ALL SCRIPTURE
IS INSPIRED BY GOD: pasa graphe
theopneustos: (2Sa
23:2; Mt 21:42; 22:31, 32;22:43 Mt 26:54;26:56 Mk 12:24;12:36 Jn 10:35;
Acts 1:16; 28:25; Ro 3:2; 15:4; Gal 3:8; Heb 3:7; 4:12; 2Pet 1:19, 20,
21)
(See Torrey's
extensive topic "Scriptures")
(See TRACT on
2Ti 3:16 by J. C. Ryle entitled "Inspiration")
God-breathed (YLT)
breathed out by God (ESV)
divinely inspired (Darby)
For the whole Scripture is given by inspiration of God (Geneva)
Scriptures
(1124)(see
in depth study of
graphe)
All (3956)
(pas) is an important adjective in this verse as this word
includes the idea of oneness, a totality or the whole, thus referring to
every passage of Scripture and every word in every passage.
No
exceptions.
The Net Bible renders the
Greek with the phrase every Scripture and then notes that...
There is very little difference in
sense between every scripture (emphasizing the individual portions) and
“all scripture” (emphasizing the composite whole). The former option is
preferred, because it fits the normal use of the word “all/every” in
Greek (pas) as well as Paul’s normal sense for the word “scripture” in
the singular without the article, as here. So every scripture means
“every individual portion of scripture.” (The NET Bible. Biblical
Studies Press)
Note that the 1901 Authorized Standard Version (ASV) as
well as some other versions (e.g., the Bible in Basic English = BBE,
Douay-Rheims = DRB) reads as follows:
Every
scripture inspired of God is also profitable
According to this rendering one
might reasonably ask "Well, what about those Scriptures that are not
inspired by God?"
While this rendering is
grammatically possible, this translation to some degree leaves open the
implication that there may be some Scripture not inspired by God, which
of course is not true, for if any of the whole is not of God, then which
part is it? Thus you can see how the integrity and unity of the whole
Scripture is undermined. As an illustration take the human body, no part
of which which is not useful in its place, and no part of which can be
spared without notable loss of functionality of the entire body. So too
all of Scripture is profitable for proper function of our spiritual
body. Let me ask you - In your personal
Bible study, do you focus all your attention on the NT? If you do you
are missing a significant portion of the whole counsel of God's Word.
How many conservative churches preach almost entirely out of the New
Testament, to the virtual exclusion of the Old Testament? Remember that the Old
is the New concealed and the New is the Old revealed. Our goal should be
that both the Old and New Testaments would be "comfortably" at home in
our heart and mind, for every Word of God is profitable (eg, see the Old
Testament shadows of Messiah our Kinsman Redeemer in Ruth, and the
shadow of Messiah as the Passover Lamb in Exodus, both fulfilled in the
New - cp Col 2:17-note,
Heb 10:1-note). As an aside, there are
excellent Bible study programs dealing with the Old Testament, including
Bible Study Fellowship
(Genesis and the Life of Moses, both 9 month programs and
Precept Ministries International with multiple OT studies (Click
here for list of over 150 separate in depth inductive lessons
covering a significant portion of the entire OT -- with more
to come!).
M F Unger wrote that...
Divine inspiration makes the Bible
uniquely the Word of God and not merely a book containing the Word of
God, and as such is different from any other book sacred or secular.
John MacArthur has a helpful note
"In addition to
the many other specific biblical references to the inspiration and
authority of Scripture...it is important to note that similar Greek
constructions in other parts of the New Testament argue strongly from a
grammatical perspective that
all Scripture is inspired
is the proper translation.
Scripture is the revelation conveyed, inspiration is the means of that
conveyance. In the words originally revealed and recorded, all Scripture
is God’s inerrant Word."
Francis Schaeffer asks and
then answers a pertinent question...
Does inerrancy make a difference?
Overwhelmingly; the difference is that with the Bible being what it is,
God’s Word and so absolute, God’s objective truth, we do not need to be,
and we should not be, caught in the ever-changing fallen cultures which
surround us.
Scripture
(1124) (graphe
from grapho = to write;
English = graphite - the lead in a pencil!) means first a writing or thing
written, a document. The majority of the NT uses refer to the Old
Testament writings, in a general sense of the whole collection when the
plural (= Scriptures - Matt. 21:42; 22:29; 26:54; Mk. 12:24;
14:49; Lk. 24:27, 32, 45; Jn. 5:39; Acts 17:2, 11; 18:24, 28; Ro 15:4-note;
2Pe 3:16-note) is used and other times of a particular passage when the
singular is used (= the Scripture - Mk. 12:10; 15:28; Lk. 4:21; Jn.
13:18; 19:24, 36, 37; Acts 1:16; 8:35; Ro 11:2-note;
Jas. 2:8, 23) and is used in such a way that quoting Scripture is
understood to be the same as quoting God!
Graphe - 51v in NT - Matt.
21:42; 22:29; 26:54, 56; Mk. 12:10, 24; 14:49; 15:28; Lk. 4:21; 24:27,
32, 45; Jn. 2:22; 5:39; 7:38, 42; 10:35; 13:18; 17:12; 19:24, 28, 36f;
20:9; Acts 1:16; 8:32, 35; 17:2, 11; 18:24, 28; Rom. 1:2; 4:3; 9:17;
10:11; 11:2; 15:4; 16:26; 1 Co. 15:3f; Gal. 3:8, 22; 4:30; 1 Tim. 5:18;
2 Tim. 3:16; Jas. 2:8, 23; 4:5; 1 Pet. 2:6; 2 Pet. 1:20; 3:16
It is worth noting that the majority
of the OT passages quoted in the NT Scriptures are not from the original
Hebrew but are from the Greek translation of the Hebrew, the
Septuagint (LXX).
