All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
These words in 2 Timothy are often used as a prooftext for the inspiration and infallibility of the Bible. While I will be using these words as such this Sunday, it is important to remember that - as important as that argument may be - it’s not Paul’s main point here. Paul’s instruction to the young man Timothy is primarily about practical advice for godly living.
From an early age, Timothy had been exposed to the Old Testament Holy Scriptures. Paul encouraged Timothy to continue to read and to trust God’s Word to learn about righteous living. God’s Word can be trusted because it is not the word of fallible mortals but the word of the eternal God himself.
In God’s plan of salvation, the Holy Spirit worked in and through the authors of the Bible to reveal God’s design and purpose for us. Paul describes the Spirit’s work as “God-breathed.” Just as the Holy Spirit breathed into Adam’s nostrils, giving him life (Genesis 2:7), so the Holy Spirit breathed into the work of the Bible’s human authors, giving the Scriptures divine life and ultimate authority for questions about faith and life.
As we continue in our sermon series this week, if you want to know whether or not God can be trusted, look no further than the inspired, infallible words of the Bible. The Holy Spirit gave God’s Word to us to help us glorify God and serve him.
These words in 2 Timothy are often used as a prooftext for the inspiration and infallibility of the Bible. While I will be using these words as such this Sunday, it is important to remember that - as important as that argument may be - it’s not Paul’s main point here. Paul’s instruction to the young man Timothy is primarily about practical advice for godly living.
From an early age, Timothy had been exposed to the Old Testament Holy Scriptures. Paul encouraged Timothy to continue to read and to trust God’s Word to learn about righteous living. God’s Word can be trusted because it is not the word of fallible mortals but the word of the eternal God himself.
In God’s plan of salvation, the Holy Spirit worked in and through the authors of the Bible to reveal God’s design and purpose for us. Paul describes the Spirit’s work as “God-breathed.” Just as the Holy Spirit breathed into Adam’s nostrils, giving him life (Genesis 2:7), so the Holy Spirit breathed into the work of the Bible’s human authors, giving the Scriptures divine life and ultimate authority for questions about faith and life.
As we continue in our sermon series this week, if you want to know whether or not God can be trusted, look no further than the inspired, infallible words of the Bible. The Holy Spirit gave God’s Word to us to help us glorify God and serve him.
No Comments