Profitable Pearls

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

Last week, we dug for treasure in 2 Timothy 3:16a (the beginning of the verse). Today we'll find some pearls on the profitability of Scripture in the rest of the verse.

Scripture is Profitable for Teaching

Teaching here is from a Greek word meaning instruction (the function or the information) and may also be translated as doctrine or learning. A doctrine is the set of beliefs or teaching that are held by a group. For us, Scripture is our valuable source of all the information we need to help us to understand what it means to be a Jesus follower.

Scripture is Profitable for Reproof

Reproof means rebuke, admonish, chastise, or convict. When I am in sin, doing my own thing rather than obeying Jesus, the Holy Spirit will use Scripture to point that out to me and to tell me to knock it off. (Psalm 139:23-24, Revelation 3:19) This is a much sterner warning than the correction we talk about next.

Scripture is Profitable for Correction

Correction is from a word that means “a straightening up again.” I like that image, like straightening a picture that’s hanging crookedly because somebody bumped the wall or slammed a door. Sometimes, I let the bumps and busyness of life get me off track in my walk with God. This usually comes in the form of neglecting or rushing through my daily reading and prayer times. The longer I stay off track, the worse my days seem to get; I lose my balance, i.e., the peace and contentment I have when I talk to my Father regularly. To correct my course, I need to spend quality time with Scripture. (Psalm 1:1-3, Joshua 1:8)

Scripture is Profitable for Training in Righteousness

Training (or instruction in some translations) has to do with the whole education of children; this includes general knowledge as well as how to behave. Righteousness is integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, or correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting; more simply put, righteousness is living to please and honor our Father in Heaven.

I want to point out here the difference between being righteous and living a life of righteousness. When we believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection and confess Him as Lord, we are saved from the penalty for our sin. From that moment, we are righteous, i.e., in a right relationship with God. Because we’re still humans, living in a world full of temptations, we have to make daily choices about how we will live. When we make choices that honor God, following his will (or desires) for us, we live a life of righteousness. Through God’s word, we learn how to make those godly choices. (Psalm 119:9, 11, 97-104)

Think About:

Which of these (teaching, reproof, correction, or training in righteousness) is the Holy Spirit highlighting for you today? What does this tell you about your walk with God?