The full title, the Holy Scriptures is found only in Ro 1:2
(see note).
Inspired by
God (2315)
(theopneustos
from
Theos = God + pneo = to breathe or blow) means divinely
breathed or given by inspiration of God and it nicely sums up Peter's
parallel teaching in 2Pe 1:21-note.
(See J C Ryle
Inspiration;
A W Pink's
Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures)
The Latin Vulgate renders it "divinitus
inspirata".
Every
single word of Scripture
is God breathed. The rabbis taught that the Spirit of God rested
on and in the prophets and spoke through them so that their words did
not come from themselves, but from the very mouth of God which is in
accord with Peter's declaration that...
"no (absolute negation =
absolutely none - and placed first in the Greek for emphasis) prophecy was ever made by an act
of human will (no prophet starts a prophecy by himself because he wanted
to - the Scriptures are not the product of human effort), but (on the
contrary which presents a strong antithesis to the idea that prophecy
originated from the mind & will of men) men (the human instruments who
"transcribed" as it were the the Words of God) moved by the Holy Spirit
(were continually carried or borne along by the Spirit a beautiful
figurative use of the verb Luke uses to describe a sailing vessel being
carried along by the wind) spoke from God" (2Pe 1:21-note)
It is not surprising then that in
the OT alone, the human writers refer to their writings as the words
of God over 3800 times!
The early
church was in entire agreement with this view. As discussed above the
ASV rendering of 2Timothy 3:16 (“All Scripture inspired by God is...”)
leaves open the possibility that some Scripture
is not inspired by Him and ultimately would make the Bible worthless as a
reliable guide to divine truth. Who would determine which part of
it is inspired by God and which is not? And so we see that the
doctrine
of the inspiration of Scripture is not optional but is vitally important, and
thus not surprisingly is a doctrine
Satan has attacked from the beginning asking Eve...
“Indeed, has God said?” (Ge 3:1, 2,
3, 4, 5)
The Scriptures are the voice of God to the soul of man. It is
inconceivable that God would give His people a book they could not
trust. He is the God of truth (KJV Dt 32:4);
Jesus is “the truth” (Jn 14:6); and the
Holy Spirit is the “Spirit is truth” (1Jn 5:7). Jesus said of the
Scriptures,
“Thy Word is truth” (Jn
17:17).
“
The greater Presbyterian preacher
Donald Grey Barnhouse explained inspiration this way...
Just as the Holy Spirit came upon the
womb of Mary, so He came upon the brain of a Moses, a David, an Isaiah,
a Paul, a John and the rest of the writers of the divine library. The
power of the Highest overshadowed them, therefore that holy thing which
was born of their minds is called the Holy Bible, the word of God. The
writing of Luke will, of course, have the vocabulary of Luke and the
work of Paul will bear the stamp of Paul’s mind. However, this is only
in the same manner that the Lord Jesus might have had eyes like his
mother’s or hair that was the same color and texture as hers. He did not
inherit her sins because the Holy Spirit has come upon her. If we ask,
how could this be, the answer is God says so. And the writings of men of
the Book did not inherit the errors of their carnal minds because their
writings were conceived by the Holy Spirit and born out of their
personalities without partaking of their fallen nature. If we ask, how
could this be, again the answer is God says so.
><> ><> ><>
The
Real "Three R's"
The Bible is relevant because it
is revealed. It is always a return to reality.
><> ><> ><>
Richard DeHaan writes the
following devotional that humorously illustrates "divine inspiration":
The story is told about a young boy
named Timothy who was planning to give his grandmother a Bible for
Christmas. He wanted to write something special on the flyleaf but
wasn't sure what to say. So he decided to copy what he had seen in a
book his father had received from a friend. Christmas morning came and
Grandmother opened her gift. She was not only pleased to receive the
Bible, but she was amused by the inscription Timothy had put in it. It
read:
"To Grandma, with compliments of the
author."
Even though that boy was unaware of
it, he had suggested a unique fact about the Bible. It came to us from
its Author -- God. Knowing who wrote a book often determines whether
we'll pick it up and read it. The Bible, with its divine origin, not
only ought to be read, but it demands our respect, our trust, and our
obedience. It comes "with compliments of the Author." (R De
Haan)
(Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Your thoughts are
here, my God,
Expressed in words divine,
The utterance of heavenly lips
In every sacred line.--Bonar
The Bible is a gift from the Author -- God.
><> ><> ><>
A T Robertson once quipped
that...
The greatest proof that the Bible is
inspired is that it has stood so much bad preaching.
Augustine of Hippo said...
Let us therefore yield ourselves and
bow to the authority of the Holy Scriptures, which can neither err nor
deceive.
In
the writing of the Jewish historian Josephus (Contra Apion, i.7) we find
a statement that parallels 2Ti 3:16:
“The Scripture of the
prophets who were taught according to the inspiration of God."
