What is your attitude toward reading God’s word?  The Psalmist was eager to read and study God’s word,

O how I love Your law!  It is my meditation all the day.  (Psalm 119:97)

How do I develop a love like that for God’s word?  See my post on “How to have a quiet time” for some helpful guidelines.  The Psalmist recognized the significant impact God’s word had in his life and the Apostle Paul enumerates the benefits of reading the Scriptures as he wrote to Timothy,

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  (2 Timothy 3:16)

The word “inspired” literally means to be “God breathed”.  As you read the Bible you must realize that God is speaking to you.  The first benefit he mentions is teaching.  The word teaching refers to the content of the  doctrine or instruction.  These are the precepts that keep you in a right relationship with God.

At times however,  we go may astray.  The Bible warns us when we’ve gotten off track with reproof.  This word,  ἐλεγμός (elegmos), was used as a legal term in the successful prosecution of a case bringing about a sense of conviction to the guilty party.  The emphasis is “. . . to show someone his sin and to summon him to repentance” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, II:474)

The Bible not only lets us know when we’ve gone astray, but it also teaches us how to get back on the proper track.  Correction implies the restoration to an upright or right state by enabling you to “put off” old habits and “put on” new practices.

Finally, Paul mentions training in righteousness.  The word training is the word παιδεία (paideia) which occurs six times in the New Testament.  It refers to the total life training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals).  For adults and children it includes training that cultivates the soul, especially by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.  It is instruction that aims at increasing virtue and may include chastisement or discipline.  This word occurs four times in the book of Hebrews and it is translated “discipline” (Hebrews 12:5, 7, 8, 11).

This verse may be represented by the following diagram,The result of reading and applying the Bible is revealed in the next verse,

so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.  (2 Timothy 3:17)

This is an amazing promise!  God’s word is able to equip you, the man or woman of God, for every good work.  Don’t neglect the tremendous resource that you have in God’s word.  Jay Adams presents an excellent application of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to interpersonal relationships in How to Help People Change.

Reading God’s word is a great way to start the day (you may want to see my post entitled “How to experience your best morning” for some ideas for starting the day).  The start of a new year is a great time to include Bible reading into your daily routine.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  (Colossians 3:16)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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