offer unwearied resistance to all the contrivances of Satan, and do not alter our course for every wind that blows, but remain steadfast on the truth of God, as on a sure anchor.

Knowing from whom thou hast learned them. This is said for the purpose of commending the certainty of the doctrine; for, if anyone has been wrong instructed, he ought not to persevere in it. On the contrary, we ought to unlearn all that we have learned apart from Christ, if we wish to be his disciples. For example, it is the commencement of our pure instruction in the faith to reject and forget all the instruction of Popery. The Apostle therefore does not enjoin Timothy to defend indiscriminately the doctrine which has been delivered to him, but only that which he knows to be truth; by which he means, that he must make a selection. 

Besides, he does not claim this as a private individual, that what he has taught shall be reckoned to be a divine revelation; but he boldly asserts his own authority to Timothy, who, he was aware, knew that his fidelity and his calling had been proved. And if he was fully convinced that he had been taught by an Apostle of Christ, he concluded that therefore it was not a doctrine of man, but of Christ.

This passage teaches us, that we ought to be as careful to guard against obstinacy in matters that are uncertain, (such as all the doctrines of men are,) as to hold within unshaken firmness the truth of God. Besides, we learn from it, that faith ought to be accompanied by prudence, that it may distinguish between the word of God and the word of men, so that we may not adopt at random everything that is brought forward. Nothing is more inconsistent with the nature of faith than light credulity, which allows us to embrace everything indiscriminately, whatever it may be, and from whomsoever it proceeds; because it is the chief foundation of faith, to know that it has God for its author.

And which have been entrusted to thee. When he adds, that the doctrine had been entrusted to Timothy, this gives (αὔξησιν) additional force to the exhortation; for to “commit a thing in trust” is something more than merely to deliver it. Now Timothy had not been taught as one of the common people, but in order that he might faithfully deliver into the hands of others what he had received.

And that from (thy) childhood. This was also no ordinary addition, that he had been accustomed, from his infancy, to the reading of the Scripture; for this long habit may make a man much more strongly fortified against every kind of deception. It was therefore a judicious caution observed in ancient times, that those who were intended for the ministry of the word should be instructed, from their infancy, in the solid doctrine of godliness, that, when they came to the performance of their office, they might not be untried apprentices. And it ought to be reckoned a remarkable instance of the kindness of God, if any person, from his earliest years, has thus acquired a knowledge of the Scriptures.

Which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. It is a very high commendation of the Holy Scriptures, that we must not seek anywhere else the wisdom which is sufficient for salvation; as the next verse also expresses more fully. But he states, at the same time, what we ought to seek in the Scripture; for the false prophets also make use of it as a pretext; and therefore, in order that it may be useful to us for salvation, it is necessary to understand the right use of it.

Through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. What if anyone give his whole attention to curious questions? What if he adheres to the mere letter of the law, and do not seek Christ? What if he perverts the natural meaning by inventions that are foreign to it? For this reason, he directs us to the faith of Christ as the design, and therefore as the sum, of the Scriptures; for on faith depends also what immediately follows.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it ¹⁵ and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy concerning the reality of false teachers, especially within the church (2 Tim. 3:1-9). Paul also encouraged him to follow his apostolic example of teaching, conduct, aim in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, and the persecutions and sufferings he experienced.

Paul wanted Timothy to remember how the Lord rescued him and gave him endurance (vs. 10-11). Additionally, the apostle counseled his young protégé regarding all who desired to live a godly life would be persecuted and evil people and imposters would go from bad to worse deceiving and being deceived (vs. 12-13).

The apostle reminded Timothy of his biblical heritage. This legacy was lived before him by his grandmother and mother (2 Tim. 1:5). This culture of biblical instruction began in his childhood. Timothy was acquainted with the Scriptures.

The phrase to be acquainted with (οἶδας; oidas) is a perfect active indicative singular verb. It refers to a past completed action with continuing results. The action in Paul had in mind concerned Timothy’s knowledge of the sacred writings. Sacred writings (ἱερὰ γράμματα; hiera grammata) is a reference to the Old Testament Scriptures. They are the holy writings of the Law and the prophets.

“Among the Jews education was definitely God-centered as to principles, contents, and methods. The devout Israelite taught his children because Jehovah commanded him to do so. And he instructed them with respect to the verba et gesta Dei (words and deeds of God), as recorded in “the sacred writings.” This is evident throughout the Old Testament (Gen. 18:19; Ex. 10:2; 12:26, 27; 13:14–16; Deut. 4:9, 10; 6:7, 9; 11:19; 32:46; Is. 38:19; and many other passages; cf. also Josephus, Antiquities, IV. viii. 12).”^[1]

The sacred writing of the Old Testament Scriptures had a purpose in Timothy’s life since childhood. This fundamental purpose continues to this day. This is in spite of what some theologians and pastors refer to as the insignificance of the Old Testament in the contemporary church.

This purpose is contained in the phrase “which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” The Old Testament is able (δυνάμενά; dynamema) or capable. This is a present and personal ability from the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). This inherent, and inerrant, ability is to make an individual wise (σοφίσαι; sophisai) or understanding. Understanding of what? The Apostle Paul wrote for salvation (σωτηρίαν; soterian). This means deliverance from sin’s penalty, power and eventual presence by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

“Timothy’s mission is the mission of every Christian and it is really quite simple — to continue in what we have learned from the apostles and to keep on believing in their message (v. 14). Believers may not depart from the apostolic and prophetic Word into new and fanciful teachings but must rather study and proclaim the old, familiar story of Jesus and His love that is found on every page of Scripture,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

“Paul has in mind a faith based on Scripture is confirmed in 2 Timothy 3:15 when he writes about the “sacred writings,” or more literally, “holy letters.” This was a common way first-century Jews referred to the Bible, and this is how Timothy would have understood the phrase (remember that he was Jewish, Acts 16:1). These Scriptures are able to make us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus,” a helpful reminder that the Bible is not an end in itself but was given so that the creator God may be glorified and His creation restored.” 

“Continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of. . . the sacred writings” — the Word of God, the Bible. Don’t advance. Don’t go forward. Don’t proceed from this. Continue in this. Stay in this. Remain in this. This kind of conservatism will make you the most radical, counter-cultural, risk-taking, free people possible in Christ. If you leave the Word, you will, in the end, just conform to the world – to the spirit of this age. This may feel freeing for a moment. But it will make you the slave of every passing fashion – and they are passing faster and faster,” states Dr. John Piper.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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^[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 296.