Sunday, September 2, 2018 am
2 Timothy 3:16-17
a.
Again, believed to be
Paul’s final letter. It is
written to Timothy encouraging him to remain faithful and continue in
the things he has learned, even in the face of persecutions.
b.
All
(every) scripture – the word for
scripture is γραφή (graphē) and it is a common word for writings.
But in the New Testament (NKJV), the word is found some 51 times
and always translated Scripture(s).
And it is ALWAYS reference to the word of God (usually the Old
Testament) in the NT. X`
Romans 1:2 speaks of the “holy scriptures”, and 2 Peter 1:20 speaks of
prophecy of scripture.
Romans 15:4 notes that even the Old Law was written for our learning
that “we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
WHAT had been written up to this point (EVERY scripture) is to be
respected as God’s word.
2 Peter 3:16 warned that some twist the letters of Paul , as they do
also the rest of scripture (NOTE: This passage includes the epistles –
letters – of Paul in scripture).
c.
Is given by inspiration – the Greek word for inspiration here is θεόπνευστος
(theopneustos) which literally means “God breathed”.
The idea being that that writings addressed in this passage (and
in the NT) are the direct utterances of God.
In other words, what we have in scripture is God’s direct
message to us.
Coming from God, it is infallible – by infallible, I mean, it is
without error. It is EXACTLY
what God intends it to be.
Jesus in John 17:17 noted that “Your word is truth!”
2 Peter 1:20-21 – holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit, 1 Corinthians 14:37, Ephesians 3:3-5 – by revelation He made
known to me…understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ…revealed by
the Spirit to His Holy apostles and prophets…”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 – you
received it as truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in
you who believe.
Some might ask about the personalities and styles of the various
writings. We use this to
help us determine who wrote what letter.
Some contend that God only “inspired” ideas and they put it in
their own words. I am
convinced God had an even greater hand, and with the Holy Spirit guided
them to writer EXACLTY what He intended, while using their
personalities. Therefore, we
need to weigh every word (and not just the overall thought).
Consider 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 where Paul teaches, … not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the
Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of
men but in the power of God. Then
in vs. 13 we read, These things we
also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the
Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Revelation 19:9 summarizes this, “And he said to me, “these are the true
sayings of God.”
What makes scripture
important IS that it is God’s word to us!
Friends, IT IS CRUCIAL
that we accept the Bible as the word of God and what was written is
infallible! (We can address
the variants at another time).
To question this, is to question the validity and need for the
scriptures in our lives (which far too many are willing to do as they
reject it).
d.
Is profitable
– a word meaning useful or beneficial.
Friends, we MUST approach God’s word this this mindset.
Just as we must “rightly divide the word of truth”, we must see
her as profitable.
Consider this, ANYTHING that comes from the mind of God must be
profitable (in its true context).
a.
Teaching
(doctrine) – this is a common word for educating or imparting knowledge.
We use the word doctrine, to speak of a belief or set of beliefs
(whether personal, political or religious). But the actual word here is
a simple word for learning something.
In Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus he speaks of “sound doctrine” –
that is healthy teachings (1 Timothy 1:10, Titus 1:9, 2:1).
In this doctrine we are to show integrity (Titus 2:7) and adorn
“the doctrine of God” (Titus 2:10).
To follow what God would have us
to do, we need to learn it.
There are many crucial doctrines for us to study and understand
i.
We need to understand
that the Bible IS God’s word to us
ii.
We need to understand
who Jesus is – John 8:24, 2 John 9 – the doctrine of Christ
iii.
We need to understand
the gospel – 1 Corinthians 15:1-5ff.
iv.
Hebrews 6:1-2 speaks of
going on to perfection with an understanding (not laying again the
foundation…) of baptism (cf. Romans 6:17), laying on of hands,
resurrection and eternal judgment
v.
We need to understand
the importance of being part of His body (Ephesians 1:22-23)
vi.
We need to understand
what it means to live a pure and moral life
God’s word instructs us in all these matters.
Are we willing to study to learn?
2 Timothy 3:15 remember that from childhood, Timothy had known
“the scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation.”
b.
Reproof
– to rebuke, chastise, convict. Exposing
and convicting one of his error.
The root is found in Matthew 18:15 – “tell him his fault…”
John 3:20 – those practicing evil (darkness) hate the light, “lest
his deeds should be exposed”
John 8:46, “Which of you
convicts Me of sin?”
Ephesians 5:11, “Have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
expose them.”
1 Timothy 5:20 – said of sinning elders, “Rebuke
in the presence of them all”
2 Timothy 4:2 – Preach the word…
convince, rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering…
We need to LET the scriptures expose our errors (not mere emotional
appeals, or our personal opinions, etc.). Unless the word of God, “cuts
to the heart”, it will not be sustained (which is a problem with
emotional appeals).
HOW will we know whether or not we are in error unless we take the time
to look at the only true source of identifying that error.
Don’t let men’s standards tell you what is right and wrong!
And if a brother is kind enough to come to you and point it out,
weigh it by His standard and act accordingly.
c.
Correction
– to make straight, to make things right again.
The root (ορθος, orthos) is interesting translated “he spoke
plainly” (Mark 7:35), “you
have
rightly judged” (Luke
7:43), a woman “made straight” (Luke 13:13), Peter was not “straightforward about the
truth”, “set in order the things that are lacking” (Titus 1:5), “strengthen
hands which hang down and make
straight paths for your
free” (Hebrews 12:12-13) AND “rightly
dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
From all of these we can see the intent of this word.
Not only does God’s word rebuke us, it gives us the direction we
need to make necessary changes.
John 21:15-19, Jesus restored Peter with a series of questions.
God’s word tells us to repent and HOW to repent – cf. 2
Corinthians 7:10-11, Acts 8:22, etc.
In this I think of restoration – cf. Galatians 6:1-2 – restore
such a one in a spirit of gentleness
Psalm 119:9, How can a young man
cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
d.
Instruction in righteousness
– the idea of bringing up a child by teaching what is needed.
This is the word found in Hebrews 12:5-11 (4x –
chastening), and in
Ephesians 6:4, bring them up in the “training and admonition of the Lord.”
To be righteous is to be living a life conforming to God’s will, doing
the right thing. We are
called upon to be righteous – Ephesians 5:9 – a fruit of the Spirit,
Ephesians 4:24 – we put on the new man in true righteousness and
holiness, Ephesians 6:14 – we wear the breastplate of righteousness,
1 Timothy 6:11 – it is to be pursued, 1 John 2:29, 3:7, 10 – we are to
practice righteousness.
Hebrews 5:13 speaks of “the word of righteousness” which the babe is
unskilled in
God’s word gives us the directions we need to be righteous before Him.
This is what much of scripture is about.
One thought here – being righteous is not always an easy thing to do.
It requires DISCIPLINE and training, hence the word we have
noted. Hebrews 12:11 –
Now no
chastening seems to be joyful
for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the
peaceable fruit of righteousness
to those who have been trained by it.
a.
Making
us complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work – in God’s
word we have “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” (2 Peter
1:3)
We have what we need to “go on to perfection (Hebrews 6:1), and to reach
that point where we will never stumble (2 Peter 1:8-11).
We have what we need to KNOW that we have life (1 John 2:3,
3:19, 4:13, 5:13, etc.
May
we always respect God’s word for what it is – His word to us.
As we have seen in this lesson, His word truly is profitable
(useful and beneficial) to us.
In fact, it is the ONLY source we can turn to, to learn what we
must do to be saved and stay saved.
BUT, it will only be profitable if we are willing to study it and
rightly divide it. What are
you gleaning from the word of God?