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)
This is a very well-known, and often quoted, piece of scripture. But, this piece of scripture creates a logical conflict with popular doctrine.
Popular doctrine teaches that most of the Bible is null and void. We’re told “The Law” is no longer applicable, and this argument comes in several forms such as follow:
- Jesus ‘fulfilled” The Law, meaning he brought it to an end so it’s now defunct.
- Jesus obeyed The Law for us, meaning he did it so now we don’t have to.
- The Law was only ever given to The Jews, meaning if you’re not a biological Jew you never had to obey it.
There are other doctrinal arguments against The Law, but they all work towards the same aim…to convince Christians that God’s Law is void, non-binding, and we are under no obligation to obey it. And therein lies the logical conflict.
If most of the Bible is now null and void
Then, not all scripture can be used to teach, prove, correct, or train people.
But
If all scripture is authoritative for teaching, proving, correcting and training
Then, no portion of scripture can be null and void.
So, how do we reconcile these two positions? Both positions are mutually exclusive, meaning they cannot both be true. Either one is true and the other false, or both are false. All scripture cannot be profitable for teaching, proving, correcting, and training if most of scripture is inapplicable to our lives and we’re free to disobey it.
Defining Terms
Before we can test both positions and resolve the logical dilemma, we must understand exactly what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is saying. Since 2 Timothy was written in Greek, we must go back to the Greek language to correctly study and understand the terms.
Teaching
διδασκαλίαν (didaskalian) — Teaching, instruction
This means all scripture is authoritative and reliable as a source of knowledge, truth, and guidance. Any portion of scripture can be used to teach the person of God so that he or she can understand God’s will and requirements for our lives.
Reproof
ἐλεγμόν (elegmon) — Proof, evidence, or inner conviction
This means all scripture is evidence of spiritual truths and concepts. Any portion of scripture can be used to convince the person of God or provoke an inward conviction of righteousness or sin.
Correction
ἐπανόρθωσιν (epanorthosin) — Correction, to make straight, to restore to proper condition
This means all scripture is binding and enforceable for correcting people when they deviate from truth or righteousness. Any portion of scripture can be applied to straighten out a person of God who has gone off course, who has sinned, and who needs to be restored to proper relationship with God.
Training
παιδείαν (paideian) — Training, tutoring, to train or rear a child to maturity. By implication, disciplinary correction or chastisement.
This means all scripture is applicable for training one in living and acting righteously. Any portion of scripture can be used to train disciples to grow, to mature, and to obey the instructions and commandments of God.
Testing the Concept
Now that we’ve identified the dilemma and defined terms, we can test portions of scripture against 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to see how doctrine and scripture reconcile with one another.
Witness 1: Leviticus 11
Leviticus chapter 11 contains God’s dietary instructions regarding clean and unclean animals. This portion of scripture tells us what animals are regarded as food and may be eaten; and, it tells us what animals are not acceptable for consumption and whose carcasses we should not handle.
One animal God declared unclean, and forbidden to be eaten, is the pig. If a Christian eats pig, can Leviticus 11 be used to prove that pigs are unclean and God forbade us to eat them? Can Leviticus 11 be used to correct or discipline the Christian who eats pig meat? Can Leviticus 11 be used to train disciples in righteousness, teaching them they are never to eat pigs?
Most mainstream Christians would balk at the idea that Leviticus 11 is binding, they can be corrected or disciplined for violating it, and disciples should be trained to obey it. Common Christian doctrine teaches Leviticus 11 was only given to the Jews, it only applied to the Old Covenant, God never intended “The Church” to obey Leviticus 11, Jesus said we can eat anything we want, or Jesus obeyed Leviticus 11 so now we don’t have to…
This creates a logical dilemma:
If we don’t have to obey Leviticus 11
And, if we won’t suffer the consequences for disobeying Leviticus 11
Then it’s not possible to use Leviticus 11 to correct anyone
If the common doctrinal understanding of Leviticus 11 is true, then 2 Timothy 3:16-17 must be false. Why? Because we have a portion of scripture that is not profitable for training people, proving God’s will, correcting people who break it, or raising disciples to live righteous lives.
On the other hand, if 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is true then the common doctrinal belief that Leviticus 11 is now null and void must be false. Why?
If all scripture is authoritative for training, correcting, and raising disciples
And, if Leviticus 11 is scripture
Then Leviticus 11 must still be binding on us today
Witness 2: Leviticus 23
Leviticus 23 outlines God’s sabbaths and holy days including: The seventh-day Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Shavuot (Pentecost), Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. In this chapter of scripture, God commands us to observe His holy days, when His holy days occur, and how His holy days are to be observed. Other portions of scripture provide additional details on God’s holy days.
If a Christian fails to observe God’s holy days, can Leviticus 23 be used to prove he or she is breaking God’s commandments? Can Leviticus 23 be used to correct or discipline the Christian who fails to keep God’s holy days?
Again, most mainstream Christians would say no. And, this creates the same dilemma as before:
If we don’t have to obey Leviticus 23
And, if we won’t suffer the consequences for disobeying Leviticus 23
Then, it’s not possible to use Leviticus 23 to correct anyone
Once more, we would have to conclude 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is false. Why? Because we have another portion of scripture that is not good for training people, proving God’s will and requirements for our lives, correcting people who fail to obey, or raising people in how to live righteously.
Drawing Conclusions
Paul drew a very clear line in the sand: Either all scripture can be used to teach, prove, correct, and train…or, it can’t. There’s no third option.
Test it for yourself. Begin reading at Genesis 1:1 and consider if every single portion of scripture in the Bible can be used to teach, to prove truth, to correct error, and to train disciples in righteous living. As you read, ask yourself, “How can this be used to teach or correct believers today?” If any portion of scripture can rightly be dismissed as inapplicable to us, then Paul was wrong.
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