What the Bible says, God
says. The Bible is the final authority, the veritable "Supreme Court"
from which there is no appeal. It was on such a basis that Martin Luther
took his historic stand. The
moment of crisis came on April 18, 1521, at the Diet of Worms, when he
was called on by Johann von Eck, Official General of the Archbishop of
Trier to renounce his errors. Luther replied,
"Unless I am convinced by testimonies of Scripture or by evident
reason-for I believe neither the Pope nor Councils alone, since it is
established that they have often erred and contradicted themselves-I
am the prisoner of the Scriptures cited by me, and my conscience
has been taken captive by the Word of God. Here I stand. I can do no
other. God help me. Amen." (Bolding added)
The Greek word
for "inspired" describes ships sails filled,
being carried along over the seas. Paul
says every Scripture is the product of the Spirit’s work. He filled the
writers and carried them along producing His Words. And even though
God's Word
bears the mark or style of the writer’s personality, every Word is the true and
sure
word of God Himself. Next time you read the Word, stop for a moment and
contemplate that the eternal, all knowing and all loving God is speaking
to your heart and mind and soul and spirit and be amazed as such
condescending mercy and grace.
David affirms divine inspiration writing
"The Spirit of the LORD
spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue." (2Sa 23:2)
And Jesus Himself reaffirms that the
Spirit spoke through David stating
that
"David himself said in the
Holy Spirit, 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I
PUT THINE ENEMIES BENEATH THY FEET."
(Quoting from Psalm 110) (Mt 12:36)
The author of Hebrews directly
attributes Scripture to the Spirit of God
"Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE."
(Heb 3:7-note)
Clearly, the Spirit of God used men of God to write the Word of God. The Spirit did not erase the natural characteristics of
the writers. In fact, God in His providence prepared the writers for the
task of writing the Scriptures. Each writer has his own distinctive
style and vocabulary. Each book of the Bible grew out of a special set
of circumstances. In His preparation of men, in His guiding of history,
and in His working through the Spirit, God brought about the miracle of
the Scriptures.
The Westminster Confession
states that...
The authority of the holy Scripture,
for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the
testimony of any man, or church; but wholly upon God (who is truth
itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because
it is the Word of God.
Westminster Confession
Wiersbe has a cautionary
explanation adding that...
"We must not think of “inspiration” the way the world thinks
when it says, “Shakespeare was certainly an inspired writer.” What we
mean by biblical inspiration is the supernatural influence of the Holy
Spirit on the Bible’s writers, which guaranteed that what they wrote was
accurate and trustworthy. Revelation means the communicating of truth to
man by God; inspiration has to do with the recording of this
communication in a way that is dependable. Whatever the Bible says about
itself, man, God, life, death, history, science, and every other subject
is true. This does not mean that every statement in the Bible is true,
because the Bible records the lies of men and of Satan. But the record
is true." (Bolding added)
Hiebert comments that
"inspiration
is here not asserted of the authors of Scripture but of the writings
themselves. But inspiration was not mechanical. The Holy Spirit did not
destroy the personality and individual characteristics of the individual
writers but rather so worked through the entire being of the writer that
the very words used, although truly the words of the human author, were
yet the very words the Spirit intended to be employed to express the
divine truths being recorded."
“Men do not
reject the Bible because it contradicts itself,
but because it contradicts them.”
The more you read the Bible, the
more you love it; the more you love it, the more you read it. Read the
Bible as if God were speaking to you. He is!
Scripture is profitable for
teaching
(what is right), for reproof
(what is not right), for correction
(how to get right), and for
training in righteousness
(how to stay right).
A common phrase used to
describe "all Scripture" is that it is characterized by "VERBAL
PLENARY INSPIRATION".
Inspiration means that the
text of Holy Scripture was "breathed-out" by the Holy Spirit and written
down by holy men using their own gifts, words and personal style.
Plenary means that inspiration extends to every part of the
Bible. Webster defines "plenary" as "complete in every respect".
In simple terms, this word conveys the idea that all the words of
Scripture are God’s words.
Verbal means that
inspiration extends to the very words of the text. When the Bible
speaks, God speaks.
Regarding "verbal plenary
inspiration", The Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms states
that...
God is the ultimate author of the
Bible in its entirety. That is, God’s superintending work in inspiration
extends to the whole Bible and to each part of the Bible. Plenary
inspiration guarantees that all that the church has come to affirm
as Scripture is both authoritative and helpful for Christian belief and
practice. (Grenz, S., Guretzki, D., & Nordling, C. F. Pocket dictionary
of theological terms. Page 91 . Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press)
How important is
a proper understanding
of the truth of this verse for you?
The question of the supreme
authority of the Word of God is not just some ethereal debate but is the
supreme issue. Until you've decided this issue and honestly answered
this questions, you're going to be tossed to and fro. Nothing is "of
equal value" with the Word of God. It stands supreme. It is the "Supreme
Court" of the Christian faith. Tradition may be likened to a lower
court, statements of faith to a higher court, councils to a court of
appeal. But the Bible itself is the Supreme Court from which there is
and can be no appeal.
|
SOMETHING OLD. SOMETHING NEW:
AFFIRMATIONS OF
THE AUTHORITY & SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE |
|
AN ANCIENT CONFESSION: The
Belgic Confession of Faith
(1561):
Article 7: We believe that [the] Holy Scriptures fully contain the
will of God, and that whatsoever man ought to believe unto
salvation is sufficiently taught therein ... Neither do we
consider of equal value any writings of men, however holy these
men may have been, with those divine Scriptures nor ought we to
consider custom or the great multitude, or antiquity, or
succession of times and persons, or councils, decrees or statutes,
as of equal value with the truth of God ... Therefore, we reject
with all our hearts whatsoever doth not agree with this infallible
rule which the apostles have taught us, saying, Try the
spirits whether they are of God. Likewise, if there come any unto
you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house. (Click full confession)
A MODERN CONFESSION:
Chicago Statement on
Biblical Inerrancy (1978)
Article 1:
We affirm that the Holy Scriptures are to be received as the
authoritative Word of God. We deny that the Scriptures receive
their authority from the Church, tradition, or any other human
source.
