The passage begins by acknowledging Timothy's early exposure to the holy Scriptures. It affirms, "From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures." This suggests that Timothy was raised in an environment that valued and taught the Scriptures. The early familiarity with God's Word was instrumental in shaping Timothy's understanding and faith. It emphasizes the importance of grounding oneself in Scripture from a young age.
The purpose of knowing the holy Scriptures is to gain wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. It declares that the Scriptures are not merely a collection of ancient texts, but they have the power to make one wise for salvation. The passage emphasizes that salvation comes through faith in Christ Jesus, and the Scriptures serve as a means to cultivate that faith and understanding.
The following verse states that every Scripture is God-breathed or inspired by God. It affirms, "Every Scripture is God-breathed." This highlights the divine origin and authority of the Scriptures. The Bible is not merely a human creation but is divinely inspired by God. This affirmation underscores the reliability and truthfulness of Scripture.
The passage goes on to describe the purpose and benefits of Scripture. It states that the Scriptures are profitable for various aspects of a believer's life. It says, "Profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness." These qualities highlight the transformative power of Scripture. Let's examine each aspect:
- Teaching: The Scriptures provide comprehensive instruction and guidance in matters of faith and living a righteous life. They offer wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual insight.
- Reproof: The Scriptures have the capacity to bring conviction and expose areas of wrongdoing or error. They serve as a corrective tool, pointing out where one falls short of God's standards.
- Correction: The Scriptures not only identify areas of error but also provide guidance for correction and restoration. They offer guidance and instruction to help believers align their lives with God's will.
- Instruction in Righteousness: The Scriptures provide guidance on how to live a righteous and godly life. They offer principles and values that shape character and conduct.
The ultimate goal of the Scriptures is to equip believers for every good work. The passage states, "that the person of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." Scripture provides the necessary resources, teachings, and instructions to equip believers to fulfill their God-given purpose and engage in acts of service and righteousness.
In summary, 2 Timothy 3:15-17 underscores the significance of the holy Scriptures in the life of a believer. It emphasizes the transformative power of Scripture, which is able to make one wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. The passage highlights the divine inspiration of Scripture, its profitability for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. The Scriptures serve to equip believers for every good work, enabling them to live out their faith and fulfill their calling. As believers, may we diligently study, embrace, and apply the Word of God, knowing that it has the power to transform our lives and equip us for God's purposes.
See also: vs 13-14
2 Timothy 3:15-17. From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.