“all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching for reproof for correction for training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16
Dan M. is filling in for Pastor Dan this week.
I would like to look at three things from this text. 1. We can see the nature of scripture. 2. The function of scripture. 3. The result of scripture.
3. The result, or effect of Scripture. Seeing as though God has spoken to men in his Word with an intent to function in the life of a believer, then we can be sure that God will ensure His intended effect, 1Thessalonians 2:13. If God did not spare His own Son but delivered him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things, Roman’s 8:32? He’s not going to give his Son to die and then leave us alone to flounder in our faith. He is going to complete the work that he started in us, Philippians 1:6. God’s intention is established, Isaiah 46:10-11, his word will not return to him void Isaiah 55:11, and his work will not be thwarted, Job 42:2, Isaiah 14:27, 46:11. That includes the work in you, 1Thessalonians 5:23-24.So what is the intended function of scripture for the person of God? Verse 17 gives us God’s purpose, “that the man of God may be complete…” the word artios is translated, “complete” NKJV and ESV, “perfect” KJV, “adequate” NASB. It means proficient or entirely suited. This is unpacked in verse 17 as, “equipped for every good work.” so if that which is God breathed is able to entirely suit a believer for every good work then do we need other authorities to equip us? The answer is no, but some point to Ephesians 4:11 and following which says, “and he gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelist and some as pastors and teachers for the equipping of the Saints for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ .” They then proceeded to import all kinds of creed’s, confessions councils and traditions of non-biblical doctrines like papal infallibility, Marian dogmas and edicts of the church into this text. Let me ask you, if everything found in Scripture is able to make the person of God complete, do the Marian dogmas and doctrines of purgatory which are not found in Scripture, equip the believer for any good work? The answer must be no. Therefore the authorities listed in Ephesians 4 are only profitable in as much as they agree with that which is God breathed, the only INFALLIBLE rule for faith and practice namely “all scripture.” This is the doctrine of sola scriptura.There are many implications here, but I think we can see one clearly. No one is going through the 40 days of purpose today and no one is still praying The Prayer of Jabez. These things have proven a washout because they are unable to equip a believer. The grass withers and the flower fades but the Word of our God stands forever, Isaiah 40:8. For millennia the Word of God has worked effectively by the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers and continues to do so today. May God bless YOU in the reading of His Word today!