When the apostle Paul wrote Timothy from prison in Rome, among the last words Paul would ever write, he said, “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:14-17).
Among the statements Paul makes are these:
1. Continue in the things you have learned.
2. From childhood you have known the sacred writings.
3. These sacred writings are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation.
4. This salvation must be based on faith which is in Christ Jesus.
5. All the sacred writings, which Paul calls “Scripture,” are inspired by God. That word “inspired” means “breathed out.” It refers to the breath of God, which we could also translate as the “Spirit of God.”
6. The sacred writings are profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.
7. If we follow the sacred writings, then we will be adequately prepared, properly equipped for every good work God requires of us.
So, how does the Bible prove itself to be “breathed out” by the breath or the Spirit of God?
We’ll look at that next week.
Paul Holland