Wednesday Bible Study: Paul's schoolhouse

Once again this week we return to the ever-dwindling 3:16's, this time in 2 Timothy- and I thought this was a fairly simple verse- and it is- but was amazed by the richness in it.  You may know it- and the following verse with which it goes- fairly well:

2Ti 3:16  All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 
2Ti 3:17  that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work. (MKJV)


This is the passage, of course that tells us that Scripture, as Peter says, doesn't come from man but God through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).  Easy stuff.  I just want to parse out what all the words meant to Paul as he wrote to his young pastor friend.

First, "God-breathed" or inspired by God.  This was a combination of 2 words, the first obviously being God.  The second though, translated "breathed", I think we get the impression of somebody blowing a gentle secret into the ear- and that would be a mistranslation.  The word used actually is the one for hard breathing, or even a breeze.    God isn't just gently in Scripture- he blows HARD into it, affecting every word, every nuance, every page.

Next up, doctrine.  This is basically, learning from the Master.  It's like your "Doctor of Theology degree", without going to seminary!

Then, reproof.  Sometimes I think we look at this word as "chew out", but it is not what Paul was going for.  Instead, it means to bring forth evidence that convicts you and convinces you- with the thought that you were somewhat going astray previously.

Uh-oh, here comes correction- that word we don't want to hear.  But listen to what it means!  It also comes from two words.  The first means "a superimposition", and the second is another compound word that means "straighten up".  I guess in today's lingo, it means "to straighten up and fly right"!  It imposes a straightening of your ways; if you believe as you read, you will obey, learn, and act differently.

Then comes "instruction in righteousness".  The word for instruction is the key here- it is the word used for "train up a child."  Thus, we see Paul is reminding Timothy that Scripture is a child's primer as well as a doctoral thesis- as you grow, it grows with you.

Finally, perfected and thoroughly furnished.  The words used for both bring in the concept of completeness.  It gives you all you need to do good works.

So perhaps one way to say this all is that Scripture is God forcing in everything you need:  Straightening you up, taking you through every lesson from cradle to grave, giving you all the evidence you need, and making your walk straight so you can do your best.  See? Simple.