All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)
Have you ever received a timely letter from someone who cared for you? If you’re like me, I’m sure you have. Such was the case of Timothy in the above-mentioned scripture. It is from his spiritual father, Paul.
The setting is this: Paul has sent Timothy to Ephesus to address some serious problems in the Ephesian church. Factions and false teachings were abounding and threatening to upset the very foundation of this flagship church.
In response to Timothy’s less-than-desirable report in the middle of hard times, Paul writes this letter to his son in the faith, steering him back to the mainstay of truth and his source of strength and encouragement: the Word of God.
The message for Timothy in his day is the same message for us today, and that is to get back to the Word of God!
This is the picture Paul paints for Timothy: First, he reminds Timothy of the power of scripture by using the Greek word graphē, which is translated as “scripture.” The word is used over 53 times in the Bible and refers to what is termed as “the ancient writings.” Originally, graphē meant “to draw” or “to paint.” The implication here is that God’s Word affects our thinking, painting pictures in our minds. The canvas of the mind is actually renewed by studying the Word of God!
Next, Paul reminds Timothy that all scripture is inspired by God. He emphasizes his point using the Greek word theopneustos, literally meaning “breathed out from God.” In this hour, when many good and noble books are being published, we would do well to remember that there is still only one God inbreathed book.
From there, Paul goes on to say that it is proper to use the scriptures to teach what is right and wrong. The Greek word is didaskaleea and it is translated as “teaching” or “doctrine.” This implies that the Word of God is to play a huge role in our manner of life and behavior.
Paul concludes his message to a struggling Timothy by reminding him that the Word of God is the instrument used to expose, convict, correct, and train. Wow! The standard still remains 2000 years later--that standard is the Word of God.
Paul deliberately brings Timothy back to his Godly heritage received from his mother and his grandmother and points him back to his solid foundation.
Maybe we should take Paul’s instruction too, and return to the eternal foundations found in the Word of God. It could be that a timely letter from a trusted friend is simply waiting to be opened.