Article 2:
We affirm that the Scriptures are the Supreme Written Norm by
which God binds the conscience, and that the authority of the
Church is subordinate to that of Scripture. We deny that Church
Creeds, councils, or declarations have authority greater than or
equal to the authority of the Bible.
Article 3:
We affirm that the written Word in its entirety is revelation
given by God. We deny that the Bible is merely a witness to
revelation, or only becomes revelation in encounter, or depends on
the responses of men for its validity.
Article 6: We affirm that the whole of
Scripture and all its parts, down to the very words of the
original, were given by divine inspiration. We deny that the
inspiration of Scripture can rightly be affirmed of the whole
without the parts, or of some parts but not the whole.
Article 7: We
affirm that inspiration was the work in which God by His Spirit,
through human writers, gave us His Word. The origin of Scripture
is divine. The mode of divine inspiration remains largely a
mystery to us. We deny that inspiration can be reduced to human
insight, or to heightened states of consciousness of any kind.
Article 8:
We affirm that God in His work of inspiration utilized the
distinctive personalities and literary styles of the writers whom
He had chosen and prepared. We deny that God, in causing these
writers to use the very words that He chose, overrode their
personalities.
(Click to read
all
19
Articles of the
Confession followed by an exposition of how the articles were
derived: The subtopics include: A. Creation, Revelation and
Inspiration B. Authority: Christ and the Bible C. Infallibility,
Inerrancy, Interpretation D. Skepticism and Criticism E.
Transmission and Translation F. Inerrancy and Authority- This is
meaty reading but needful in these "PERILOUS" "LAST DAYS" when the
fear of the LORD seems to be far removed from the thoughts of most
of mankind including many in the "church".) This confession ends
prayerfully with these wonderful words
"We
affirm that what Scripture says, God says.
May He be glorified. Amen and Amen."
And all God's children cry "Amen!" |
AND IS PROFITABLE: kai ophelimos:
(Ps 19:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 119:97, 98, 99;119:100, 101, 102 Ps 119:103,
104, 119:130 Mic 2:7; Acts 20:20; 20:27 1Co 12:7; Ep 4:11, 12, 4:13,
4:14, 4:15, 4:16)
beneficial (ALT)
useful" (Barclay)
Profitable
(5624) (ophelimos) means
useful, profitable, serviceable, helpful, beneficial
and refers to that which yields advantageous returns or results. It provides something that one needs to attain
a certain goal -- in context to be a "man of God".
Every Scripture serves to meet the moral and spiritual needs of man.
Unfortunately as Charles Colson says “The family Bible is more often used to adorn coffee
tables or press flowers than it is to feed souls and discipline lives.”
Ophelimos is used 3 times
in the NAS 1 Tim. 4:8; 2 Tim. 3:16; Titus 3:8. There are no uses in the
Septuagint.
In his first epistle Paul uses
ophelimos twice to emphasize the temporal and eternal value of
godliness reminding Timothy that..
bodily discipline is only of little
profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since
it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
(1Ti 4:8-note,
cp 1Ti 4:7-note,
1Ti 4:9, 10-note)
Writing to Titus Paul tells that
good deeds are profitable..
This is a trustworthy statement
(that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to
the hope of eternal life); and concerning these things I want you to
speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to
engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. (Titus
3:8-note)
Just as milk nourishes a baby in ways it does not understand, so
God’s Word nourishes us in ways we often do not understand.
No matter how deep our understanding of Scripture may be, we still
should be able to affirm with the psalmist,
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for Thee, O
God” My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and
appear before God? (Ps 42:1-note,
Ps 42:2-note).
We should rejoice with Paul that
“we all, with unveiled face beholding
as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the
same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2Cor
3:18)
The profit of Scripture attests to
its divine inspiration. Although one might wonder about some of the
genealogies or obscure passages, the Spirit-taught mind will realize
that there is spiritual nourishment in every word that proceeds from the
mouth of God.
John Calvin wrote that...
We cannot rely on the doctrine of
Scripture until we are absolutely convinced that God is its author.
John Calvin
John Wesley on the "profitability" of "The Book"
:
"I
am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through
the air. I am a spirit, coming from God, and returning to God:
just hovering over the great gulf; a few moments hence, I am no
more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know
one thing — the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy
shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way. He hath
written it down in a book. Oh, give me that book! At any price,
give me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for
me. Let me be homo unius libri: “A man of one book.” Here, then, I am, far from the
busy ways of men. I sit down alone; only God is here. In His
presence I open, I read His book; for this end — to find the way
to heaven."
(John Wesley - The Biblical Illustrator)
><>><>><>
Thomas Brooks
The Scriptures are
sufficient...
to inform the ignorant,
to confute the erroneous,
to reform the wicked, and
to guide and direct, support and comfort--the
godly.
Here a lamb may wade--and here an elephant may swim!
Here is milk for babes--and meat for strong men!
Here is . . .
comfort for the afflicted, and
support for the tempted, and
ease for the troubled, and
light for the clouded, and
enlargement for the straitened, etc.
Oh,
how full of light,
how full of life,
how full of love,
how full of sweetness,
how full of goodness,
how full of righteousness,
how full of holiness, etc.,
is every chapter, and every verse in every chapter, yes,
and every line in every verse!
No human writings are comparable to Scripture:
1. for antiquity;
2. for rarity;
3. for variety;
4. for brevity;
5. for plainness;
6. for harmony;
7. for verity.
