What we believe influences the decisions we make. For example, if we believe vaccinations are good then we will receive them. But if we believe vaccinations are harmful then we won’t receive them. If we believe it is important to vote as an American citizen, then we will register to vote and we will vote when allowed to do so.
We could summarize this principle this way: what we believe influences our behavior. And because of this, what we as Christians believe about Scripture affects our behavior regarding what Scripture teaches. Two verses from Paul’s second letter to Timothy often inform our beliefs about Scripture.
Second Timothy was written by the apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome. However, this was different than the “prison letters” known as Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon which were written while Paul was under “house-arrest” in Rome. In 2 Timothy we learn from Paul that he is in prison once more (2 Tim 1:16-18), has been subjected to one trial (2 Tim 4:16), and the hour of his death was about to come (2 Tim 4:6).[1] Paul wrote 2 Timothy from the maritime prison, which was a wet, cold, and dark dungeon. While there is no biblical testimony about the death of Paul, the source closest to Paul’s death—Clement of Rome—wrote that Paul (and Peter) was persecuted and killed under Nero.[2]
It is with this context that Paul wrote, “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 3:16–17, NASB).[3]
In this context Paul was emphasizing the importance of Scripture in Timothy’s past (v. 15) as well as Timothy’s present and future ministries (vv. 16-17).
Pastor Charles Swindoll wrote about this verse, “It is the single most significant sentence in all the New Testament regarding the Scriptures, because it touches on the watershed issue of faith in our times. What you believe about the Bible influences everything you believe and affects every decision you make.”[4]
I think we could summarize these two verses like this: Scripture is supernaturally given by God for the sanctification of God’s people and preparation for ministry and life. It is my belief, based on these two verses, that an authentic disciple embraces God’s Word in his or her life.
In the coming weeks we’re going to study these two verses to see what we should believe about the Bible and how that belief influences every decision we make.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
- What have you heard other people say—whether good or bad—about Scripture?
- What do you believe about Scripture?
- What are some of your earliest memories of seeing or reading the Bible?
- Do you have any significant or important memories of God speaking to you through his Word?
- How has your life changed as a result of reading Scripture?
[1] Paul Barnett, Jesus and the Rise of Early Christianity (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1999), 342-343.
[2] 1 Clement 5:1-4:5 cited in Barnett, Jesus and Early Christianity, 343.
[3] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.
[4] Charles Swindoll, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary, vol. 11 (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2014), 239–240.