“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” 2 Timothy 3:1-2 Paul,an apostle of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, wrote to Timothy and gave him the instruction that would help him in his ministering to others the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul gave Timothy, a young preacher, sound advice in admonishing the Christians in his care.Timothy was to preach and teach sound to doctrine, concerning the faith of Jesus Christ, whereby, the ones in his care would grow in their Christian faith. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 4:1-6, Paul told him to prepare those, who he was ministering to, to know the Scriptures and be prepared to refute false doctrines that were creeping into the church. The admonition, Paul gave to young Timothy is for our instruction as well. For there are many that are not preaching the whole gospel of Jesus Christ. Today is no different than in Paul’s day, where false preachers and teachers are leading Christians astray. Their mission is to lead Christians away from the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why it is so imperative that we know God’s Word, so that we can refute false doctrine and not be caught up in it. The principle that needs to be adhered to is this; Scripture proves Scripture. God does not say one thing in one Epistle and something else in another Epistle. God uses the same standard throughout the Bible, Old and New Testaments. To prove any preacher or teacher, we must read the Scriptures for ourselves. In so doing, we will discover whether the message from the preacher or teacher is from God. Paul, with all urgency, wrote to Timothy and told him to be aware of those who would deceive the Christians in his care. Let us look, with all diligence, at 1 Timothy 3:16-17 and 4:1-5 and be convinced in our hearts that we need to study the Word of God diligently and take the message of the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world and refute false doctrine that is creeping into our churches. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - The avenue to sound doctrine. 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, filled with Holy Spirit, said, “all scripture is given by inspiration of God.” “All scripture,” not a few passages here and there taken out of context, but “all scripture is given by inspiration of God,” literally - “God-breathed,” and is profitable for doctrine,” i.e., “4. Archaic Something taught;” a teaching, such as the commandments of Jesus Christ,” for reproof, i.e., “ To voice or convey disapproval of; rebuke.” “A synonym for reproof is admonish, i.e., “To reprove gently but earnestly. 2. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution. 3. To remind of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility,” for correction, i.e., correcting an error in doctrine, for instruction in righteousness: i.e., how to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Peter said that Scripture is so, “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2 - The reason why being grounded in sound doctrine is so important. “1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” “1-2 I urge you, Timothy, as we live in the sight of God and of Christ Jesus (whose coming in power will judge the living and the dead), to preach the Word of God. Never lose your sense of urgency, in season or out of season. Prove, correct, and encourage, using the utmost patience in your teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2 J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS) 2 Timothy 4:3-5 - Sound teaching in the word of God will unmask the deceivers. 3 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” “3-5 For the time is coming when men will not tolerate wholesome teaching. They will want something to tickle their own fancies, and they will collect teachers who will pander to their own desires. They will no longer listen to the truth, but will wander off after man-made fictions. For yourself, stand fast in all that you are doing, meeting whatever suffering this may involve. Go on steadily preaching the Gospel and carry out to the full the commission that God gave you.” 2 Timothy 4:3-5 J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS) In conclusion, let us always hold to sound doctrine and Preaching, teaching, what we know in our hearts that, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Read your Bibles from Genesis through Revelation and when you get done read the Bible through again and again. The more we read and reread the Bible the more we learn what is God’s will for us. References: King James Version Bible Gateway - Thank you for public access to Bible verses. By Public Domain Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words - Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers - Copyright 1985 - Thank you for the definition of the Greek words, “elencho,” which means to convict, rebuke, reprove. The Interlinear Bible - Hebrew-Greek-English Published by Hendrickson Publishers - Printed in the United States of America - in December of 2012 - Thank you for help with 2 Timothy 3:16 The Free Dictionary by Farlex - Thank you for the definitions of doctrine and reproof. J. B. Phillips, "The New Testament in Modern English", 1962 edition by HarperCollins - Thank you for your Modern English version of 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Sep 2013 14:04:43 +0000
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