“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.”
(2 Timothy 3:16)
How many times have we read a passage of Scripture and walked away puzzled, wondering why certain verses were included in God’s eternal Word? Some texts may seem obscure to us, even strange, and yet Paul reminds us that all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus Himself emphasized that not even the smallest stroke of God’s Law is without significance (Matthew 5:18). Every word, every phrase, every passage has been divinely chosen and placed with purpose, whether we immediately understand it or not.
As finite beings, we often desire Scripture to be instantly clear, easily digestible, and fully comprehensible. But God, in His wisdom, has given us Scripture that requires meditation, study, and the illumination of His Spirit. His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9), and sometimes, in the mystery of His Word, He invites us to a deeper dependence on Him. If every passage were immediately grasped, where would be the pursuit of knowing Him more? Where would be the refining process of seeking, wrestling, and discovering the hidden riches of His truth?
One day, in glory, we will no longer need the written Word as we do now. Faith will become sight, and we will behold Christ in His fullness. In eternity, we will continually grow in the knowledge of God, not through the pages of a book but by standing in His very presence. Yet here, in this present world, the Bible is our anchor, our light, and our teacher. It is the lamp for our feet and the guide for our journey (Psalm 119:105).
Whether Scripture is easy to understand or difficult to grasp, it remains the perfect revelation of God (though Christ is the final and perfect revelation of God to men, and He will continue to be such not only on this earth but also in heaven).[1]
His Word to us, in this life, is complete, unchanging, and sufficient for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Even the passages that perplex us now are filled with divine wisdom, waiting to be uncovered through prayer, study, and the working of the Holy Spirit. May we never treat any part of Scripture as insignificant but treasure every word as the revelation of the infinite God to finite creatures.
Contemplations
- The Mystery and Majesty of Scripture. There are passages in God’s Word that leave me in awe, unable to fully grasp their meaning. Yet I take comfort in knowing that Scripture is not meant to be mastered in a moment but mined over a lifetime. The deep things of God are revealed to those who seek Him with diligence. Help me not consider my Bible as some quick reference guide for life, but rather approach it with reverence, ready to uncover the treasures waiting for me within its pages.
- The Word That Shapes My Life. The Scriptures are given for doctrine, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Every verse serves a purpose in my sanctification. When I encounter a difficult passage, do I set it aside in frustration, or do I press in, trusting that God has placed it there for my growth? Help me allow Your Word to search me, convict me, and change me.
- The Eternal Relevance of God’s Word. The Bible is not an ancient relic but the living, breathing Word of God, as relevant today as when it was first given. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Do I recognize its power in my daily life? Am I allowing Scripture to shape my thoughts, my speech, and my decisions?
- A Longing to Know Him More. One day, I will stand in the presence of Christ and see Him face to face. Until then, His Word is my greatest means of knowing Him. Do I hunger for Scripture as I ought? Do I cherish even the passages that challenge me? Lord, increase my desire to know You through Your Word, that I may delight in all that You have revealed.
Prayer
O Lord, Your Word is perfect, pure, and enduring. It is given by Your very breath, a divine gift to guide, teach, and sanctify me. Not one word of it is wasted, not one stroke unnecessary. You have spoken, and Your voice echoes through every page of Scripture, revealing Your wisdom, justice, mercy, and holiness. How unsearchable are Your judgments, O God! How vast the depth of Your knowledge! I praise You for the unfathomable riches contained in Your Word.
Yet in my weakness, I confess that I do not always approach Your Word as I ought. Too often I skim the surface when You call me to dwell in the depths. I grow impatient when understanding does not come quickly, rather than seeking You with diligence and humility. Forgive me, Lord, for treating any portion of Your Word lightly. Forgive me for approaching Scripture as a task rather than as a means of communion with You.
Thank You for the light of Your truth, for the way Your Word instructs my heart and leads my steps. Thank You for revealing Yourself in ways that even my finite mind can comprehend. And thank You for the passages that remain beyond my full understanding, for they remind me that You are God and I am not. They humble me, they draw me deeper, they teach me to trust You even when I do not fully grasp Your ways.
Lord, I ask that You stir within me a greater hunger for Your Word. Let me not approach it with a casual heart but with reverence and expectation. Open my eyes to behold wondrous things from Your law. Let me love Your statutes, meditate on Your precepts, and walk in Your truth. May Your Word dwell in me richly, shaping my thoughts, directing my actions, and filling my heart with the knowledge of You.
O God, let me never grow weary of seeking You in Your Word. Let me never consider any portion of it dull or irrelevant. Let me trust that You have spoken with purpose, that I may receive every word with faith, knowing that it is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Draw me closer to You, Lord, that I may reflect Your truth and live in the fullness of Your revelation.
In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
Further References for 2 Timothy 3:16
Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:21; Psalm 19:7; Acts 1:16, 28:25; Titus 3:8
[1] Loraine Boettner, Studies in Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1947), 206.
