All Scripture is God-Breathed

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

When you read the Bible, you’re not just reading some traditions from the past. You’re not reading some pious thoughts from wise people of long ago. You’re certainly not reading myths. When you read the Bible, do you realize what you’re reading? The Word of God! “All Scripture is God-breathed.”

How much? “All.” How much is included in “all”? Every single word. Every single word of the Bible is the Word of God: The stories, the poetry, the genealogies, the songs, the visions, the promises, the prophecies…

All Scripture is God-breathed. Every word came from the mouth of God. Just like an expert musician can blow her air through a trumpet, a saxophone, and a flute and make different, yet equally beautiful sounds from each, so God breathed his Word into human instruments and produced the masterpiece that we call the Bible. When you read the Bible, you’re reading the true words of God himself.

Those words don’t just impart useful information. They are written with a purpose. They are “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” God’s words have the power to change us.

They teach us. There’s no way we could know about God’s grace—his undeserved love—without the Bible. There’s no way we could imagine God’s plan to save us through faith in Jesus without his Word.

They rebuke us. There’s no way we could comprehend the depths of our sin without the Bible. There’s no way we could admit how corrupt our thoughts and words and actions are without God’s Word.

They correct us. There’s no way we could truly repent of our sins without the Bible. There’s no way we would ever want to turn from sin and live for God and his glory without the Word of God.

They train us in righteousness. There’s no way we could believe that people are declared righteous in God’s sight through faith in Jesus without the Scriptures. There’s no way we would be motivated to live righteous lives in line with God’s commands without his Word.

So pick it up. Read it. Go to church. Attend Bible study. Why wouldn’t we? God has graciously placed into our hands his Word. What a gift! All Scripture is God-breathed.

Dear Lord, please forgive me for treating your Word like the words of people. Instead of ignoring or avoiding or even denying your Word, use it every day to teach, rebuke, correct, and train me. Amen.

Pastor Nathan