When Paul wrote to Timothy regarding Scripture, He introduced it with a prophetic end-time warning and the outcome of two heathens who opposed Moses.

In his warning, Paul completely shows the character of end-time heathens is depraved and burdened with sins and are to be avoided. They are depraved and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

“But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women weighed down by [the burden of their] sins, easily swayed by various impulses, always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres [the court magicians of Egypt] opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, unqualified and worthless [as teachers] in regard to the faith. But they will not get very far, for their meaningless nonsense and ignorance will become obvious to everyone, as was that of Jannes and Jambres.” 2 Timothy 3:1-9 AMP.

Now Paul turns to the benefits God-breathed Scripture produces when it is taught, read. and applied. It shows in our character by God’s work in our lives and makes us wise for salvation through faith in Messiah Jesus.

“You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance, my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:10-15 (Hebrews 4:12–16)

Paul concludes: All Scripture is God-breathed and shows how it is useful when taught and applied.

“All Scripture (graphē) is God-breathed (theopneustos) and is useful (ōphelimo), for instruction (didaskalian), for conviction (elegmon), for correction (epanorthōsin), and for training (paideian), in righteousness (dikaiosynē), so that the man/or woman of God may be complete (artios), fully equipped for every good (agathon) work (ergon).” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Let’s give that another read in the Amplified Bible.

“But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness].
All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately–behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the [a] man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 1 Timothy 3:14-17 See footnote [a].

Do any of those who stand before you in your church use God-breathed Scripture for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that you be complete, fully equipped for every good work?

Or, do they just cater to the congregation’s desires and avoid making waves? (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

[a] I.e. all believers whether man, woman, or child.

~ Bill Bremer

Bill Bremer is Founder and Managing Director at Kingdom Relationships Colorado.

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