All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Every scripture is given by the inspiration of God. In other words, scriptures are God-breathed. Although written by men in human language, they are not products of the natural mind. The writers were inspired by God.
In 2 Peter 1:20-21, the apostle Peter says, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”. The scriptures never came by human impulse; they are God-breathed. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers. They are not of any private origin; they have God as their source. The inspiration is divine.
1Peter 1:10-11 says, “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” The scriptures testify of Jesus; they have Jesus as their explanation, interpretation, and revelation.
Our theme text depicts what the scripture is set to accomplish in us. Let us take a closer look at the text:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2Timothy 3:16-17).
The scriptures are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. The word “reproof” will be the focus of our discourse here. The word “reproof” was translated from the Greek word “elegchos”, which simply means “proof or conviction”. It is translated as “evidence” in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen”. Evidence, proof, or conviction speak of the same thing. Therefore, the word “proof” is more appropriate than “reproof” used by the translators of the King James Version of the Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16.
The scriptures are for PROOF or EVIDENCE. For example, the scriptures give the evidence or proof that you have been saved by God: “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:8-10).
The word is your evidence; your feeling is not. You often might not feel like someone who is saved already; hence, your feelings are not proof and cannot be proof of your salvation. This is why we must pay close attention to the scriptures; they serve as evidence. We do not need to wait and see something before we believe it. We believe because the word says it. The scriptures are for convincing. This conviction produces stability in our lives and guarantees spiritual growth.
Confession
I pay close attention to the scriptures because the scriptures are profitable to me; they give evidence of all that has been accomplished in Christ for me. Glory to God!