All which should greatly encourage Christians, to a serious perusal of
them.
"Oh, how I
love your Law. I meditate on it all day long!" Ps 119:97-note
><>><>><>
FOR TEACHING: pros didaskalian:
"teach us what is true" (NLT).
Teaching
(1319) (didaskalía
from
didasko
from dáo = to know or teach) is either the
act of teaching or the thing taught and in this use denotes doctrine or
what is taught. Doctrine is from Latin doctrina in turn from doceo = to
teach. It refers
primarily to that which is taught, not the method of teaching, and
doctrine.
Didaskalia - 13v in the NT
(see below) and 2 in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (Pr 2:17, Isa 29:13).
The NAS translates
didaskalia as doctrine(9), doctrines(3), instruction(1),
teaching(7), teachings(1). Note the clear predominance of uses in the
"Pastoral Epistles" (I wonder why?)...
Matthew 15:9 'But in vain do they
worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'"
Mark 7:7 'But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the
precepts of men.'
Romans 12:7-note
if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
Romans 15:4-note
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our
instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the
Scriptures we might have hope.
Ephesians 4:14-note
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by
waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of
men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
Colossians 2:22-note
(which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)-- in
accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?
1 Timothy 1:10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars
and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some
will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and
doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:6 In pointing out these
things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus,
constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine
which you have been following.
1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, give
attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and
teaching.
1 Timothy 4:16 Pay close attention to
yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do
this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear
you.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who
rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who
work hard at preaching and teaching.
1 Timothy 6:1 Let all who are under
the yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so
that the name of God and our doctrine may not be spoken against.
1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone advocates a
different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,
2 Timothy 3:10-note
But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love,
perseverance,
2 Timothy 3:16-note
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
2 Timothy 4:3-note
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves
teachers in accordance to their own desires;
Titus 1:9-note
holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching,
that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those
who contradict.
Titus 2:1-note
But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.
Titus 2:7-note
in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity
in doctrine, dignified,
Titus 2:10-note
not pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the
doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.
The term doctrine in
Scripture
is broader than a simple reference to
information passed on from one person to another or from one generation
to the next. Christianity is a religion founded on a message of good
news rooted in the significance of the life of Jesus Christ. In
Scripture, then, doctrine refers to the entire body of essential
theological truths that define and describe that message (1Ti 1:10;
4:16; 6:3; Titus 1:9-note). The message includes historical facts, such as
those regarding the events of the life of Jesus Christ (1Cor 11:23). But
it is deeper than biographical facts alone. As J. Gresham Machen pointed
out years ago, Jesus’ death is an integral historical fact but it is not
doctrine. Jesus’ death for sins (1Co 15:3) is doctrine. (Sound) Doctrine, then, is
scriptural teaching on theological truths. (parenthesis added) (Elwell,
W. A., & Elwell, W. A. The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology .
Baker Book House)
Doctrine is
emphasized in the Pastoral Epistles (19/21 occurrences of doctrine
in the NT are found in Paul’s writings and 15/19 are in the Pastoral
Epistles) Doctrine structures our thinking
and so
determines what and how we believe which in turn is reflected in how we
behave. Too often new converts are throw immediately into some ''work''
instead of placing them in the firm footing of vital Biblical doctrine.
Sound doctrine is mandatory in order to structure sound thinking and
wise living. If you are not thinking correctly, you cannot be
living correctly. The Bible is our source for knowledge concerning God's
revelation in Christ.
J C Ryle said..
Let us receive nothing, believe
nothing, follow nothing which is not in the Bible, nor can be proved by
the Bible.
Puritan Thomas Watson wrote
that...
The Scripture is both the breeder and
feeder of grace. How is the convert born, but by “the word of truth”?
(James 1:18). How doth he grow, but by “the sincere milk of the Word”?
(see note
1 Peter 2:2)
Warren Wiersbe observes
that
Far too many songs not only teach no
doctrine, but many even teach false doctrines. A singer has no more
right to sing a lie than a teacher has to teach a lie. (Wiersbe,
W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)
Are the pulpit messages from
the heart of God or are they geared to tickle the ears? Do the video
series the church uses in Sunday School actually use Scripture as the
foundational doctrine or do they only give token acquiescence to the
Word of Truth? Is their emphasis on God's psychology and His Words of
Life or is the emphasis on humanistic psychology?
Don't be judgmental (see
Jesus' advice - Mt 7:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, - see notes
Mt 7:1;
2,
3;
4;
5)
but at least be willing to drop the plumbline of God's inspired Word
and "measure" what is being sung, preached and taught in your church
against the plumbline of Biblically sound doctrine. The vitally
and integrity of the church of Jesus Christ depends on a continual
"intravenous infusion" of sound doctrine.
Paul's dictum is applicable...
Examine everything
carefully; hold fast to that which is good abstain from every form of
evil. (1Th 5:21, 22-see notes
1Th 5:21;
22)
Be a Berean using Scripture as your plumbline...
Now these were more
noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with
great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these
things were so. (Acts 17:11, 12 -see
notes)
FOR REPROOF: pros elegmon:
(2Ti 4:2; Pr 6:23; 15:10;15:31 Jn 3:20; Ep 5:11-12; 5:13 Heb 11:1)
(Torrey's Topic "Reproof")
refutation (NAB)
for convincing (Weymouth)
make us realize what is wrong in our lives (TLB),
refuting error (NJB),
reproof and conviction of sin
(Amp),
to make us realize what is wrong (NLT),
pointing out
errors (GWT),
rebuking error (TEV),
convicting of sin
(JNT),
conviction of error (Barclay)
Eye of God's Word!
