Sufficient and Profitable (36)

Paul then proceeds from the doctrinal to the ethical. Scripture, he says, is useful "for correcting." The word means to restore to an upright position, and denotes moral reformation. To "correct" something implies existing wrongdoing, and so this word refers to the negative aspect of Scripture's moral authority and guidance.

Because Scripture is "God-breathed," it carries God's own authority on moral matters. Therefore, when Scripture exposes sin and corrects error, God himself is speaking. This ends all moral debates and speculations. If the Bible says something is good and right, then it is good and right. If the Bible says that something is evil and wrong, then it is evil and wrong. Nothing can add to or take away from the authority and certainty of Scripture's declarations on moral matters. The Bible is sufficient and profitable for correction.

Scripture is also useful "for training in righteousness." The word for "training" is paideia. It can refer to instruction, discipline, or the whole program of training for the young, so that some translations prefer the word "education." But Paul is talking about a training and education "in righteousness," and thus the phrase denotes positive ethical instruction, or the other side of "correction."

Again, since God is the sole moral authority, since his moral declarations are absolute and final, and since the Bible is the very word and mind of God on all matters revealed through it, this means that the moral teachings of the Bible are authoritative, absolute, and final. There is no difference at all between what the Bible says and what God thinks concerning moral matters.

Moreover, the Bible contains enough information so that the man of God may be fully equipped for every good work. In other words, the Bible contains a complete moral system. It is sufficient and profitable to provide moral instruction and guidance, and to define good and evil. It is the first and final word on all moral considerations, and is to be the first and final court of appeal for all moral debates and discussions.

(to be continued)