Reading God’s word is part of my regular routine. It is where I find everything I need pertaining to life. Few passages make this clearer than a passage I spent some time in earlier this week.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Notice all Paul is communicating about Scripture. It is inspired by God. It is useful in all areas of our relationships and in it we have all we need.
Below are some of Thomas Constable’s notes on this passage. I find him a wonderful companion as I study Scripture. He helps clear my vision so that I understand and act upon what I learn. Hopefully his thoughts do the same for you today.
“Scripture is useful. Therefore, Timothy should use it in his ministry. It is profitable for teaching (causing others to understand God’s truth) and reproof (bringing conviction of error when there has been deviation from God’s truth). It is helpful for correction (bringing restoration to the truth when there has been error) and training in righteousness (child-training type guidance in the ways of right living that God’s truth reveals). This is a selective rather than an exhaustive list of the ways in which the Scriptures are useful.
They are profitable for doctrine (what is right), for reproof (what is not right), for correction (how to get right), and for instruction in righteousness (how to stay right).
Consequently, the man (or woman) of God has all that is essential to fulfill his (or her) ministry (cf. 2 Pet. 1:3). The “man of God” refers to Timothy (1 Tim. 6:11) but also anyone who Consequently the man (or woman) of God has all that is essential to fulfill his (or her) ministry (cf. 2 Pet. 1:3). The “man of God” refers to Timothy (1 Tim. 6:11) but also anyone who commits himself (or herself) to God, especially, in view of the context, those in positions of spiritual oversight. He is adequate (complete, filled out, equipped with all the essential tools he needs).
The mastery and use of Scripture is only a means to an end, not an end in itself. God did not give us the Bible to satisfy our curiosity alone but to enable us to help other people spiritually.”