Where'er we turn
Ever upon us! Thy keen gaze
Can all the depths of sin discern,
Unravel every bosom's maze.
--Keble
Reproof (1650)(elegchos from
elegcho
{word study} = bringing to light)
describes the process or the action which brings something to the light,
and so which scrutinizes or
examines carefully, exposing and setting forth. In its purest form,
reproof is an expression of strong disapproval.
Elegchos is used only here
in the NT, but has 12 uses in the non-apocryphal - Lev. 19:17;
Num. 5:18, 19, 23, 24, 27; 2Ki. 19:3; Ps. 38:14; 39:11; 149:7; Isa. 37:3
Hiebert
adds that the Scripture
detects and exposes all that is false. It convicts all that is unholy
and all ungodly men, exposing and refuting every religious error and
falsehood.
The idea is to convict or
bring a person to the point of recognizing wrongdoing, to convince (and
convict) them of their sins. It includes the
idea of a rebuke which compels one to see their fault and to admit their
error.
Trench says that elegchos
implies not merely the charge, but the truth of the charge, and further
the manifestation of the truth of the charge; nay, more than all this,
very often also the acknowledgment, if not outward, yet inward, of its
truth on the part of the accused; it being the glorious prerogative of
the truth in its highest operation not merely to assert itself, and to
silence the adversary, but to silence him by convincing him of his
error.
Aristotle defined elegchos as
the proof that a thing cannot be otherwise than we say.
Bishop Trench said that the
verb form (elegcho) means
to rebuke another with such effectual wielding of the victorious arms of
the truth, as to bring him, if not always to a confession, yet at least
to a conviction of his sin”.
The most vivid example of this
kind of rebuke is the way in which God's prophet Nathan opened
David's eyes to his horrible sin
(All male readers - men are under attack especially with the internet,
so consider taking a moment and reading slowly and prayerfully through
this chapter [1Co 10:6, 11] remembering David is a man [Acts 13:22]
after God's own heart > 2Sa 12:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14).
Reproof will tell you where you are out-of-bounds. It’s like an umpire who
cries, “Out!” or “Safe!” It tells you what is sin. It tells you what
God wants for your life. He provides standards. Reproof is the
light that shines in the dark closets of your heart, but unlike the
light in the closet, the light of God's Word enables one to CORRECT or
set straight that which is broken. Reproof was especially important in
Judaism, where it had to be done privately and gently first. Paul does
not mean to say that the Scriptures are valuable for finding fault but
instead means that Scripture is valuable for convincing a man of the
error of his ways and for pointing him on the right path. A Christian
who studies the Bible and applies what he learns will grow in holiness
(Heb 5:14-note,
1Pe 2:2-note,
1Ti 4:7,8-note,
Ps 119:11-note)
and avoid many pitfalls in this world.
Although the following passages do
not all use elegchos, they are speak to the subject of reproof
(make a list of the advantages [if it is received with a
teachable, tender heart] and disadvantages [if the reproof is
refused]) -
Job 20:3; Proverbs 1:23, 25, 30; 3:11; 5:12; 10:17; 12:1; 13:18; 15:5, 10,
31, 32; 29:1, 15; Ps 39:11, Hos. 4:4 How important is godly reproof? see
Pr 6:23
Jesus taught the parallel truth about the Holy Spirit
And
He, when He comes, will convict (elegcho) the world concerning
sin and righteousness and judgment
(Jn 16:8)
So the effect of the Holy Word of God and the Holy Spirit of God is to “reprove”
which in secular use meant to demonstrate by argument, to prove, to
persuade anyone to do a thing by presenting reasons and hence to
convince of anything, particularly to convince of crime. The Holy Spirit
will convince or convict men in the world of sin by applying the truth
of Scripture to their minds so as to convince them by fair and
sufficient arguments that they are sinners, and cause them to feel the
pangs and guilt of conviction.
The Puritan Thomas Watson
asks
"How shall we know that we love the reproofs of the Word?"
Answer 1: When we desire to sit under a heart-searching ministry. Who
cares for medicines that will not work? A godly man does not choose to
sit under a ministry that will not work upon his conscience.
Answer 2: When we pray that the Word may meet with our sins. If there is
any traitorous lust in our heart, we would have it found out and
executed. We do not want sin covered, but cured. We can open our breast
to the “sword” of the Word and say, “Lord, smite this sin.”
Donald Hubbard summed this
verse up as follows...
1. Doctrine—Keeps us from Error
2. Reproof—Keeps us from Sin
3. Correction—Keeps us from Failure
4. Training in Righteousness—Keeps us from Foolishness
FOR CORRECTION: pros epanorthosin:
for
setting aright (YLT),
correcting faults (TEV),
for
improvement (Wuest),
for correction of error (Amp),
it straightens us out (TLB),
for guiding (BBE),
for guiding people's lives (NJB)
Correction
(1882) (epanorthosis from epi = upon + anorthoo = make straight again which in turn is from ana
= again + orthoo = make straight) literally means a straightening
up again and thus a restoration of something to its original and proper
condition.
In secular Greek literature it was
used of setting upright an object that had fallen down and of helping a
person back on his feet after stumbling. It also referred to repairing a
broken arm, thus making it straight again. After exposing and condemning
false belief and sinful conduct, Scripture then sets straight and builds
up through its divine correction...putting us back on our feet so to
speak so that we can continue on the pilgrim path of growth in Christ
likeness, holiness, sanctification.
