The Uses of God's Word

“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 New International Version

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” New Living Translation

                  Paul’s 2nd letter to his dear friend Timothy was written roughly 5 years after his first letter. It was written by Paul from a Roman prison around AD 66 or 67.  The general tenor of this letter was to give final instructions and encouragement to Timothy, who was the head or pastor of the church at Ephesus. Paul makes sure to tell Timothy of scriptures uses to equip him as he serves the Lord. 

                  The Bible is an in dispensable tool for those who are children of God. Mortal men moved upon by the Holy Spirit wrote down that which God instructed them to write and the result was the holy scriptures. For the next several days we will look at each of the uses of scripture listed by the great Apostle. The first use should be rather obvious. God’s word is useful for teaching. 

                  While we understand and accept that scripture is God-breathed truth we must never forget the purpose of its existence … to equip us to do good. Just like Timothy, we too are God’s conduits. We are his messengers, called to live a life modelled by Christ.           

            God has chosen to reveal himself not only in nature ^{(Psalm 8:1, 3; Romans 1:20)} and human moral awareness ^{(Romans 2:15)} but also supremely by spoken and written human language. The Bible is an inspired book, written by the Holy Spirit of God. Therefore, it is more than useful to teach individuals how to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. To learn God’s statutes is to be taught and we believe, as followers of Christ that if we are to be pleasing to the Lord, we are to learn from the scriptures how to act and react in our daily lives. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible.