The Breath of God - 2 Timothy 3:13-17 (Observation and interpretation)
The word of God has the power to free the man of God
from the bondage of his sin and the lies of Satan. Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the truth
shall set you free." (John 8:32) In the context of this chapter, the
Word also has the power to deliver us from the perilous effects of false
teaching (v. 13). But we will see
that the written word's power cannot be unleashed without faith in the
Living Word. The Christian experience is begun by faith in Christ's death, yet
it is carried out by faith in Christ's life. (Rom. 5:9,10) ". . . and
the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. . .
" (Gal. 2:20) . We know what to do through the scriptures, but we
can only do what we know through the Savior. "I am the vine, you are the
branches. . . apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
So if it is so important, why don’t more people
study the Bible? I want to look at the following passages as a disciple who
desires to be ever more faithful in that endeavor. I can tell you from personal
experience that the regular reading and study of the scriptures is life
changing. I read the Bible through for the first time when I was 17 years old
and have reread it many times since. Yet I am always amazed at the freshness
and the new things I find and if I didn’t know better I would declare
that God must have put new things in there while I was asleep.
The Bible itself has something to say about the
importance of studying the scriptures. There is a central passage in the Old
Testament and a central passage in the New Testament that focuses on this.
In Deuteronomy 6:4 we have the OT emphasis. We have here
the words of scripture that are probably the most familiar to our Jewish
friends.
Deut. 6:4
¶ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Deut. 6:5 Love
the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
strength.
This is the Shema,
used to call together the assembly for worship , used from that day to
the present. We may be familiar
with these verses, but I wonder
how many are familiar with the verses that follow them?
Deut. 6:6
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Deut. 6:7
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when
you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
In every possible situation, on every day, the Word of
God is to be in our hearts and communicated to others, especially our
families....
Deut. 6:8 Tie
them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Deut. 6:9
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
In other words whatever method it takes is to be utilized so the Word of God
becomes a part of us, communicated with our families and then made a matter of
public notice.
Now on to 2 Timothy 3:13-17.
2Tim. 3:13
while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being
deceived.
2Tim. 3:14 But
as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of,
because you know those from whom you learned it,
2Tim. 3:15 and
how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you
wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2Tim. 3:16 All
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness,
2Tim. 3:17 so
that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Why should we be so concerned about studying the Bible?
There are other books we could study.
The difference is - there are many good books out there, but this book
is God breathed! It is God's message to us. That is why in the OT that Moses said in the OT that the Word of
God must be absolutely central- it must be studied so it becomes part of your
innermost being.
A word of context-
In 2 Timothy, we read the final letter of the apostle
Paul- he languishes in a prison in Rome He is very concerned, sensing that
execution is soon to come and that life on this earth for him will soon be
over. He has given his life since his conversion to teaching believers around
the roman empire- now what will happen? the torch must be passed and in this
case to Timothy.
Years ago, I was a sprinter on a track team. One of the
events I ran was the relays. One soon discovers that the passing of the baton
was the most crucial part of the race- no matter how fast you run, if you drop
the baton, the race is over for that team. If the pace is lost, the stride of
broken, the race is lost. After months of practice however, the passing of the
baton could become a beautiful thing to watch. It was almost as if the
exchange was done unconsciously.
Well, the
race goes on- but it is about over
for Paul. Timothy, the younger man is ready to seize the
baton- Paul has a few concerns for Timothy- he was not quite the same
courageous, gregarious, dynamic type of person that Paul was. In 2 Timothy 1 he
says, "Timothy, be courageous". In Chapter 2 he says-" be ready
to suffer". In chapter 3 he talks about separation and
steadfastness.-" Avoid the false- threatening days are coming- be ready to
suffer. Men who deny the power of the gospel are coming who would lead away
God's people- guard the treasure!"
In considering 2 Timothy 3:16-17, it is difficult not to
think that Paul had certainly told Timothy about the importance of Scripture
before, perhaps on several occasions. Why is he emphasizing it now once
again? The reason may be that often times, when we get into the heat of battle, we tend to forget what is central
and move away from the most important things. Paul has already reminded Timothy
to fan into flame the gift of God (which is probably his gift of
leadership and administration) and so he now turns to remind him of a truth
central to Christianity and to Timothy’s ministry. These verses may
come as a reminder to you too, but do not let that keep you from entering
even further into the importance of the truth they espouse. Do you see the
importance of the Word of God for your life? How do you express that
conviction?
Paul exhorts Timothy to continue in the scriptures. The thing that will prepare and
armor us for persecution, to overcome in life is the scriptures. We are to find
our strength and power to overcome in the word of God.
So he exhorts him in verse 13-
2Tim. 3:13 evil men and impostors will go from bad
to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
This is said in the context of verse 12-of persecution-
impostors will come as the age wears on - the opposition to the Gospel will
become worse. These pretended religious leaders will come to deceive as they themselves are deceived.
In such a context Paul exhorts
2Tim. 3:14 But
as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of,
because you know those from whom you learned it,
2Tim. 3:15 and
how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you
wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Paul is probably here referring to himself (those from whom you learned it) though
it is plural and it gathers into its meaning the teachers of v. 15 , his mother
and grandmother but particularly
what he referred to in verse 10 where he spoke of Timothy following
"my" teaching .
Now continue in these things- the integrity of the
teacher guarantees the reliability of the truth. Timothy had found Paul to be
absolutely reliable, therefore he was to continue (present tense) in the truth
even in the face of opposition. Beware of a new theology, a new morality. The
truth will not change- this is a good word for us today!
People are continuing to claim to have new revelations
into the scriptures. We need not fear new methods or forms- but we do need to
stay away from new theologies and moralities- we are to continue in the way of
the things we have been convicted of from the start.
So that's his exhortation- stay with it- it is signed
sealed and delivered once for all- know its integrity. Why? For three reasons:
1. First of all because the scriptures lead to
salvation (v. 15.)
Timothy was raised by a Jewish mother and grandmother.
His father was a Greek. Barclay says it was the glory of the Jews that their children from the earliest days
were trained in the law. They claimed , figuratively, that their children
drank in the law with their mothers milk and that it was so ingrained
that they would rather forget their own name than forget the law. So that is
the context in which Paul says- “so it is with you Timothy, You have
known the sacred letters” - This may refer to the Hebrew characters -
perhaps Timothy had learned, like many of his day, to read and write by tracing the sacred letters of the
scroll. From a child he was immersed in scripture. These Holy scriptures are
able to make you wise unto salvation. Name me one book outside the Bible that is
able to claim this for itself? This is the only book with these qualifications.
Yet we are not saved by believing the Bible- does that startle you? No Satan
believes the Bible and he is not saved. We are to believe what the Bible
teaches us about CHRIST. Notice the last part of the verse- Through faith which
is in Christ Jesus.
When Billy Graham was invited to speak at Harvard, when
he was introduced, the professor that day in the chapel said, now, Dr. Graham, we have often heard you say "The Bible says".
We hope that you will tell us
today what Jesus says. Dr. Graham got up and acknowledged the
introduction and said, "Yes, I will be most happy to tell you what Jesus says, but in order to do that I will
have to look at the Bible, because that is the only source we have of
what Jesus said. “ This
bifurcation of what the Bible says and what Jesus said is nonexistent- we read
the Bible because it leads us to Christ. It gives us salvation when we believe what the Holy Scriptures reveal
about Christ. In this way the Bible leads us to salvation. So we should
continue to abide in His words.
2. We should also continue in the scriptures because
they produce sanctification
This could be translated- "Every scripture"
dealing with the particular or all
scripture which would deal with "every book of the bible" from
Genesis to Revelation- whichever. Even the parts left out by the Readers Digest
condensed Bible. Yes. All
scripture is God breathed. One liberal said that evangelicals are the only
people longing to know what happened to the Jebusites. Yes there is some profit there. It is a
part of scripture.
Scripture is trustworthy. The phrase "given by
inspiration of God" comes from the single Greek word (theopneustos)
which literally means "God-breathed." The scriptures were written by
men, but only "as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (II Pet.
1:21) "Every word of God is pure." (Prov. 30:5) As such, it can be
trusted unreservedly as the final authority on whatever it addresses.
remember that the first words Satan ever spoke to man were an attempt to deny
the trustworthiness of God's word - "Has God really said . . .
?"(Gen. 3:1) Those today who deny the absolute trustworthiness of every
scripture are re-echoing Satan's question to their generation and as such,
become (knowingly or unknowingly) messengers of Lucifer himself!
So scripture is God breathed- something God breathed out,
not breathed in- so "expiration" would be a better word that
"inspiration". The
point of emphasis here is not the
means- through writers- you will find that in 2 Peter and elsewhere. We are
talking here about the source in God of the scriptures- their authority
lies in that source. B.B. Warfield said, " The Bible is the Word of God in
such a way that when the Bible speaks, God speaks".
It is God's breath. A young Chinese doctoral applicant to
seminary was asked if he believed in the inerrancy of scripture" He
replied in his less than perfect English "of course - it is God breathed -
does God have bad breath?" That is one interesting way to put it-
"All scripture is . . . profitable." Paul lists
four different functions of the word of God, each having a contribution
for spiritual profit.
This describes
how they lead to sanctification- holiness of life. Because of our
relationship to Christ we have a position of sanctification, but there is a
progression that we are to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ- the main tool
God uses to bring us into conformity with the likeness of Christ is the word of
God.
2Tim. 3:16 All
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness,
a. Teaching or doctrine- have you ever heard anyone say
"why do I need doctrine? All I need is to know Jesus”. Oh really? Who is Jesus? Immediately you are into doctrine. If
you want to speak of the person and work of Jesus Christ you cannot avoid
talking about the teaching of scripture- and the word “teaching” is
the word “doctrine”. To make a statement like that is to show a
total unawareness of what the Bible is all about.
" The word is our light to
life, unto which we "do well to take heed as a light that shines in a dark
place." (11 Pet. 1:19)
b. For reproof when we sin- the Bible rebukes us. When a
person is involved in sin you can believe he is not reading the Bible on a
regular basis- because the Bible will reprove him. That is one of its
functions.
The word used for
"reproof" (elegchos) means to "reprove or convict."
According to Trench, it is "to rebuke another, with such effectual
wielding of the victorious arms of truth, as to bring him, if not always to a
confession, yet at least to a conviction of his sin. . . "
Essentially this function of God's word is to show us when we've departed from
the path of righteousness. The word of God is a faithful two-edged sword
which ruthlessly cuts across many of our actions and attitudes. Who can say, 'I
have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?"'? (Prov.
20:9)
c. Correction- How can we best preserve
ourselves from error in doctrine or from error in living- getting lopsided in
our walk, led astray? For getting into the scripture- for correction. The word
used for "correction" (epanorthosis) means to "restore to an
upright state." It is used of setting upright on one's feet . The
scriptures not only show us where we've fallen, but also how to get back on our
feet. They the way back to the path of righteousness and seek our
quick return.
d. For training in
righteousness-
we get out of shape spiritually- we need to be reconditioned. We need a training program- we get it
in the scriptures, God's tool to lead us to growth and grace in the knowledge
of Christ- if this is what you want for your life this is the answer.
The word of God was not given simply to increase our
knowledge, but mostly to infect our character and conduct. The word used
for "instruction" (paideia) was a very familiar figure in Greek society.
It described the work of the individual who trained the Greek child in all
areas of life from the ages of 7-18. He was called the "paedogogus"
and he accompanied the child out of doors on all occasions. One scholar writes, "The
paedogogus being practical, not theoretical, his aim is thus to improve
the soul and to train it up to a virtuous... life." The imagery here is
self-explanatory in regards to this verse. The word of God is our own
"paedogogus" accompanying
us wherever we go, seeking to influence us towards ever increasing heights
of righteousness.
3. So third,
they equip us for service
2 Tim. 3:17 so
that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work
We now see the intended purpose of the word of God for
the man of God . It is to "fully equip" him for his tour of duty as a
"good soldier of Jesus Christ." The word for
"complete" (artios) means to be "fit, sufficient,
complete." One lexicon translates it as, "able to meet all
demands". The full counsel of God's word enables the man of God to meet
all demands which may be required of him.
This is emphasized even more strongly by the last part of
the verse " . . . thoroughly equipped for every good work." The word
translated “thoroughly equipped" (exartizo) means to be
"completely outfitted, fully furnished or supplied." It was used of
completed documents, a boat which was fully supplied, or an oil press in
working order and completely furnished. The scriptures fully furnish us for
"every good work"! Note that Paul did not say, "many good
works," or even, most good works," but "every good work."
This verse is crucial for determining how to find God's will for our
individual lives. Man is to live "by every word that proceeds from the
mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4) and the Great Commission involves ". .
. teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.. . .
" When we leave God's word to determine His will through other means, then
we are turning our backs on Him before He has finished speaking to
us!
Notice,
please that we do not study the Bible just to gain a knowledge of the
Bible or doctrine- that is not enough. The word has the goal of equipping us for good works- to make us
useful for service, ministry, ourtreach. (This abiding in the word comes
notably before the disciplines of payer, fellowship, witnessing and ministry on
the on Disciples' Boot Camp
presentation, I would also note.)
We want to be men and women of God, equipped for every
good work. R. C. Sproul said- the Christian who is not seriously involved in a
serious study of scripture is simply inadequate as a disciple of Christ. To be
an adequate Christian and competent in the things of God one must do more than
attend sharing sessions and bless me parties." He doesn't say exclude them, he says you must do
something more. We cannot learn competency by osmosis. The Biblically
illiterate Christian is not only inadequate, but unequipped. In fact is, we are inadequate it is because we are not equipped.
Sir Walter Scott wrote
Within that awful volume lies
The mystery of mysteries
Happiest they of human race
To whom God has granted grace
To read, to fear, to hope, to
pray,
To lift the latch and force the
way
And better had they n'er been born
Who read to doubt or read to
scorn.
These hath God married and no man
shall part-
Dust on the Bible and drought in
the heart!
2 Cor. 9:8 And God is able to
make all grace abound to you, So that in all things and at all times, having
all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Let His grace abound in you today by abiding in Christ
and allowing his Word to abide richly in your life!