2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction… I. THE NATURE OF THE WRITINGS HERE SPOKEN OF. II. THE OBJECT FOR WHICH THE SCRIPTURES WERE WRITTEN. This object is twofold; first, what the Bible would make man; and next, holy it would accomplish its purpose. 1. What the Scriptures would make man. "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." It does this by first making him a "man of God." Religion is not an abstraction — it is a Divine life, and a life which in man makes him a man of God. 2. The standard after which he ever aims is perfection! 3. But we have not only the standard announced, we have also the style of the spiritual education determined — "that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished." III. HOW THE SCRIPTURES PROPOSE MAKING "MEN OF GOD, THROUGHLY FURNISHED, UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS." "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable." 1. "For doctrine"; that is, for conveying those truths and that learning needful to salvation. 2. Becoming "profitable for reproof." This word "reproof," means "conviction." 3. It becomes "profitable for correction." This is equally necessary in a volume suitable to save men. 4. Lastly — by "instruction of righteousness." The unlearning of man's love to sin, the undoing of his evil habits — this is correction. But after all this is but the negative part of Christian character. It is the abegnation of evil. Christianity inculcates positive good. IV. THE WORK WHICH HOLY SCRIPTURE IS YET DESTINED TO DO. 1. By the Bible the Church of God mast be purified. 2. By the Bible, as an instrument, the Jews must be converted. 3. By the Bible the great apostasy must be destroyed. 4. By the Bible, instrumentally, the heathen must be converted. (A. M. Brown, LL. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: |
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