What Scripture Is For

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God maybe thoroughly equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and ofChrist Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of hisappearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be preparedin season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patienceand careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up withsound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather aroundthem a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you,keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of anevangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Timothy 3:16-4:5).

This is an instance where there should be no chapterdivision. Notice that the Scripture is inspired, what it is useful for, and whyit is useful: 1) Word of God. 2) Teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training.3) Man of God is thoroughly equipped.

Now notice the commands: 

1) Preach the Word. 

2) Be preparedall of the time. 

3) Correct, rebuke, and encourage. 

4) Do this with patienceand careful instruction.

Now we see the reasons: 

1) Men will not stand for soundteaching. 

2) They will get teachers to please them. 

3) They will turn fromtruth and to myths.

Next, we have a few more commands: 

1) Keep your head in allsituations. 

2) Endure hardship. 

3) Do the work of an evangelist. 

4)Discharge all the duties of your ministry.

 

Written October 1993.

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