The Bible - The Word of God

II Timothy 3:16, 17 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, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS.

We will take a closer look at this verse to see what gems the Word of God can enlighten us with.

Most business decisions are made by executives that worry about the bottom line or profit. Our lives should get no less attention. What is profitable what is not? II Tim. 3:16, 17 gives us the foundation and the purpose of the Word of God in our lives.

Most people are interested in profit and what the Bible declared is profitable is not always interesting or even liked by Bible believing people. Doctrine is good and most people that are spiritual at all enjoy some doctrine, we will call doctrine right teaching.

Reproof that is a different animal though we may like to reprove others, but we do not care to be reproved ourselves. The reproof of the Word of God should be acceptable and be taken with thankfulness.

The third thing the Bible tells us is profitable is correction. We can correct our wrong ways by the Word. The hard part is admitting that one is wrong and that one needs correction. Practice is how we learn to be corrected gracefully.

Beyond correction is instruction in righteousness. God’s ways are righteous. We need to know them so we can walk in them and so be instructed in righteousness.

The object of all profitable work of the Word as declared in this verse is that the man of God might be perfect, perfectly moral I think not as so many others think, but perfect in that he can fulfill the work for which he was created.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THINE HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIGHT. AND THESE WORDS SHALL BE IN THINE HEART: AND THOU SHALT TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY UNTO THY CHILDREN, AND SHALT TALK OF THEM
WHEN THOU SITTEST IN THINE HOUSE, AND WHEN THOU WALKEST BY THE WAY, AND WHEN THOU LIEST DOWN, AND WHEN THOU RISEST UP.

Not one person can love another person without actually knowing that person the same is true with God. No one can truly love God unless one knows His Word. David said, THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MINE HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE (Psalms 119: 11). Evidently David knew this was the counsel of God.

In the Gospels believing is the requirement for resurrection, as John 3:16 states, it was necessary for those parents who loved their little ones and wished that they be resurrected, to teach them the Word as soon as they could talk and grasp it. The Word of God was to be the main topic of conversation in the home. Many Hebrew children memorized long passages and some even learn all the OT from memory. It was only natural that the children should grow up as believers. This is a profitable lesson for today too.

Colossians 3:16 LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM; TEACHING AND ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER IN PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING WITH GRACE IN YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 states that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, no doubt the Apostle Paul had in mind all Scripture written up to this time. That then would include the entire Bible as we have it today the exception being Second Timothy, the book that Paul was writing. II Timothy also is given by inspiration.

We note in the verse before, Paul writes in vs. 15 and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Timothy up to this point had access to all the Scripture except this one last epistle, that we being revealed to him via Paul’s writing.

All Scripture was God-breathed. We are always interested in that which is profitable, and rightfully so. What can be more profitable than the Scriptures that speak of the unsearchable riches of Christ?

The Scriptures are profitable;

• For Doctrine. This refers to teaching. Our teaching concerning the dispensation of the mystery is found in Ephesians 1-3 especially. Also much doctrine is set forth in Colossians.
• For Reproof. If we have proof, then we should have conviction. This is the meaning of the word. The Word can only reprove when it is believed. Reproof then comes from being convinced of the truth.
• For Correction. This is the only place this word is used. It means to right up again, set to rights, to restore. A fence post holds up the fence, if it falls it must be corrected or stood up right again so as to get the protection of the fence. The same is with the Word of God.
• For instruction in righteousness. The word here is sometimes translated discipline also it can mean to teach. The goal of the instruction or teaching is to go on to righteousness. To the Biblical Israel the righteousness of God was set forth by the law. Today God deals with mankind righteously in grace because of the work of His Son. We have an imputed righteousness, the righteousness of Christ. There is also righteousness that is to be put in practice in the daily lives of a Christian.

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly (not thoroughly) furnished unto all good works. This is the result. It has to do both with walk and ministering to the believers.

The daily practice of a believer who is a member of the Body of Christ is outlined in Ephesians chapters 4 to 6. Living a walk that is worthy of the calling of God.

Perfect in this verse II Tim. 3:17 means to be fitted, furnished means to be equipped. So one is to be fitted and equipped for every good work.

