2 Timothy 3 16

2 Timothy 3:16 kjv

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 3:16 nkjv

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16 niv

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16 esv

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16 nlt

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

2 Timothy 3 verses

2 Timothy 3 16 Meaning

2 Timothy 3:16 declares that all Scripture is divinely inspired, meaning it originates from God Himself through His very breath. Because of its divine origin, it possesses inherent utility and serves as a powerful instrument for foundational instruction, exposing error, restoring righteousness, and guiding believers in ethical conduct. This multifaceted purpose aims to fully equip believers for every good work, enabling them to live a life pleasing to God.

2 Timothy 3 16 Context

2 Timothy 3 forms part of Paul’s final letter, written from Roman imprisonment, to his spiritual son Timothy, urging him to remain steadfast in faith and ministry. The preceding verses (2 Tim 3:1-9) describe the challenging "last days" marked by moral decay, selfish pursuits, and a superficial religiosity that resists truth. In contrast to these ungodly traits, Paul encourages Timothy to persevere in what he has learned (2 Tim 3:10-14), reminding him of the solid foundation of his spiritual upbringing, particularly the "sacred writings" (2 Tim 3:15) known from childhood. Verse 16 directly follows this, explaining why these sacred writings are trustworthy and beneficial, acting as a crucial defense against the surrounding deceit and ungodliness. The historical context reflects a growing church encountering various false teachings (e.g., Gnosticism) and facing external pressures. Paul emphasizes the divine authority and practical utility of Scripture as the indispensable guide for truth and righteous living, counteracting the prevailing intellectual and moral instability.

2 Timothy 3 16 Word analysis

• All Scripture: (Greek: pasa graphē, πᾶσα γραφή)

  • Word: "All" (pasa) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this truth, encompassing every portion of what is considered Holy Scripture. It is not limited to certain books, sections, or even types of literature. "Scripture" (graphe) was commonly used for the inspired writings, primarily the Old Testament, but also implying the nascent New Testament writings accepted as authoritative (cf. 2 Pet 3:16 where Peter refers to Paul's letters as "Scriptures").
  • Significance: This universal declaration underlines the full inspiration and authority of the entire biblical canon as it was understood and forming in the early church.

• is God-breathed: (Greek: theopneustos, θεόπνευστος)

  • Word: This is a compound adjective from theos (God) and pneō (to breathe or blow).
  • Significance: It signifies divine origin and power. It does not mean "inspired" in the human sense (e.g., an artist's inspiration), but rather that Scripture is the very "out-breathing" or exhalation of God. This points to direct divine authorship and active superintendence, guaranteeing the truthfulness, authority, and freedom from error of the text in its original form. It contrasts divine communication with human ideas, establishing the Word as supernaturally originated. The concept echoes Gen 2:7, where God breathed into Adam the breath of life, imparting existence; here, God breathes His truth into written form.

• and: (Greek: kai, καὶ)

  • Word: Simple conjunction, "and," connecting two concepts.
  • Significance: It emphasizes that the profitability of Scripture is directly tied to its "God-breathed" nature. It's not "God-breathed and also profitable," but rather, because it is God-breathed, it is profitable. Its divine origin inherently guarantees its usefulness for spiritual life.

• profitable: (Greek: ōphelimos, ὠφέλιμος)

  • Word: Means beneficial, advantageous, useful, helpful.
  • Significance: This term underscores the practical and constructive purpose of the divine Word. It’s not just for intellectual exercise, but for tangible impact on the life of the believer. It actively serves a purpose for spiritual growth and transformation.

• for teaching: (Greek: pros didaskalian, πρὸς διδασκαλίαν)

  • Word: Didaskalian refers to doctrine, instruction, what is taught.
  • Significance: Scripture reveals foundational truths about God, humanity, salvation, and eternity. It instructs believers in sound doctrine, setting the standard for belief and behavior. It counters error by providing clarity and accuracy.

