(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) which was able to build them up, and give them their inheritance. With Timothy, Paul did the same when writing his last letter to him where he admonished Timothy to continue in the things he had learned (2 Timothy 3:14), referencing the Holy Scriptures that Timothy had known since his childhood (2 Timothy 3:15). When Timothy was a child, the only scriptures available was the the scrolls that make up our Old Testament, so Paul clearly had the Old Testament scriptures in view when he made this point. He then spoke of the value of “all Scripture” – (2 Timothy 3:16-17) which is inspired of God and has 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, how much more today do we need it? To fully appreciate why, consider what our text (2 Timothy 3:14-17) reveals about the Old Testament. It develops wisdom. The Old Testament makes one “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” How? The Old Testament provides information regarding the fall of man and the rise of sin, the background and development of God’s redemption, and 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 the book of Revelation without a familiarity of Old Testament prophecy and apocalyptic literature. But if one desires to be wise concerning their salvation, study the Old Testament. Note carefully what Paul wrote in (Romans 15:3-4) by appealing to a passage in the Old Testament (Psalm 69:9). The things “written before” were “written for our learning.” The Old Testament provides “patience and comfort”, that we “might have hope!” How? It provides a record of God’s faithfulness, that is, how He kept His promises: to Abraham and the nation of Israel, to judge the wicked and avenge the righteous, to forgive the remnant, 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!
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 profitable for doctrine, teaching, and instruction, for reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness. “Man needs not only to be made acquainted with truth, to be convinced of his error, and to be reformed; but he needs to be taught what is right, or what is required of him, in order that he may lead a holy life.” So listen, the Scriptures are truly “profitable” (helpful, advantageous), and they make one complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
It is important that you and I study and learn God’s Word. Have a blessed time in doing so.