To make the message a little bit simpler, join the first part of the verse and the last part in this fashion, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Paul Griffitts, editor of the Good News Letter from Believer.com http://www.believer.com/goodnews/GNL.html

Believer.com is a Christian Bible Study Center http://www.believer.com

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Given that the bible used by most protestant denominations contain the same books, you would think your choices would come down to what kind of cover. Unfortunately choosing the right bible for your needs is a bit more complicated than that. First you much consider the issue of translation. I also want to give you a run down on different types of bibles and their uses. However most types are available in a variety of translations so we will tackle that first.

There is the King James Version, The New Living Translation, The Message, and many others. They all break down into two basic types. There are literal word for word translations. In these each word is individually translated from the original languages. This type of translation tends to be preferred by serious scholars, who are concerned with absolute accuracy. Some also love the beauty of the language in the older translations such as the King James Version. The are also what are called “sense of meaning ” translations. With these the translator(s) aim to get the main idea of what is being said, without matching the exact language. These translations tend to be in more modern language. For this reason they can be easier to understand, especially for new Christians.

Once you have settled on a translation then what ? Next I want to cover some of the main types of bibles you may encounter.

PLAIN VANILLA- these are just the scripture in your chosen translation. They are arranged by book, chapter, and verse just as most of us are familiar with.

RED LETTER- This type is often combined with the other types. In This type the actual words of Christ are printed in red. Many people find having the Lord’s own words highlighted in this way helps their study.

CHRONOLOGICAL- In this type the scripture is arranged in historical chronological order instead of book, chapter, and verse. This arrangement helps many people gain understanding how the different times and events of the bible relate to each other.

IN A YEAR- Most of these bibles are arranged in 365 convenient chunks. One for every day of the year ! Obviously these are designed for people who want a well planned way to read through the entire bible within a year.

PARALLEL BIBLES- These have more than one translation in parallel columns in the same book. I have one with four English translations side by side. You could also get an English/Spanish, or English? Vietnamese Bible for instance. These bibles are for people who want to see how scripture varies between translations. Sometimes seeing the same verse worded differently helps with understanding.

TOPICAL-In these bible the scripture is not arranged in the usual book, chapter, verse format. Instead everything is arranged by topic. All the verse on marriage together, the same with salvation, the church and so on. These bibles are handy for people who want to get all of what the bible says on a subject quickly.

STUDY BIBLES- These bibles contain not only scripture, but extra “helps” to aid your study. Such helps can include articles, maps, commentaries etc. They come in different forms. Some are aimed at the average Christian. Others are aimed at specific people such as couples. I even have one written specifically for counselors.

Many of these types are going to be appropriate for people who want and can afford two or more bibles. But I wanted you to better understand your options. That way you will be better prepared if your needs change. If you can only afford one bible, or are a new Christian, I would suggest a good study bible in a translation you can understand. I recommend a study bible, because the helps involved will help your understanding. It will also give you some of the advantage of other study tools until you can purchase larger separate versions of them.

Robert A. Crutchfield is president of Kingdom Relationship Ministries. He is a minister, public speaker, and success/relationships coach.He holds the Competent Leader Award from Toastmasters International, and is a Brainbench Certified Trainer. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Visit him online at http://www.kingdomrelationships.org

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Imagine for a moment that there is no God!

That we are just here. That we come into being and pass away and the rest of the human race after us carries our memories and in some cases our genes.

Is that such a bad thing? Is it so awful? Do we cease to have meaning? Cease to love one another any less? Cease to struggle?
Cease to care? Or do we start to just live moment by moment and understand that our actions, our words, our deeds are of our own making and therefore our responsibility.

Be remembered for what you do here! The reward is your life and the world you create, the memories and positve change your life causes. Don’t wait for the next life or heaven. Create it here!
Look at the world around you. There are many things that are wrong and need to change. Stop blaming God for them! Don’t expect divine intervention! We are the ones that inhabit this planet it is our responsibility.

Believe in yourself and the power you have to create change in the world around you. Start small, change happens person by person.Begin the revolution. Begin believing that God lives inside you and imagine that perfect part of yourself in others.

John Redvers runs a website called Letter to God.
Letter to God - Write a letter to God and read other peoples.
Write to God

http://www.lettertogod.net

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