2 Timothy 3:16 – All scriptures is God inspired, and is profitable for teaching, conviction, corrections and discipline in righteousness.
This scripture is heavy on my mind this morning. I think about how it relates to me even though I live under grace, and wonder why Timothy would feel the need to add this to his writing. I believe that the Law God gave to Moses is still valid for Believers/Christians, because it was confirmed over and over. (see Ezekiel 36:27, Jeremiah 31:33, Matthew 5:17-2, Matthew 28:20).
Some doctrines teach that Paul’s writings disqualify the Law. But if we were to study the life of Paul through His letters, we would be able to identify the Laws active through his admonition to the church, and in those things, he spoke concerning Himself.
Timothy’s open declaration is that Scriptures, which at that time were the Law & Prophet, are profitable for me a Believer in Christ, living under Grace. Not for righteousness, which comes only by faith in Christ Jesus, but for training in righteousness because a righteous walk is the result of a new life in Christ Jesus. If this verse is false, then all of Timothy’s writing must be closely examined. The original definition of profitable is advantageous and means, creating favorable circumstances that increase the chances of success or effectiveness.
Before I believed Timothy’s instruction, that if I use Scripture (Law & Prophet) to teach, convict, correct and discipline me, I will benefit, and it will bring me success, I believed God through Ezekiel. And because Jesus only spoke what He heard from the Father, He confirmed the Law as profitable and unending, and that is where I find my foundation.
Today, some of the Churches continue to reject the Law and 2 Timothy 3:16, while believing and keeping other parts of Timothy’s teaching. All I can say is, ” I love the Law, and because they are from a Holy Righteous God, they need no altering as holiness is perfect. Not one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. We can take that to the bank.
Romans 8:3-4. The Law was weak in the flesh not because it was not good, but because our flesh desires sinful things more; we rejected it. (the Law was never a bully). But under the New Covenant, God made it possible for us to obey Him. He promised His Spirit will indwell us, giving us what we did not have before; the desire to obey, and the power to keep His commands. Remember, God will never violate our free will. With the help of His Spirit, we could keep His commandments without it feeling like a burden to us
Original Greek definition of these words are.
- Teaching
- Giving instructions or information on Doctrines.
- Teaching precepts (learning rules to regulate thoughts and behaviors)
My behavior and thought life must be regulated by Scripture (Old Testament Law & Prophet)
- Conviction
- Proof or evidence.
- That by which a thing is proved or tested.
To prove anything, I must revert to the Law & Prophet.
- Correction
- A straightening up again.
- Restoration, Reformation,
- Correction to improvement of life and character.
Something that is used to correct, points back to the original definition or explanation of right & wrong. I look to the scriptures (Laws & Prophet) as my guide for right and identifying wrong.
- Discipline in righteousness
- Tutorage, i.e (that is) education or training.
- Disciplinary correction: Chastening (rebuke or reprimand severely)
- Nurture (care for and encourage the growth or development of)
- Instruction (which aims at increasing virtue (virtue is behavior showing high moral standards)
The scriptures (Law & Prophet) train me and disciplines me.
- Righteousness – God’s standard not ours.
- The quality of being fair and impartial.
- Integrity (correctness of thinking feeling and acting)
The scriptures (Law & Prophet) teach me righteousness, God’s standard of what is right and wrong. Even though there are some things I don’t quite understand in the Law, I pray for God to give me an understanding of them without ignoring the ones that have become clear to me.
One day I will have to give an account before God. Like the church of Thessalonica, after hearing the word I should search the Scriptures to see if what I’ve heard is true (see Acts 17:11). That would require listening to my Pastors/Teachers because Christ gave them to the Church, but also studying the bible myself because the promised Indwelling Holy Spirit is my Divine Teacher (see John 14:26, 1 John 2:27, John 6:45), and He will guide me into all truth, that is if I allow Him to lead.
You decide. But as for me and my house, we will obey 2 Timothy 3:16!!