The Pastoral Epistles: 2 Timothy 3 (6)

Pray Psalm 2.10-12.
Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Read and meditate on 2 Timothy 3.16, 17.

Reflect.
1. What kind of profit does Scripture provide?

2. What does Scripture do for those who make good use of it? 

Meditate.
Paul succinctly addresses the questions of Scripture’s origins, benefits, and intended uses. What is the Bible for? While Paul is speaking primarily of the Old Testament Scriptures here, what he says stands for all the Bible as well.

The Bible comes to us by way of divine inspiration. God “breathed” His Word to various human authors, employing their circumstances and personalities to communicate His grace and truth. While every book of the Bible addresses a particular situation and time, we would expect anything inspired by God to be timeless in its truths and applications. 

The Bible is profitable. That is, if we invest in it, giving it the time and careful attention such a divine book deserves, it yields benefits of various kinds. By the Scriptures we learn sound doctrine. Scripture is a mirror in which we see areas of needed correction in our lives and times. It reveals the path of righteousness, and shows us how to walk in it.

The purpose of Scripture is to make us complete, that is, to help us grow into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3.12-18; Col. 1.27-29). We’ll know we’re becoming more complete in Christ as we do the good works for which the Scriptures equip us. This is why we have been saved (Eph. 2.8-10). Only God can define those works which are truly good, and His Word is the place to go for learning them.

The Scriptures are thus a reliable place to stand as times change and things go from bad to worse. We show our love for God, and for the Lord Jesus Christ, when we diligently apply ourselves to His Word, reading, meditating, studying, learning, and obeying Scripture for every aspect of our lives.

Reflect.
1. Why is it important to know that Scriptures is divinely inspired?

2. How would you counsel a new believer to use Scripture most profitably? 

3. How would you explain what it means to be complete in Christ to an unbelieving friend?

To search the sacred Scripture is very good and most profitable for the soul. For, “like a tree which is planted near the running waters,” so does the soul watered by sacred Scripture also grow hearty and bear fruit in due season. This is the orthodox faith. It is adorned with its evergreen leaves, with actions pleasing to God. John of Damascus (650-750), The Orthodox Faith 4.17

Let Your Word take deep root in me, Lord, so that I…

Pray Psalm 2.10-12.
Pray for yourself, for all God’s people, and for people everywhere, that we might be instructed in the Word of God for every good work.

Sing Psalm 2.9-12
Psalm 2.9-12 (Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High!).
To Christ the Lord be given all who humbly embrace Him and on Him call.
Be wise, be warned: His judgment comes to break the prideful, sinful ones.

Rejoice with fear in Jesus’ grace, and worship before His exalted face!
Beware His anger and judgment grim: How blessed are all who rest in Him!

T. M. Moore

Whatever our calling in life, we are sent to bring the joy of Christ to the people around us. Our book, Joy to Your World!, can show you how to fill your Personal Mission Field with more of the Presence, promise, and power of Christ and His Kingdom. Order your copy, as a supplement to our study of 1 Timothy, by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).