2 Timothy 3 - What Do You Need the Bible For?

2 Timothy 3 - NIV

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We know from 2 Timothy 1, that Timothy was greatly influenced by his mother Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. In Acts 16, we learn that Eunice was a Jewish believer, and Timothy's father was a Gentile. We don't here anything more about him, but we do know that Timothy's grandmother, Lois, also played a major role in his Christian upbringing. 

Paul reminds us that Timothy was brought up to know the scriptures even from infancy, which could mean either an infant or young child. In either case, Timothy's mom and grandmom didn't wait until he was older to teach him the bible, which for them was the Old Testament. Since they were believers in Christ, they would have connected the Old Testament to passages relating to Jesus the Messiah to him to lead him to faith in Jesus. 

This reminds us that it is nevrer too early to teach our kids the truths of the bible. We know they are going to be taught many things in school, on the playground and through their "smart phones". This is especially true if they go to public school, as I know Christian schools are a tremendous ally in raising our kids in the faith. 

So as parents and grandparents and other influencers, we need to play a significant role in our kid's faith journey and development. Though someone can come to faith in the church or in other ways, the best way is to learn it from your family, where faith is lived out every day. 

Paul points out that the primary purpose of the bible is to "make us wise unto salvation". I.e. The primary purpose is to lead us to saving faith in Jesus. Though the primary purpose of God's Word is to lead us into an eternal relationship with the Father through His Son, it is also a faithful and reliable source for all other issues that we face in life.

Paul says that the scriptures are "God-breathed". There have been lots of arguments in the church over the years as to what this means. Some think this means that every word in the bible has been given to the human writers directly from God, and that we should not change one word. We often call this the "inerrant" to interpreting scripture, which means "without error". 

One issue is since the bible is written in ancient Greek or Hebrew, we have had many translations of the bible. These are often very different in their translations. So if we don't have the original manuscripts of the bible and we can never be sure we are completely accurate in how we have translated them in our language (ie. English) we don't really have an inerrant bible. 

Those who don't fall into the literal camp, generally would says this means the bible is "infallible". This means when interpreted properly, the bible will never "fail" to lead us in the way of the truth. This method relies more on using intepretive principles to determine the context of any given passage. 

The context would include the type of literary genre (history, poetry, parables), the historical context it was written (For instance, a big one in the New Testament was it written before or after the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.  In the Old Testament the question is often is it "pre-exillic" or "post excillit". The Babylonian exile took place in 586 B.C.),, and finally the theme and purpose of the writer. I.e. Paul addressed his letters to different churches for different specific purposes.  

The 4 gospels had 4 different audiences as well and their are apparent differences in some details or the order of events. Bible scholars in the literal camp go to great lengths to explain these differences. But if you hold the "infallible view" then you don't have to go to all kinds of lengths to make harmonize these scritpures. 

I like the idea of going with the "plain reading" of Scripture. I.e. You don't have to be a biblical scholar to read the bible. You don't need to know Greek and Hebrew or every interpretive nuance. I don't think it needs to be that complicated. If you read the Word seeking to meet God, you will find him! 

It's interesting that within my own Lutheran church, each denomination holds a different or slightly view of the authority of the bible. I.e. LCMS is strictly "inerrant" and my denomination LCMC is "infallbible". The NALC seems to hold both somehow. 

At the end of the day I think we can get overly consumed by these nuances. Isn't the main issue that God inspired these scriptures, and therefore we can trust them in area of our lives. Most imporant is the truth of the gospel and that it actually happened in human history. I.e. It wasn't a nice little story. 

If the primary purpose of the bible is to "make us wise unto salvation" then at the heart of bible, and specifically the 4 gospels, is literal and historical life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And on these facts, the bible is either true or false. 

But Timothy did learn about Jesus through the scriptures, and his mother and grandmother were faithful to pass it on to him. Thus, he could be confident it was true. Paul also taught him these same scriptures. Importantly, all three of them lived out the scripture by their own examples. They had an authentic faith backed up by a life which gave evidence or fruit of their faith. 

Over the years, generally speaking the culture has sought to disprove the bible or water it down. The third view of scripture after "inerrant" and "infallible" would be what we saw the "liberal/progressive" view. Many mainline denominations and specifically churches within those denominations have adopted this stance either explicitly or implicityly. What is this view?

The liberal and progressive view the bible as a story that offers us moral teaching and guidance. I.e Inspired human wisdom.  Many narratives in the Bible (such as early Genesis creation accounts) are read as metaphor, myth, or poetry that convey spiritual truths rather than literal, scientific, or historical reportage.

Back to our text! Paul urged Timothy to rely on these scriptures as he led the church in Ephesus. They were relevant for every area of his leadership: teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training. When Timothy suffered, as Paul predicted he would, the scripture's promises would sustain his faith, give him peace and assurance through the power the Holy Spirit. 

Who influenced you to know and learn the bible? A parent, teacher, friend, or pastor? 

How did it make you "wise unto salvation"? I.e. Brought you to faith in Jesus!

Who are some others you could teach it to, starting in your own family? 

I give you kudos for reading my daily bread blog. I hope it helps you to learn the power and purpose of the Holy Scritures, and how it will never lead you astray when you seek the truth in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Heavenly Father, thank you for inspiring your people to write the bible the through Your inspiriation through the Holy Spirit. Thank you that they have led us to Your Son, Jesus. Help us to abide in Your word so that we can remain in Christ and bear much fruit. Fruit that will last! Amen.