• for reproof: (Greek: pros elegmon, πρὸς ἐλεγμόν)

  • Word: Elegmon implies conviction, rebuke, exposure of error or sin.
  • Significance: Scripture actively convicts and reveals what is false or sinful. It holds up a mirror to the soul, exposing wrongdoing and wrong thinking, necessary for spiritual self-assessment and correction.

• for correction: (Greek: pros epanorthōsin, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν)

  • Word: Epanorthōsin means restoration, setting straight, putting right what is wrong. It suggests amendment and rehabilitation.
  • Significance: Beyond merely exposing error (elegmon), Scripture also provides the means and pathway for restoration. It doesn't just show the problem; it directs to the solution, helping the believer turn from wrong practices or beliefs back to the righteous path.

• for training in righteousness: (Greek: pros paideian tēn en dikaiosynē, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ)

  • Word: Paideia denotes education, upbringing, discipline, or training, often with the nuance of corrective training of children. Dikaiosynē means righteousness, right standing with God, moral uprightness.
  • Significance: Scripture systematically instructs and disciplines believers to conform to God's moral standards. It guides the formation of character, promoting consistent ethical living that reflects God's own righteousness. This is a continuous process of growth in holy living.

Words-group analysis

• "All Scripture is God-breathed": This phrase serves as the bedrock principle of biblical authority and inspiration. It asserts that the entire canon of Scripture is derived directly from God, bearing His own life and character. This makes it intrinsically reliable, true, and authoritative for all matters of faith and life. It establishes divine origin as the prerequisite for all subsequent uses.
• "and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness": This is a powerful, comprehensive list of the practical applications and benefits of divinely inspired Scripture. These four purposes illustrate a progression:
  1. Teaching: Establishes the right foundation of truth (what is right).
  2. Reproof: Identifies deviation from that truth (what is not right).
  3. Correction: Provides the means to remedy the deviation (how to get right).
  4. Training in righteousness: Develops habitual righteous living (how to stay right and grow).Together, they show how God's Word actively nurtures and matures a believer into spiritual maturity and readiness for service.

2 Timothy 3 16 Bonus section

The term theopneustos (God-breathed) is unique in the New Testament to 2 Timothy 3:16. Its distinctiveness highlights the exceptional character of the Scriptures. This single word encapsulates the doctrine of inspiration, conveying that God is the ultimate author, actively working through human agents to produce a flawless and authoritative message. The structure of the four uses ("teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness") is progressive and mutually reinforcing. Teaching establishes truth, reproof exposes deviation, correction sets things right, and training cultivates ongoing right living. This shows the holistic, living, and dynamic effect of the inspired Word on the believer's entire life and character. The order underscores the transformative journey from initial learning to lifelong ethical practice, ensuring that the Christian is "competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:17).

2 Timothy 3 16 Commentary

2 Timothy 3:16 is a foundational declaration of the nature and purpose of God's Word. Its central claim, "all Scripture is God-breathed (theopneustos)," establishes the divine origin and therefore absolute authority and infallibility of the Bible. This concept of God "breathing out" His Word signifies not just a human effort assisted by God, but that God is the primary source, conveying His own truth and nature through the human authors. Because the Bible is divinely authored, it possesses inherent utility, articulated in a fourfold way. Firstly, it is "profitable for teaching," providing foundational doctrines and sound instruction to correctly understand God and His will. Secondly, it is "for reproof," actively revealing error, sin, and false paths, exposing the flaws in our thinking and behavior. Thirdly, it is "for correction," offering the pathway back to righteousness, amending wrong ways, and setting the believer back on the right track. Finally, it is "for training in righteousness," nurturing and disciplining the believer towards a lifestyle of conformity to God's ethical standards. These four facets comprehensively cover the transformative power of Scripture, equipping believers in a practical and holistic manner for lives that glorify God, leading directly into the verse's final conclusion in 2 Tim 3:17 about the complete equipping of the believer for every good work.