Correction is Scripture’s
positive provision for those who accept
its negative reproof.
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all
guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander like newborn babes, long
for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to
salvation” (1Pe 2:1,2-see notes
1P2:1,
2:2)
Paul emphasized the restorative
power of God's Word in his parting words to the Ephesian elders
And now I commend you to God and to
the word of His grace which is able to build you up and to give
you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified
(Acts 20:32)
Webster's 1828 dictionary
defines correction
as the act of
bringing back, from error or deviation, into
conformity with a just standard...In
scriptural language, whatever tends to correct the moral conduct, and
bring back from error or sin.
And of course as
Albert Barnes
says
No reformation can be permanent which is not based on the principles of
the word of God.
The Word of God restores the fallen
sinner to an upright position and sets the erring one again on the right
path.
FOR TRAINING
(child rearing)
IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: pros paideian ten en dikaiosune:
(2Ti 2:25; Dt 4:36; Neh 9:20; Ps 119:9, 10;119:11 Mt 13:52; Acts 18:25;
Ro 2:20)
for instruction (KJV)
instruction in righteousness [or, the behavior that God requires]
(Analyzed Literal)
giving
instruction for right living
(GNB)
training them for a life that has God's approval (GWT)
showing them how to live (CEV)
for education in righteousness (BBE)
discipline in obedience and for training in righteousness (in holy
living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action)
(Amp)
training
in right living (JNT)
Training
(3809) (paideia
from
paideuo = instruct in
turn from país = child) means to provide instruction, with the
intent of forming proper habits of behavior, of providing guidance for
responsible living, of rearing and guiding a child toward maturity.
Paideia is a broad term, signifying whatever parents and teachers do
to train, correct, cultivate, and educate children in order to help them
develop and mature as they ought
Paideia has particular reference to child-training, carried out
with both firmness and gentleness as needed in each particular case. Paideia later evolved to mean
chastening (discipline) because all effectual instruction for the sinful
children of men includes and implies chastening or discipline.
Discipline is any training that corrects, molds, or perfects the
mental faculties or moral character. Thayer defines paideia
as "the whole training and
education of children which relates to the cultivation of mind and
morals, and employs for this purpose, now commands and admonitions, now
reproof and punishment; whatever in adults also cultivates the soul,
especially by correcting mistakes and curbing passions, hence,
instruction which aims at the increase of virtue; in biblical usage,
chastisement, chastening”. It does not have a punitive connotation.
Training
in context is the upbringing and handling of the "spiritual child" who is growing
into maturity and who needs direction, teaching, instruction and a
certain measure of compulsion in the form of discipline or chastisement.
This upbringing
refers to the whole
training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of
mind and morals, and employs for this purpose commands and admonitions,
reproof and punishment).
Teaching can be done is a classroom in an hour, but training
takes years so that your senses respond correctly. Training involves
repeatedly hearing and studying the Word so that eventually your
'spiritual 'reflexes'' begin to respond properly to what the Word teaches.
Then you are not just TAUGHT but you've been TRAINED! Paul used the verb form
(paideuo) in the preceding chapter exhorting the bondservant of the Lord
when wronged to deal "with gentleness correcting (paideuo)
those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance
leading to the knowledge of the truth" (2Ti 2:25-note)
Detzler
writes that paideia (and
paideuo)...
moves from education to correction
and finally embraces the concept of punishment. This idea is quite
unpopular, because many Christians confuse salvation with
sentimentality. God does not tolerate sin among Christians, but rather
disciplines them as a good father would (Heb 12:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11-note).
In fact, if a Christian is comfortable and undisciplined, there is cause
to doubt that he truly is a believer. (Detzler,
Wayne E: New Testament Words in Today's Language. Victor. 1986)
TDNT writes
that...
Paideia from pais a
child. In classical usage, that which is applied to train and educate a
child. So Plato:
“Education (Paideia) is the
constraining and directing of youth toward that right reason which the
law affirms, and which the experience of the best of our elders has
agreed to be truly right” (“Laws,” 659).(Kittel,
G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New
Testament. Eerdmans)
Vincent
adds that...
In scriptural usage another meaning
has come into it and its kindred verb paideuein, which recognizes the
necessity of correction or chastisement to thorough discipline. So Lev.
26:18; Ps. 6:1; Isa. 53:5; Heb. 12:5, 7, 7, 8. In Acts 7:22 paideuo occurs in
the original classical sense: “Moses was instructed (epaideuthe) in all
the wisdom,” etc. The term here covers all the agencies which contribute
to moral and spiritual training. (Vincent, M. R. Word Studies in the New
Testament 3:404).
John
MacArthur has a helpful note on paideia writing that it
refers to...
the systematic training of children.
It includes the idea of correction for wrongdoing, as seen in the
well–known proverb,
“He who spares his rod hates his
son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently” (Pr. 13:24).
In the several uses of the term in
Hebrews 12:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11-note,
the translators of the Authorized Version rendered it “chastening,”
which is clearly the emphasis of that context. Paul’s meaning here is
expressed even more fully, however, in the proverb
Train up a child in the way he
should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it (Pr 22:6).
Discipline has to do with the overall
training of children, including punishment.
Susannah Wesley, the mother of John
and Charles Wesley, raised seventeen children and had these words to say
about raising children:
The parent who studies to subdue
[self–will] in his child works together with God in the renewing and
saving a soul. The parent who indulges it does the devil’s work, makes
religion impracticable, salvation unattainable, and does all that in him
lies to damn his child, soul and body forever (cited in The Journal of
John Wesley [Chicago: Moody, n.d.], p. 106).
