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Making The Man of God Complete
2 Timothy 3:16,17
After Paul had spoken of Timothy's youthful experience with what he called the
"sacred writings," taught to him "from a babe" by his grandmother Eunice and his
mother Lois (2 Tim. 1:5), he told him to abide in the things which he had
already learned and had been assured of, knowing of whom he had learned them (2
Tim. 3:14-15). His source was reputable. All sources are not. But Timothy had
gone to the right fountain of information from the beginning. Everyone does not
necessarily do so. Timothy did. We need therefore to draw a most important
lesson from the wonderful example, so heartily commended by Paul the Apostle.
Prior to commenting upon this recitation, however, let us cite from the Word of
God itself the text which concludes his discussion of these matters:
"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).
We may draw three most important points from this passage directly:
1. All Scripture Is Given By Inspiration of God. The subject of this sentence is
"all scripture." Since in the context already (v. 15) he had noted his interest
as only in the "sacred scripture," this generic reference to "all writing" is
defined as having to do with only those books which may be viewed as
"Scripture." These are solely
those books esteemed by the Jews to be of divine authority. Thus, all sacred
scripture is described as having been "given by inspiration of God." The works
of Plato, Aristotle, Shakespeare, etc., may be "inspired" in the sense of having
been the product of profound human inspiration and perspiration, but the books
of the Bible are different. Likewise, the written works of other religions,
which may even be esteemed by them as sacred writings, are purely of human
origin. Once again, the books of the Bible are different. They are "inspired,"
the text explains, "of God."
The Greek terminology is very helpful in appreciating precisely how this
inspiration works. The word is theopneustos, which literally means
"God-breathed." Technically the term "inspired" is incorrect, for it assumes
"inbreathed," and is often used to describe the men who wrote scripture as
"inspired." The passage itself says that the books of the Bible are
"God-breathed," that is, they are the fruit of the breath of Almighty God, not
the inspiration of men. The idea of God
directing the men who wrote scripture is found in 2 Peter 1:20, 21. Here God is
defining the product of their work, the books, as "God-breathed," i.e. the very
breath of God.
Therefore Timothy, and those of our time also who read and study the Bible, can
know that our time is well spent. We are not ruminating upon the words of mere
men, but the very words of God, "breathed out" by Him.
2. All Scripture Is Profitable. Profit may be derived from spending time with
the books of the Bible. We may gain some information about matters of historical
interest and about the ancient cultures of the Fertile Crescent, Egypt, Greece
and Rome. But these are merely incidental to the main thrust of Scripture. The
Bible was written to be "profitable" for Timothy and for us.
The ASV translates the relevant portion of v. 16, revealing that it is
''profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is
in righteousness." Clearly then, God breathed out his Scripture that we might be
profited in the areas of teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in
righteousness. If the people
of God are to function as a group directed by God in every age, then some such
literature must guide them in the areas of teaching, reproof, correction, and
instruction in righteousness. This is precisely what the Bible claims to be. Our
interest in the language, history, cultures of the ancient Near East, etc., are
purely
peripheral as we study the Bible. This book provides us with spiritual guidance
which is "profitable."
3. That The Man of God May Be Complete. Here the ASV rendering of the word
artios, is preferable to the King James "perfect." The person who understands
the scriptures, who has them at his disposal when needed and necessary, is
fitted appropriately for the occasion. You will appreciate the apostle's meaning
perfectly if you are doing a job which requires a wrench which is "metric" but
all you have is a set of wrenches in American "inch" format. They will not work.
You do not
have the right tools to do the job. Or, if you are trying to reach into a close
space with a crescent wrench, when what you really require is a ratchet with an
extension. You just cannot do the job. You must have the right tools! Paul says
that in sacred Scripture we are supplied with the tools that fill our tool box
up, supplying us with just the right appliance for every occasion of need.
There is a problem, though. Too few of us have learned to use the tools with
which we have been supplied. We have all we need. It is just that some of us
have not learned to use the tools we already have. Let's all of us work on this
predicament to rectify it. Read and study your Bible regularly!
(From THE PRECEPTOR, Feb., 1995)
By Daniel H. King, Sr.
From Expository Files 2.7; July, 1995
