Sunday Devotional: 2 Timothy 3:17

… so that the man of God may be prepared, equipped for every good work.

This week we conclude our examination of 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Over the past couple of weeks we have seen how Scripture is God-breathed, and given for the purpose of teaching, conviction, correction, and instruction in righteousness. This week Paul gives the ultimate purpose of the training we receive from God’s word.

First, we notice that Paul directs the benefits of Scripture to “the man of God.” Someone who does not fit this description, a non-Christian, will not receive the benefits of this training. And why would he or she want to? Since non-Christians don’t accept the Bible as God-breathed, they are hardly going to submit to its instruction, especially not its discipline.

So the various benefits of Scripture are so the man of God may be “prepared.” I translated the Greek word artios this way because I felt this best conveyed the sense of the word. The range of meanings include “complete,” “capable,” and “proficient.” In this context, I get the idea of the man of God having everything he needs (note: “man” here, anthrôpos, is gender-neutral even though I’m using the masculine pronoun for convenience). If he is taught by Scripture, chastened by Scripture, set straight by Scripture, and instructed in righteousness by Scripture, he is ready.

Ready for what? “Equipped for every good work,” says Paul. From the previous context, I understand “every good work” in the sense of living a “godly life in Christ Jesus” (3:12) despite the threat of persecution and deception by false teachers. Good works would include those acts we would normally think of (helping those in need, putting others before oneself), but I believe they would also include devotion to the Lord, prayer, evangelism, teaching the Scriptures, and conducting oneself in a manner worthy not simply of the praise of men, but of Christ Himself.

It’s easy to think of Scripture, the Bible, as just a book that tells us stories and gives us advice. But it is so much more than that. It is God’s word given to us to help us, to strengthen us, and to prepare us fully for whatever life may throw at us. Notice that it equips us for “every good work.” The Bible is sufficient for this task. It doesn’t mostly equip us, and it doesn’t equip us for some or most good works. Scripture equips us for every good work. Let us be thankful that the Lord has given us this precious gift, that we might know Him, and know how we may best serve Him.