Righteousness
(1343) (dikaiosune
- see word study
dikaios)
is that which conforms to a standard or norm and in Scripture is that
which is itself in keeping with what God is in His holy character. It's
the behavior that God requires.
Righteousness
is rightness of a man's character before God and rightness of actions
before men. Both of these qualities are based on truth, which is
conformity to the Word and will of God. The English word “righteousness”
comes from a root word that means “straightness” and as noted above
refers to a state that conforms to an authoritative standard, God of
course being that standard. God is totally righteous because He is
totally as He should be. The righteousness of God could be succinctly
stated as that which is all that God is, all that He commands, all that
He demands, all that He approves, all that He provides (thru Christ).
Every believer like a child needs to be educated, trained and
disciplined in righteousness, so that he may prosper in this sphere
where righteousness is the norm of life.
Training
in righteousness - "In" identifies this training as in the
enviroment or atmosphere of righteousness (and certainly with the
ultimate intent that the one so trained to be pressing on toward this
same righteousness). This phrase in a sense therefore equates with progressive sanctification which Jesus also associated with the Word of God
when He prayed to His Father
for His disciples asking that God "Sanctify them in the truth;
Thy Word is truth." (Jn 17:17)
D L Moody once said that
The Scriptures were not given
for our information, but
for our transformation.
F B Meyer (Our Daily Homily)
commented that...
Literally the words stand, "All
Scripture, God-breathed and profitable". It is a remarkable expression,
reminding of the early record, “God breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life, and he became a living soul.” The breath of God has
entered these holy words, and they live.
This makes Scripture fragrant. — I
write these words beneath the leafy shadow of an oak-tree, on a ridge of
hill commanding the Weald of Kent. The summer breeze is hurrying past.
Since it left the southern sea it has passed over miles of fragrant
country, imbibing the sweet scents of flower gardens, orchards, and
hop-gardens; lading it with perfume, which makes it an ecstasy to
inhale. Ah, fragrant breeze, how thou remindest me of those holy
thoughts which are wafted to me from the orchards of Paradise,
whensoever I open the sacred Word!
This makes it refreshing. — On this
hot summer day the heat would be overpowering but for this delightful
breeze, which fans the cheek and cools the atmosphere. The current is
always changing, hence the refreshment. And the Word of God is always
fresh and interesting, because the Spirit of God is perpetually passing
into and through it, bringing his own life to us, and through us to the
world.
This makes it beautiful. — The effect
of the wind, in the music of the leaves above, the swaying of the
grasses at my feet, the rustling of yonder golden corn across the beaten
foot-path, adds an element of incomparable delight. There is new
meaning, movement, music, in it all. And it is only as the Divine breath
breathes through apostles and prophets, that, like great organ-pipes,
they become resonant with heavenly music." (Meyer, F. B. Our Daily
Homily)
J
C Philpot - Devotional - January 20 - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
On all subjects connected with
our most holy faith, it is most desirable to have clear views. Every
point of divine truth is laid down with the greatest clearness and
precision in the word of God. The darkness, the ignorance, the confusion
which prevent us from seeing it are all in us. But as we search the
Scriptures, as we meditate upon them, as we by prayer and supplication
draw light, life, and wisdom out of Him "in whom are hidden all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge;" and, above all, as we mix faith with
what we read, there is often, if not usually, a gradual breaking-in of
light; and as we follow up its heavenly rays, it shines more clearly and
broadly, and the truth stands out more fully and prominently before our
eyes. This is the only way in which we can be "filled with the knowledge
of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding," and thus be
established in the faith, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
To understand the scripture, to see in it the mind of the Holy Spirit,
to be deeply penetrated with, and inwardly possessed of the heavenly
wisdom, holy instruction, and gracious revelation of the counsels and
will of God unfolded therein, demands much and continual patient and
prayerful study. As in business, diligence and industry lead on to
prosperity and success, and sloth and idleness are the sure road to
ruin; so in the greatest, most serious, and important of all business,
the concerns of the soul, there is a holy diligence, a heavenly
industry, whereby it thrives and grows, and there is a slothful
indolence whereby it becomes clothed with rags (Proverbs 23:21).
><> ><> ><>
In a devotional from
Our Daily Bread: A Daily Devotional
we read about the
The Importance of Studying ALL of the
Scripture...
Researchers studying eye movement during normal conversation have found
that sustaining eye contact for any length of time is difficult, if not
impossible. Special cameras reveal that what appears to be a steady gaze
at someone is actually a series of rapid scans of the face. Eye movement
is essential because the nerves in the eye need a constant change of
stimulation if we are to see properly. Studies show that if we look at
the same spot continuously, the rest of our visual field will go blank.
We can experience a similar problem in our study of the Word of God. If
we "stare" exclusively at certain biblical truths while excluding other
important doctrines, our spiritual vision will begin to blur out. Some
people, for instance, tend to look only at the love of God, or the wrath
of God, or evangelism, or church growth, or the end times, or the devil,
or sin. No matter what particular truth we are interested in, we need to
be careful lest we lose our perspective.
The Bible tells us that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God"
(2Tim. 3:16) and is profitable for our spiritual development. Only as
we see the big picture—how the many biblical doctrines fit together—will
we avoid staring at some truths and becoming blind to others. —M R De
Haan
(Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted
by permission. All rights reserved)
God's Word was given for our good
And we are to obey;
Not choose the parts that we like best,
Then live in our own way. —Hess
You can't enjoy the harmony of Scripture
if you play just one note of
truth.
