KBM Inspirded Word

Today, we continue our series of lessons on Impact 3:16 by looking at 2 Timothy 3:16. This powerful passages holds with it so much important truth that one could have a whole series just on this verse and the following one. We will not be doing such but I do recommend such a study in your personal studies. The second inspired and preserved letter Paul wrote to Timothy titled 2 Timothy is a continuation of the first. Paul had sent Timothy to Ephesus to help the church there with those Judaizing teachers. In the process these two letters teach and train a preacher in his duties as a local preacher for a congregation. In 2 Timothy 3 we see that Paul is warning Timothy that there are going to times that will be coming that will see the hearts of men and women seeking false teachers that oppose the truth (2 Timothy 3:1-9).

Paul then continues by praising Timothy and those like him who follow the teachings, conduct, aim in life, faith, love, steadfastness, persecutions, sufferings, and the like of those that are faithful and true to God. Who understand that living a godly life will not keep one from persecution but guarantee it (2 Timothy 3:10-12).

And even though those around them are going from “bod to worse” if we continue in what we have learned from God and the faithful ones we know, and stand firm in that we will be “wise for salvation” instead of finding ourselves deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13-15). This brings us to our text, let’s read 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The word “inspiration” is a compound Greek word. The two words that make the one are “theos or God” and “pneo or breathe.” Thus, the word inspiration here literally means breathed out by God. The apostle Paul described how this worked in 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 wherein he states clearly, “these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:10). Now why did God give us his “breathed out” or “inspired word?”

Two reasons are given here.

First, to give us what is “profitable” to mankind’s soul such as doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

Second, to make Christians “thoroughly equipped for that which we were created for “good works” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

God gave us his mind in written form through inspiring men to write what he told them to write.

Why can we trust the bible, because God himself had it written, made sure it was perfect, authorized its used, all for us to spend an eternity with him.