As Christians, we believe that the Bible is God’s Word. And we know that God’s Word is the Bible. But does the Bible ever explain what God’s word is?

One of my favorite answers to this question is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  It says,

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Let’s take a closer look at this verse so that we can go deeper in our understanding of God’s Word.

What Does the Bible Say About God’s Word?

All Scripture is God-breathed . . .

All 66 books of the Bible were written by men, but each word was inspired by God. