2 Timothy 3:16-17 16All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, 17so that the person of God may be capable, for equipping for every good work.
The second way Scripture would be useful for Timothy is that it is God-breathed. This literal translation means “inspired.” God’s Spirit (“spirit” in Hebrew and Greek means “breath”) moved people to write the Bible (2 Peter 1:21). Paul does not say here how God inspired the Scriptures. Scripture literally means “writing” but usually has the meaning in the New Testament of the Jewish Scriptures. The “writings” of the apostles and those close to them were also gaining authority in the early church.
Paul continues his descriptions of Scripture with a short list of how Scripture is useful. Third, Scripture is useful for teaching. The primary topic of early Christian teaching was the good news of Jesus Christ and how to respond to it in faith and obedience. The Old Testament contains the gospel. Early Christian evangelists used the Old Testament to win people to Christ. Christianity is not a new religion but the fulfillment of the Judaism of the Old Testament.
Fourth and fifth, at times, this teaching may require rebuking and correcting. Rebuking is a strong form of correcting bad thinking or bad actions. Correcting attempts to bring positive change. Scripture can bring conviction of sin and point the way to forgiveness and restoration.
Finally, Scripture serves to train believers in righteousness. Training (paideian) recalls the education of children that helps them grow up and live as good citizens. Righteousness (dikaiosynē) is God’s standard for his people determined by God’s laws. Because of our sin, only God’s grace can make us righteous. The same Greek word is used for “justification,” the process by which we are made right with God. After God forgives our sins, we have the responsibility of living according to God’s will through obedience. Scripture shows the way we should live to please God. These qualities are similar to Timothy’s ministry assignment in 4:2.
Timothy could use the tool of Scripture to prepare the person of God to do God’s will. Person includes all believers who have put their trust in God’s offer of salvation and form their identity in relationship to Christ. Timothy had the responsibility of ensuring that the gospel was taught accurately and faithfully. Capable has the sense of proficiency and completeness, meaning that God’s people will be skilled at understanding the Bible.
The goal of this competency is for equipping for every good work. Equipping means to be fitted and made ready for a task. We have been created in Christ to do every good work (Ephesians 2:10). This is not by our own effort but by trusting in God’s grace (Philippians 2:13). Our part is to be obedient to the Holy Spirit, who uses Scripture to teach us how to live out God’s purposes for us.
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