What Good is the Bible?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

(II Timothy 3:16-17)

These two verses are packed full of great and wonderful truths. Let us look at them:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God,..."

The word "inspiration" means "God breathed". The scripture (the Bible) is given to us by God himself. All of it! There is a great war being waged today against God's word. There are different tactics that have been employed over time, but the war itself is not new. It has been going on ever since the devil first asked Eve: "Hath God said...?" (Genesis 3:1). You see, the devil wants to plant the seed of doubt in people's minds regarding the Bible and he has many people on this earth who are doing the best that they can to help him do just that. We are told that science has proven the Bible wrong, that men's biases appear in the writings, that there are contradictions and errors, that the miracles could not have occurred, and the list goes on and on. Many of these accusations are coming from churches that have turned their back upon God. It is true that there are contradictions and errors in the new translations, but the new translations are simply a part of the devil's tactics to cause division, confusion, and doubt (as any believer can see upon honest, prayerful examination of this subject). I simply believe that the Bible that I hold in my hands is inspired by God who cannot lie and who makes no mistakes. This is a position of faith that all of God's faithful servants adhered to throughout time

"and is profitable..."

God's word is profitable. We will see in the next sections specifically what it is profitable for, but it is important to understand that this profitability is something that is spiritually practical for us in this life. “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”

(Isaiah 48:17)

"for doctrine..."

The Bible is profitable for doctrine. Bible doctrine is simply the principles of truth contained within its pages. Bible doctrines include: the virgin birth of C Christ, the deity of Christ, the trinity, separation from sin and worldliness in all of its forms, the love of the brethren, the need to speak the truth in love, the inspiration of the scriptures, the headship of the man over the woman, the love of a husband for his wife, the completeness of the scriptures, salvation by grace through faith, the nature of eternal life, the authority of the church, proper discipline within the church, and the requirements for pastors and deacons. There are many, many more doctrines, all of which are profitable for God's people. Without God's doctrines (which we learn about in his Book) we have no foundation upon which to build our lives. “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”

(Romans 6:17)

"for reproof..."

The Bible is profitable for reproof. Reproof is solid conviction based upon the truths in the Bible. It is the evidence that proves something as fact. It is the final word on a subject. it is what causes a believer to live what he believes. As a preacher once said to those who weren't willing to live as God commands us to: "You need to get yourself some convictions instead of a bunch of sorry opinions!". “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”

(Proverbs 1:23)

"for correction..."

The Bible is profitable for correction. How many times have I needed to be corrected! When we slip into error we deprive ourselves of many of God's blessings. “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

(Proverbs 3:12)

"for instruction in righteousness:..."

The Bible is profitable for instruction. God is the master teacher and we are his students. A child does not need to be taught how to do wrong because this comes naturally to him. A child needs to be instructed to do right. So it is with God's children. “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.”

(Proverbs 4:13)

"That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”