WONDERS OF GOD’S WORD (2)

“ALL SCRIPTURE is given by INSPIRATION of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” –2 Timothy 3:16

The WONDERS OF GOD’S WORD include the unique wonder of its INSPIRATION: “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2Tim.3: 16-17). The Bible is the most unique book ever written for it claims to have GOD as its author. History confirms that the Bible was written over a period of 1600 years, on three continents, and by forty different individuals. Yet it had only one author – GOD. Peter buttressed Paul’s testimony: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2Pet.1:20-21).

That God’s Word is inspired means that it is “God-breathed”! That’s why the apostles could confidently refer to the message of the Gospel as the Word of God: “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the WORD of GOD which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the WORD of GOD, which also effectively works in you who believe.”

Today’s devotional text offers three key lessons about Scripture:

Scripture is Inspired: “all Scripture is breathed out by God.” (v.16a). Paul wrote this with elegant finality; no iota of doubt! It’s just like, when I speak, my word is “Me-breathed”! My breath, conditioned by my heart and mind, pours forth in speech. I breathe out my words. The first-century Jews and the early church believed that the Old Testament Scriptures were God’s breath, His words (2Pet.1: 20-21). This was also how the early church regarded the Gospels and the Epistles. For example, Apostle Peter regarded Paul’s writing to be Scripture (2Pet.3:16).

Scripture Is Useful (v.16b). Paul used two pairs of words to portray the usefulness of Scripture. The first pair – doctrine and reproof – relate to teaching. All Scripture is profitable for teaching, and therefore, must be studied – All the didactic, poetic, narrative, apocalyptic, proverbial, and epical sections together should make up the tapestry of our teaching. Together, the teaching and the reproof produce the boon of sound doctrine, devoid of error! The second pair – correction and instruction or training in righteousness – have to do with conduct. “Correction” comes from the Greek word for “straight.” God’s Word is useful in this practical way. Those who accept its reproof will begin to find their lives straightening out. In sum, the God-breathed Word is “profitable” for all of life, all doctrine, all duty, all creed and all conduct – everything!

Scripture Equips (v.17). Paul used two forms of the Greek word for equip (an adjective [“complete”] and a participle [“equipped”]) to make his point. The man of God is super-equipped by the Word of God. He or she is before all else a Person of the Bible. The testimony of God’s Holy Word is that it is His breath and that it is everything to believers. Moses described God’s Law – His Word, thus: “it is your very life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess” (Dt.32:47). God’s Word is everything from A to Z. The Scriptures are Life!

When the Lord Jesus was tempted by Satan at the inception of His ministry, His encyclopaedic knowledge of the Word enabled Him to defeat the tempter with three deft quotations from Deuteronomy (Dt.8:3; 6:13,16; Lk.4: 1-13). Jesus Christ, God incarnate, leaned on the sufficiency of Scripture in His hour of need. He insisted that scriptures are the soul’s essential food: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD of GOD” (Lk.4:4). The Scriptures were LIFE to Moses and FOOD to Jesus. They cannot and must not be anything less to us than the very Breath of God – inspired, useful, with power to equip for every good work! What Wonders!