Room 14 of 20

2 Timothy 3:16–17

All scripture

Verse

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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Why they use it

They say the Bible is complete and enough — no more scripture, no Restoration.

Why they are wrong

The scriptures Timothy had from a child were the Old Testament. If that closed the book, you have no New Testament.

Translation note

Greek: graphē (γραφή)

the sacred writings Timothy already knew

Verse 15: those writings make you wise unto salvation *through faith in Christ Jesus*. FAIR: if 3:16 locked the canon, the New Testament is the first book you have to throw out.

The room (aka the context)

Who wrote it: Paul.
Who is in the room: Timothy, who learned the holy writings on his mother’s knee.
Who is speaking: Paul, in prison, telling Timothy to stay in what he already knows.
What is going on: Verse 15 is the tell: from a child you have known the holy scriptures. That is Moses and the prophets — not a 27-book table of contents Timothy does not have yet.
What they already believe: Scripture is God-breathed and useful. They are not holding a leather Bible with maps.
How they would hear these words: All the sacred writings you have are profitable. Not “this is the only thing God will ever breathe,” and not “every later copy is inerrant.”

Clarifying verse

2 Timothy 3:15

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Same paragraph. Childhood scriptures = the Law and the Prophets. Useful, inspired, not a padlock. FAIR’s closed-canon answers start at verse 15.

Gal1:8 topic →

Sources

Mark it

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