“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” (2 Tim. 3:16)
How many times have you read a passage of Scripture and been left thinking “I don’t have a clue what that passage means,” or “wonder why God would include such an obscure passage in His eternal Word to us?”
Yet Paul writes, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” (2 Tim. 3:16). And Christ Himself said that not even one “jot” (the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet) or “tittle” (the smallest stroke in a Hebrew letter) is insignificant in regard to God’s Law (Matt. 5:18). In other words, every word… even down to its particular tense and usage… is perfectly placed and divinely chosen – whether that understanding is lost on us or not.
As a writer and editor, my constant concern is that my point is as clear as I can make it. Why wouldn’t God want to do the same? When I contemplate who God is in all His majesty and supremacy and God-ness, He brings several thoughts to mind.
Consider that in heaven we will no longer need Scripture. We will see the fullness of God in the face of Jesus Christ and faith will be made sight. In heaven we will continually grow in the knowledge of who God is, delightfully worshipping at Jesus’ feet while the full radiance of God’s glory fills eternity. Throughout all eternity our understanding of our great God continues to grow in its purity and excellence.
However, now, while in our sinful state and with a mind tainted with remaining sin – I can yet praise God, because as God He possesses infinite knowledge, beauty, and glory which is communicated to me through His Word!
I praise God for the entirety of His word, even in his obscure passages. I praise Him for His clear and understandable Word. And I praise Him for those passages that are yet discoverable as I meditate, ponder and contemplate who He is as evidenced in His Word to me.
- Lord, Scripture alone has been prescribed by You as the rule for me to follow if I am to live holy before You (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21), and due to the nature and holiness of its contents, it could not be revealed and prescribed by anyone but You.
- Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, according to the psalmist (Psa. 119:105). Everything I need to know to live well I find in Your Word. For that reason, I should apply myself to learn it. Your Scripture should be known and clear to me, otherwise, how can I expect to be able to follow and abide by the eternal Word of God?
- Your Word, Lord, is constant and unchangeable, always and everywhere consistent. Like You, it is the same yesterday, today and forever. And it is powerful and effective to do Your work in my heart (Heb. 4:12).
- Lord, Your Word may not be added to or taken from in even the least bit because, like You, it is perfect and complete as it is. As such, there is nothing outside of Your complete Word that I need to believe in or follow; Scripture prescribes for me everything I need concerning life and living for God (2 Tim. 3:16; Rom. 15:4).
- Lord, Your Word is also essential and effective for solving controversies that arise among believers and for leading Your church. It is also prescribed by the public authority of God (Ps. 147:19-20; Rom. 3:2), and received by common consent, at least of the Christian church, which is perhaps why the church is called the “pillar and ground of the truth,” (1 Tim. 3:15). Help me abide by its truths and allow Your Spirit to work such truths into my soul for my good.
Further References for 2 Tim. 3:16
Rom. 15:4; 2 Peter 1:21; Ps. 19:7; Acts 1:16, 28:25; Titus 3:8
