“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
One of the best-known and most important portions of the New Testament is found here in 2 Timothy 3:16. In fact, this portion of Scripture is so important that we will take the time to consider its implications over the course of several studies.
You see, 2 Timothy 3:16 alerts us to something that makes the Biblical Scriptures unique and different from any other book ever written. The difference is that God inspired the Bible. Before we look into the definition of “inspiration,” we should first note its extent: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” This tells us that God’s inspiration of the Biblical Scriptures…
- Comprises all that is written – 2 Timothy 3:16.
- Encompasses every individual word – Matthew 22:43 , 1 Corinthians 2:13.
- Extends to verb tenses – Matthew 22:32, Galatians 3:16.
- It even includes the smallest parts of individual words – Matthew 5:17-18. (1)
Two commentators provide us with some additional insight into the concept of “all Scripture” from this passage…
“All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16–17), and that means there is nothing insignificant in the Bible. Every word was carefully chosen by the Apostles and prophets, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so we must put in the hard work required to understand each word in context. In so doing, we show the proper respect for our Creator, and we are equipped to rightly understand and apply the text of Scripture to our lives.” (2)
“When Paul speaks of all Scripture, he is definitely referring to the complete OT, but also to those portions of the NT that were then in existence. In 1Ti_5:18, he quotes the Gospel of Luke (Luk_10:7) as Scripture. And Peter speaks of Paul’s Epistles as Scriptures (2Pe_3:16). Today we are justified in applying the verse to the entire Bible.” (3)
With these things in mind, we can say that God is personally responsible for every single word of the Biblical Scriptures. This explains why the Old Testament book of Proverbs tells us, “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6, emphasis added). But how did God’s Word take the form of the Biblical Scriptures we have today? We will begin our look at the answer to that complex question beginning next.
(1) See Geisler, N. L. 1999. Baker encyclopedia of Christian apologetics. Baker reference library. Baker Books: Grand Rapids, Mich
(2) “Who Is Israel” Tabletalk magazine, August, 2014 pg. 50
(3) William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, pg. 2123