Survey of the Letters of Paul back to the top     back to main page for this verse 2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. This section consists of four verses. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 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. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Let us begin in the Barclay. The Value of Scripture 2 Timothy 3:14–17 ...in paraphrase But as for you, remain loyal to the things which you have learned, and in which your belief has been confirmed, for you know from whom you learned them, and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that will bring you salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus. All God-inspired Scripture is useful for teaching, for the conviction of error, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. PAUL concludes this section with an appeal to Timothy to remain loyal to all the teaching he had received. On his mother’s side, Timothy was a Jew, although his father had been a Greek (Acts 16:1); and it is clear that it was his mother who had brought him up. It was the glory of the Jews that their children from their earliest days were trained in the law. They claimed that their children learned the law even from birth and drank it in with their mother’s milk. They claimed that the law was so imprinted on the hearts and minds of Jewish children that they would sooner forget their own name than they would forget it. So, from his earliest childhood, Timothy had known the sacred writings. We must remember that the Scripture of which Paul is writing is the Old Testament; as yet, the New Testament had not come into being. If what he claims for Scripture is true of the Old Testament, how much truer it is of the even more precious words of the New. We must note that Paul here makes a distinction. He speaks of ‘all God-inspired Scripture’. The Gnostics had their own fanciful books; the heretics all produced their own literature to support their claims. Paul regarded these as manufactured things; but the great books for the human soul were the God-inspired ones which tradition and experience had sanctified. Let us then see what Paul says of the usefulness of Scripture. (1) He says that the Scriptures give the wisdom which will bring salvation. In The Bible in World Evangelism, A. M. Chirgwin tells the story of a ward sister in a children’s hospital in England. She had been finding life, as she herself said, futile and meaningless. She had waded through book after book and labored with philosophy after philosophy in an attempt to find satisfaction. She had never tried the Bible, for a friend had convinced her by subtle arguments that it could not be true. One day, a visitor came to the ward and left a supply of gospels. The sister was persuaded to read a copy of John’s Gospel. ‘It shone and glowed with truth,’ she said, ‘and my whole being responded to it. The words that finally convinced me were those in John 18:37: “For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth hears my voice.” So I listened to that voice, and heard the truth, and found my Savior.’ Again and again, Scripture has opened for men and women the way to God. In simple fairness, no one seeking for the truth has any right to neglect the reading of the Bible. A book with a record such as it has cannot be disregarded. Even unbelievers are acting unfairly unless they attempt to read it. The most amazing things may happen if they do, for there is a saving wisdom here that is in no other book. (2) The Scriptures are of use in teaching. Only in the New Testament have we any picture of Jesus, any account of his life and any record of his teaching. For that very reason, it is undeniable that, whatever might be argued about the rest of the Bible, it is impossible for the Church ever to do without the gospels. It is perfectly true – as we have so often said – that Christianity is founded not on a printed book but on a living person. The fact remains that the only place in all the world where we get a first-hand account of that person and of his teaching is in the New Testament. That is why the church which has no Bible class is a church in whose work an essential element is missing. (3) The Scriptures are valuable for reproof. It is not meant that the Scriptures are valuable for finding fault; what is meant is that they are valuable for convincing people of the error of their ways and for pointing them on the right path. A. M. Chirgwin has story after story of how the Scriptures came by chance into the hands of people whose lives were changed by them. In Brazil, Signor Antonio of Minas bought a New Testament, which he took home to burn. He went home and found that the fire was out. Deliberately, he lit it. He flung the New Testament on it. It would not burn. He opened out the pages to make it burn more easily. It opened at the Sermon on the Mount. He glanced at it as he consigned it to the flames. His attention was caught; he took it back. ‘He read on, forgetful of time, through the hours of the night, and just as the dawn was breaking, he stood up and declared, “I believe.”’ Vincente Quiroga of Chile found a few pages of a book washed up on the seashore by a tidal wave following an earthquake. He read them and never rested until he obtained the rest of the Bible. Not only did he become a Christian; he devoted the rest of his life to the distribution of the Scriptures in the forgotten villages of northern Chile. One dark night in a forest in Sicily, a robber held up at gunpoint a man who distributed Bibles. He was ordered to light a bonfire and burn his books. He lit the fire, and then he asked if he might read a little from each book before he dropped it in the flames. He read the twenty-third psalm from one; the story of the good Samaritan from another; from another the Sermon on the Mount; from another 1 Corinthians 13. At the end of each reading, the robber said: ‘That’s a good book; we won’t burn that one; give it to me.’ In the end, not a book was burned; the robber left the bookseller and went off into the darkness with the books. Years later, that same robber turned up again. This time, he was a Christian minister, and it was to the reading of the books that he attributed his change. It is beyond argument that the Scriptures can convict people of their error and convince them of the power of Christ. (4) The Scriptures are of use for correction. The real meaning of this is that all theories, all theologies and all ethics are to be tested against the Bible. If they contradict the teaching of the Bible, they are to be refused. It is our duty to use and stimulate our minds; but the test must always be agreement with the teaching of Jesus Christ as the Scriptures present it to us. (5) Paul makes a final point. The study of the Scriptures trains people in righteousness until they are equipped for every good work. Here is the essential conclusion. The study of the Scriptures must never be selfish, never simply for the good of an individual’s own soul. Any conversion which makes someone think of nothing but the fact that he or she has been saved is no true conversion. We must study the Scriptures to make ourselves useful to God and to other people. ~Barclay Commentary Let us go now to the other commentaries. As always we will work from the general to the specific. We will begin with the Matthew Henry Main. I am jumping in to a long commentary where it begins speaking to verse 17. That the man of God may be perfect, 2 Timothy 3:17. The Christian, the minister, is the man of God. That which finishes a man of God in this world is the scripture. By it we are thoroughly furnished for every good work. There is that in the scripture which suits every case. Whatever duty we have to do, whatever service is required from us, we may find enough in the scriptures to furnish us for it. (3.) On the whole we here see, [1.] That the scripture has various uses, and answers divers ends and purposes: It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction of all errors in judgment and practice, and for instruction in righteousness. [2.] The scripture is a perfect rule of faith and practice, and was designed for the man of God, the minister as well as the Christian who is devoted to God, for it is profitable for doctrine, etc. [3.] If we consult the scripture, which was given by inspiration of God, and follow its directions, we shall be made men of God, perfect, and thoroughly furnished to every good work. [4.] There is no occasion for the writings of the philosopher, nor for rabbinical fables, nor popish legends, nor unwritten traditions, to make us perfect men of God, since the scripture answers all these ends and purposes. O that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them than ever! and then shall we find the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain the happiness therein promised and assured to us. ~Matthew Henry Main Note: Item number 4 here is not an admonition to refrain from reading anything. Clearly we should avoid philosophies, fables, legends and unwritten tradition but there have been a number of things that have been written that link back to the Bible and present biblical principles and truths. From these we can glean any number of things to enhance our study of scripture. The more you are immersed in scripture, the easier it will be to separate the wheat from the chaff. You have seen me do this with famous quotes on a number of subjects. Let us now read from the Matthew Henry Concise: Those who would learn the things of God, and be assured of them, must know the Holy Scriptures, for they are the Divine revelation. The age of children is the age to learn; and those who would get true learning, must get it out of the Scriptures. They must not lie by us neglected, seldom or never looked into. The Bible is a sure guide to eternal life. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but delivered what they received of God, 2 Peter 1:21. It is profitable for all purposes of the Christian life. It is of use to all, for all need to be taught, corrected, and reproved. There is something in the Scriptures suitable for every case. Oh that we may love our Bibles more, and keep closer to them! then shall we find benefit, and at last gain the happiness therein promised by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the main subject of both Testaments. We best oppose error by promoting a solid knowledge of the word of truth; and the greatest kindness we can do to children, is to make them early to know the Bible. ~Matthew Henry Concise Quoted verses 2 Peter 1:21 ...mentioned above For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost [Spirit]. Notice what Paul is saying to Timothy in this verse and what the commentaries here are showing us. Verse 15 is saying that the scriptures; the Holy Word of God is able to make us wise unto something...salvation. However, just reading them or embracing them is not enough. It takes the Holy Spirit in a called individual in the Salvation Process to understand. Without the Holy Spirit, we do not become wise by the scriptures. In addition, this can only take place in the Salvation Process which has all the elements and tools in which the Holy Spirit is manifested. God is, through this letter to Timothy showing us just how spiritual things work. It is a holistic approach. Every element must be present. We learned this specifically from Hebrews 4:2 which I read earlier. Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. ..."it was not mixed with faith." That is, not all the elements were present. Remember the words we read in the Matthew Henry: The scriptures we are to know are the holy scriptures; they come from the holy God, were delivered by holy men, contain holy precepts, treat of holy things, and were designed to make us holy and to lead us in the way of holiness to happiness; being called the holy scriptures, they are by this distinguished from profane writings of all sorts, and from those that only treat morality, and common justice and honesty, but do not meddle with holiness. We must labor each and every day to have, hold, manifest and invoke every element and aspect of the Salvation Process. Now to the specific commentaries. As you will remember from the previous two studies, Verse 15 is a key scripture. It is the scripture that describes precisely how we gain salvation and Eternal Life. 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. Verses 16 and 17 are confirmation of this great promise of God. They further explain just how scripture is able to make us wise unto salvation. Verses 16 and 17 are actually one complete thought: "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, throughly furnished unto all good works." Notice this from the Biblical Illustrator: The man of God’s equipment:— I. The man of God is instructed— 1. Concerning God. 2. Concerning man. 3. Concerning duty. 4. Concerning responsibility. II. The man of God is disciplined. 1. Joy in prosperity. 2. Hope in adversity. 3. A cheerful submission to the will of God at all times. III. The man of God is inspired. 1. The mind is illumined. 2. The affections are sanctified. 3. The whole life is made the reflex of revelation. ~The Biblical Illustrator Now to the specific commentaries. As one can readily see, the scripture is in two parts: 1] That the man of God may be perfect. 2] Throughly furnished unto all good works. 1] That the man of God may be perfect. May be perfect - Fully fitted for his work. The sense is "complete." ~People's New Testament That the man of God may be perfect - The object is not merely to convince and to convert him; it is to furnish all the instruction needful for his entire perfection. The idea here is, not that any one is absolutely perfect, but that the Scriptures have laid down the way which leads to perfection, and that, if any one were perfect, he would find in the Scriptures all the instruction which he needed in those circumstances. There is no deficiency in the Bible for man, in any of the situations in which he may be placed in life; and the whole tendency of the book is to make him who will put himself fairly under its instructions, absolutely perfect. ~Barnes Notes That the man of God - The preacher of righteousness, the minister of the Gospel, the person who derives his commission from God, and always appears as his herald and servant. ~Adam Clarke May be perfect - to fit or adapt. It properly signifies an integer or whole number in arithmetic, to which nothing needs to be added to make it complete. ~Adam Clarke That the man of God may be perfect - By the man of God may be meant everyone that in a special relation belongs to God; who is chosen by God the Father, redeemed by the Son, and called by the Spirit; but more especially a minister of the Gospel; for as it was usual to call a prophet under the Old Testament by this name, it seems to be transferred from thence to a minister of the New Testament, see 1 Timothy 6:11 [See Lesson] and the design of the Scriptures and the end of writing them are, that both preachers of the word, and hearers of it, might have a perfect knowledge of the will of God; that the former might be a complete minister of the Gospel, and that nothing might be wanting for the information of the latter: ~John Gill That the man of God may be perfect - In the sense of being complete at all points. The participle ‘thoroughly furnished’ is in the Greek formed from the same root, so that the effect answers to that of the English, ‘that the man of God may be complete, completely equipped.’ The explanation which has been given of this verse refers it primarily to the work of Scripture in fitting the minister of Christ, such as was Timothy, for his appointed work. But it is obvious that the work is not limited to this, and that this is the end for which Scripture was given in relation to each individual soul. It is obvious that Paul refers chiefly, many would say exclusively, to the Scriptures of the Old Testament; and it may well be believed that he had no thought at the time that this letter of personal counsel and strong emotion would come under the category of the Scripture of which he thus speaks. ~ Popular New Testament 2] Throughly furnished unto all good works. Thoroughly furnished unto all good works. - Completeness aimed at. "That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." The man of God is man according to the Divine idea. Many excellences go to make the complete man, intellectual, emotional, practical. God desires to see the complete man; and he has given the Bible for that end. The completeness thought of is that of man as a worker, producing good thoughts, good words, good actions. God desires to see the completely furnished worker, and he has given the Bible for that end. It is true that we come very far short of the Divine ideal of our humanity; the reason will be found to be that we neglect the help provided for us. We do not consult God, but our own prejudiced thoughts. Let us go back to the Bible, to be convicted of our error, and corrected, and severely exercised toward the complete man. ~Pulpit Bible Thoroughly furnished unto all good works. - Fully equipped. If he is master of the Holy Scriptures, he is so equipped. If this was true when Paul wrote, with only a part of the New Testament written, with what emphasis may it be said now when we have both the Old and New Testaments in full! ~People's New Testament Thoroughly furnished unto all good works - Margin, “perfected.” The Greek means, to bring to an end; to make complete. The idea is, that whatever good work the man of God desires to perform, or however perfect he aims to be, he will find no deficiency in the Scriptures, but will find there the most ample instructions that he needs. He can never advance so far, as to become forsaken of his guide. He can never make such progress, as to have gone in advance of the volume of revealed truth, and to be thrown upon his own resources in a region which was not thought of by the Author of the Bible. No new phase of human affairs can appear in which it will not direct him; no new plan of benevolence can be started, for which he will not find principles there to guide him; and he can make no progress in knowledge or holiness, where he will not feel that his holy counsellor is in advance of him still, and that it is capable of conducting him even yet into higher and purer regions. Let us, then, study and prize the Bible. It is a holy and a safe guide. It has conducted millions along the dark and dangerous way of life, and has never led one astray [speaking of those called]. The human mind, in its investigations of truth, has never gone beyond its teachings; nor has man ever advanced into a region so bright that its light has become dim, or where it has not thrown its beams of glory on still far distant objects. We are often in circumstances in which we feel that we have reached the outer limit of what man can teach us; but we never get into such circumstance in regard to the Word of God. ~Barnes Notes Throughly furnished - Εξηρτισμενος· From εξ, intensive, and αρτιος, complete. Not only complete in himself as to his integrity, religious knowledge, faith in Jesus, and love to God and man, but that he should have all those qualifications which are necessary to complete the character, and insure the success of a preacher, of the Gospel. Timothy was to teach, reprove, correct, and instruct others; and was to be to them a pattern of good works. From what the apostle says here concerning the qualifications of a Christian minister, we may well exclaim: Who is capable of these things? Is it such a person as has not intellect sufficient for a common trade or calling? No. A preacher of the Gospel should be a man of the soundest sense, the most cultivated mind, the most extensive experience, one who is deeply taught of God, and who has deeply studied man; one who has prayed much, read much, and studied much; one who takes up his work as from God, does it as before God, and refers all to the glory of God; one who abides under the inspiration of the Almighty, and who has hidden the word of God in his heart, that he might not sin against him. No minister formed by man can ever be such as is required here. The school of Christ, and that alone, can ever form such a preacher. ~Adam Clarke Thoroughly furnished unto all good works - or "every good work"; particularly to the work of the ministry, which is a good one; and to every part and branch of it, a thorough furniture for which lies in the holy Scriptures; from whence, as scribes well instructed in the kingdom of heaven, do Gospel ministers bring forth things new and old, both for delight and profit: though this may be also applied to all good works in common, which the Scriptures point unto, give directions about, as well as show where strength is to be had to perform them. ~John Gill back to the top     back to main page for this verse