(2 Timothy 3:14-17)…..14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
As Paul prepared the Ephesian elders for the time when he would be gone, he commended them to the word of God’s grace (Acts 20:29-32). Why would Paul think that that was necessary for their well being? Because the Word of God was able to build them up, and give them their inheritance. With Timothy, Paul did the same when writing his last letter to him. He admonished Timothy to continue in the things he had learned (2 Timothy 3:14). In doing so, he first referenced the Holy Scriptures known since his childhood (2 Timothy 3:15). Here is the deal, when Timothy was a child, the only scriptures available was what we have recorded in the Old Testament. So Paul clearly had the Old Testament scriptures in view. He then spoke of the value of “all Scripture” (2 Timothy 3:16-17), that which was inspired of God, hat which had the ability to make the man of God “complete.”
If both the Ephesian elders and Timothy needed the word of God after Paul’s departure, then we need it just as much today! To fully appreciate why, consider what our text reveals about…
THE VALUE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
- It develops wisdom – The Old Testament makes one “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” How? It provides information regarding the fall of man and the rise of sin, the background and development of God’s scheme of redemption, and the Messianic prophecies which describe what to expect when He comes. One cannot hope to fully understand such books of the New Testament like: Hebrews, without a knowledge of the Levitical priesthood, or Revelation, without a familiarity of Old Testament prophecy and apocalyptic literature. If one desires to be wise concerning their salvation, study the Old Testament!
2. It Offers hope – When Paul wrote (Romans 15:3-4) he appealed to (Psalm 69:9) to teach that the things “written before” (i.e., the OT) were “written for our learning.” Think about that, the Old Testament was written and preserved especially for the Christians’ benefit! It provides patience and comfort, that we might have hope. How? It provides a record of God’s faithfulness, how He kept His promises: To Abraham and the nation of Israel, to judge the wicked and avenge the righteous, and to forgive the penitent, and protect the humble. As we read this history of God’s dealings with Israel, it gives us hope that God will keep His promises to us!
3. It Provides Admonition – Consider what Paul wrote in (1 Corinthians 10:11). He had just reviewed the fall of Israel in the wilderness with the events described, and he says, “They were written for our admonition, upon whom the end of the ages has come.” Again, the Old Testament was written and preserved especially for the benefit of Christians. So the New Testament writers often appealed to it in order to admonish Christians. We can see this in passages such as (Hebrews 3:12-19) (James 5:7-11) (2 Peter 2:3). As we read the Old Testament, we should learn from what happened to Israel. Though we do not live under the Old Covenant, the Old Testament is of great value to the Christian. Together with all Scripture from God, it provides every thing we need. Indeed, Paul reveals this in (2 Timothy 3:16). The Scriptures are not the words or thoughts of mere men, but of Spirit-guided men who spoke and wrote the very Word of God (John 16:13) (1 Corinthians 14:37) (1 Thessalonians 2:13). They are are a powerful means for instruction in righteousness and to make one complete.