My dad and I memorized 2 Timothy 3:16-17. They are verses I have held with me for most of my life. I memorized them in Birmingham, Alabama when I was seven.

They begin, “All scripture is God-breathed.” As a child, I was thrilled with the image of the breath of God. So many times in my life I have opened scripture to directly feel God’s prompting to my need, question, or struggle. 

I trust this implicitly because I had a deeply loving earthly father, a trustworthy earthly father helped me believe I could rely on the Word of God to be life giving. 

In these verses, Timothy goes on to say scripture does four remarkable things. It is useful for teaching, reproving, correcting, and training in righteousness.  

Why are they remarkable? The verses give the answer. “So” is a key word. Dad always taught me to slow down when I saw the word “so.”  

Timothy tells us the usefulness of scripture is “so that” we will be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

Incredible right?! 

Scripture provides the equipment, preparation, and readiness for us to do good work. 

How I desire to do good work! I want to be a dear and beloved wife, a wise and trusted mom, a loving, and devoted worker for the Lord. 

If this is the wanted outcome, time with scripture is needed to equip me to be these things. 

How can I let what I read teach me, even reprove me, correct, and train me?

I don’t love words that have historically been used to abuse. In some translations, the word reprove is translated as rebuke. Rebuke is one of those horrible words used throughout the centuries often by cruel people to justify meanness. Reproof is a more accurate translation of the Greek. Rebuke is Old English and means to beat back. But reprove means to test or prove. This discipline word is not intended to condemn us but to bring wrongdoing to light for the purpose of repentance. It is meant to restore us.  

Does scripture need to show me where I am out of alignment or missing the mark? What is God asking me to bring to the light of confession and healing?

How about you? What stands out to you in these verses? Does anything strike a chord that brings up pain over past mistreatment at the hands of those who claim to be following God?  Does anything breathe life and hope into you?

How lovely it is to trust a deeply loving God to speak to us through His radiant Word. 

“All scripture is God- breathed and useful for teaching, reproving, correcting, and training in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” –