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Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
God wants us to be prepared to do good works. Thankfully he gave us the Scriptures. Today we have the Bible translated into many different languages, dialects, and versions. Rather than a threat, this is a great blessing. But we must remember that the goal of Scripture is not to be learned but to be lived. God intended his Word to be practical truth — a gift that prepares us to do every good work.
My Prayer…
Holy God, it still amazes me that you chose to speak to us, your finite creatures, in our own words. May I never take for granted the great gift of being able to read your Word and learn your Truth. But Father, please give me the character and the courage to put it into practical use and let it train me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Bible References
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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
When Paul tells us that all Scripture is useful, he is speaking of the Old Testament for sure, but he is also referring to those portions of the New Testament that were already in existence when he was writing this. In 1 Timothy 5:18 he quotes the Gospel of Luke (10: 7) as Scripture. And Peter speaks of Paul’s epistles as Scriptures (2 Peter 3:16). Today we are justified in applying this verse to the entire Bible as Scripture.
I think it very important to point out that Bible commentaries and books about the Bible are NOT to be considered as God’s inspired Word. While there are many good and even godly authors today, they are writing their opinion of what God says and therefore may be wrong on certain issues. Our only absolute truth comes from the Bible alone.
This verse is definitely one of the most important verses in the Word of God on the subject of interpretation for it teaches that the Scriptures are God-breathed. They did not originate with man, God used man to pen them, but the words are straight from God Himself and therefore inspired and infallible! The writers of the Bible did not give their own private interpretation of things, but wrote the words that were given them by God.
God’s Word the Bible is useful in teaching….every single thing we need to know in life is in the Scriptures. God has told us how He wants us to think and act very clearly so that there is no misunderstanding on how to live a godly life through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Bible is useful for rebuking…it speaks to us directly concerning things in our life that are displeasing to God and for standing up against satan’s attacks.
It is useful for correcting and training in righteousness….it not only points out what is wrong but also how it can be made right before God. As we learn to obey Him we are being “trained in righteousness”, living godly lives before our Creator.
This is how we become fully equipped for every good work. Notice it says nothing about having to go to seminary to be equipped to do every good work. There of course is nothing wrong with going to seminary, in fact it is quite admirable for people to go to Bible colleges to get in depth study of God’s Word. But it is not required by God for doing so. All that mankind needs to learn on how to be godly in our everyday lives is in the Bible. God has not left us guessing on what pleases Him and what displeases Him. Our part is to read it and apply it to our lives through obedience to God every day!
Thank You Father God for you perfect Word. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sin and redeem me to You. Help me to obey Your Word in my life and bring honor and glory to You, I love You so and give You all praise this day, Amen!