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NASB | 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God's will, both publicly and privately--behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; |
Bible Question:
Hello all, I was wondering how and why the church at large has decided to use this scripture to apply to the whole of the Bible. And a larger question then arises, how can we be sure that the Bible we hold today is truly God's inspired word. I'm asking as a Christian man struggling with the validity of the book I have come to hold so dear. Thanks so much, -joe |
Bible Answer: Surely, you are correct in understanding that the passage in 2 Timothy 3 refers to the writings of the Old Testament. Today, we accept the writings of the New Testament as Scripture also, but that was not the part to which Paul was making reference. It is perhaps good that we stay with the simple purpose and meaning of the passage we read, and not try to make it say more than it was intended to say. Paul was making a terrific point in that part of his letter to Timothy, and we should not miss it. The Scriptures (whether Old or New Testament, or both) are given to us for a purpose. They are given to bolster and support our faith in God. Such faith may have been born from our observation of nature. It may have been nurtured by the stirrings of our conscience. But it is strengthened and supported by the word of God. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4). It was the Old Testament Scriptures that Paul was referring to when he wrote to the Romans as well, and he was pointing out that they provide us with comfort and hope. The point there was that we should not live to please ourselves but, in spite of temptations to the contrary, we should seek to please one another and edify one another. It is not the type of pleasing that “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, ‘The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me’” (Psalm 69:9). So now, “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord” (Matthew 10:25). You will have noticed, of course, that the New Testament and the Old Testament say the same thing. That which was prophesied in the Old was manifested in the New. But even when it was first spoken, in the Old, it was forever settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). We need to remember that. And we need to remember the specifics of the word that was spoken. Most of the doctrines we need for our daily lives are given in the New Testament. But they are illustrated in the Old Testament, and in the lives of the saints who lived in those times. For example, the New Testament tells us we need to exercise patience. “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5). But it is the Old Testament that shows us how it is done. “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience” (v 10). “You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy”. The Lord was that to Job and he will be to us. He is the same The Old Testament illustrates the need for prayer, and the efficacy of prayer. For example, “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months (James 5). And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. It is an encouragement to pray for our brother, even when he strays. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins”. Again, it is an encouragement to pray for each other (James 5:16). There is comfort in knowing that God answered the prayer of Elias, and he will answer ours. 2 Timothy 3 is not referring to the New Testament. It refers to the value and power of the Old Testament. We are in perilous times (v.1), just as the saints of old went through perilous times (Hebrews 11:35ff.) It is by looking at that “great cloud of witnesses” that we have encouragement. The New Testament is Scripture as well, and we do have examples in it, including the life of Paul (his doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions …). It is authorized in advance by our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 2:3,4; 1 John 1, etc.), just as the Old was empowered by his quoting of it (Matthew 4:4; Luke 24:27, etc.). There is ample proof that the New Testament is the word of God, but that is not what Paul was referencing in 2 Timothy 3:16. There he was referring to the Old Testament. But the New Testament was also written as holy men of God were moved by the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19, Mark 1:1,2; Luke 1:2; John 15:27; John 16:13; John 21:24; Acts 26:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 3:7; Hebrews 10:15; 2 Peter 3:15; Revelation 1:10,11, etc.). |