Bible Study Articles By Encourager Mom
The Importance of the Old Testament
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 (ESV)
Paul refers to "all Scripture" as being profitable. It struck me as I was reading this that the only Scripture Paul had access to at this time was the Old Testament as much of the New Testament had not yet been written. R.C. Sproul in his study notes on this verse in the Reformation Study Bible states this fact.
Wow! That means that the Old Testament is seriously important. It is tempting at times for me to want to focus on the New Testament writings as more relevant or accessible. How untrue that is!
It is only by understanding God's redemptive plan through history that I am able to fully benefit from God's word. By reading how our Lord's coming was prophesied through history, I understand the purpose of Jesus' ministry.
The verse prior to 2 Timothy 3:16 refers to "...the sacred writings; which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ." How amazing that through the Scriptures of the Old Testament, I can know that Jesus is Lord and have faith in him and trust him for my salvation.
I will read the OT with a deepened perspective of its importance now.
Setting The Scene
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 (ESV)
I talked with a friend yesterday about the location of an upcoming Bible study. Neither of us was familiar with the suburb where the study will be held.
I went to Google maps and put in the name of the city and I was given a close-up of the area in which the city is located.
This did not help us at all! We still did not have a sense of how far away the study was because we could not see it in relation to where we live.
This experience reminded me of looking at Scripture quotes out of context and attempting to study them. I added so much depth to my study of God's word when I started taking the time to find out more about the historical context, author and intent of the book of the Bible in which a particular Scripture verse is located.
I would like to give a brief background here on 2 Timothy but I encourage you to more fully explore this on your own with a good commentary or study Bible.
2 Timothy, written by Paul during his second Roman imprisonment, is the last letter written by Paul. Paul is aware that his martyrdom is imminent and he had been abandoned by his friends.
Timothy was a young believer who traveled with Paul as he was establishing churches and was later anointed to be a pastor-teacher in his own right. Timothy was left in Ephesus by Paul and it was there that this letter was sent.
The purpose of the letter is to encourage and support Timothy in his ministry.
The message of the letter is timeless, however, can be applied to believers today as well.
What Is So Great About Bible Study?
One great thing about the Bible is that it contains the revelations of the omnipotent, omnipresent God of the universe. How do we know that Scripture is from God?
According to Matthew Henry in his commentary on 2 Timothy 3:16 and surrounding, the Bible itself speaks to its wondrous origins. Henry points to:
-the majesty of its style
-the truth, purity and sublimity of the doctrines contained in it
-from the harmony of its several parts
-from its power and efficacy on the minds of multitudes that converse with it
-from the accomplishment of many prophecies
-from the uncontrollable miracles
Thank you God for revealing yourself and your truth to me through the Bible.
What Is So Great About Bible Study? Part 2
Scripture is useful to us in helping us to become Christ-like and glorify God with our lives if we study it diligently.
We learn this from 2 Timothy 3:14-17, the key Scripture for this blog:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Matthew Henry's commentary on this verse summarizes the uses of Scripture for us:
-It makes us wise to salvation through faith
-It is profitable for-- doctrine (teaching)
--reproof (tell of faults)
--correction (guidance)
--instruction in righteousness
-Makes us competent, finished to do God's will (Romans 12:2 -Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
-Furnished for every good work
Henry summarizes the passage this way:
Whatever duty we have to do, whatever service is required from us, we may find enough in the Scriptures to furnish us for it.
What Is So Great About Bible Study? Part 3
In reading Matthew Henry's commentary on 2 Timothy 3:16 and surrounding, I came across a beautifully moving and majestic discourse on the wonders of God's word.
I provide some excerpts below:
-Scripture is excellent, given by inspiration of God, God's word, divine revelation.
-The same Spirit that breathed reason into us breathes revelation among us.
-The same God that created us capable of knowing also created the way by which we could know him, the Scriptures.
Oh what a mighty God we serve! He has truly thought of everything and will continue to draw us to himself.