“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV)”

-2 Timothy 3:16-17-

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Let’s look at the context of the verse first and answer a few key questions.

Who wrote it? Paul

When was it written? Approx. AD 66

To whom was it written? This is Paul’s final letter, written to his son in the faith, Timothy. Timothy was the pastor of the church in Ephesus.

For what purpose?  To encourage Timothy. Paul knew his time was coming to an end and that Timothy had been struggling with his health and he was encouraging him to step up and take his ministry seriously and finish strong.

Paul sits in a Roman prison, presumably for the second time, when he writes this letter to Timothy. Timothy was the pastor of the church of Ephesus, and was his son in the faith. In this letter, “Paul reminds Timothy that if we don’t actively engage in the gift of our faith, we’ll default to fear. Because God has granted us faith, we have access to power, love, and self-control through His Spirit.”(1)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV)” -2 Timothy 3:16-17-

“The doctrine of inspiration refers to the process by which God oversaw the composition of Scripture, guiding the authors to write exactly what he wanted them to write without error. The Greek word translated inspired is literally breathed out by God. When we read the Bible, we are reading the very words of the living God.”(2)

God uses His word to do several things as stated in this week’s verse. It teaches, reproofs, corrects, and it trains us in righteousness. The reason is that we need to be thoroughly equipped for the good works that He has planned for us.

Here are the definitions associated with the different actions that Scripture does for each of us.

Teaching: Divine instruction

Reproof: Rebuke for wrong behavior or wrong belief

Correction: Restoration to its proper condition

Training in Righteousness: Positive training in godly behavior

God has a plan for each of our lives. When He saves us, we are each given the gift of the Holy Spirit as mentioned in 1 Cor. 3:16. One job of the Holy Spirit is to be our helper. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26)”

We are not called to go through this teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness alone. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us on this journey of sanctification. The Greek word for “helper” in John 14:26 is “Parakletos”, which translates to “legal counsel.” So one of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to provide us with wise counsel.

We can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us while we are studying God’s word to help us be better equipped in understanding and applying scripture so that we are able to grow in righteousness. Our daily lives on earth are meant to glorify God and bring us closer to him through sanctification. Sanctification means the act of making or declaring something holy. We must study His word and apply it to our lives if we are going to grow in the knowledge of Him, grow closer to Him, and become more like His son, Jesus.

While memorizing your verse this week, I challenge you to ask God to show you ways that you are not fully equipped for the works He wants you to do and help you to grow in those areas. If you are not spending time daily in His word, on your own, ask Him to help you be more disciplined and hungry for that time with Him and His truth.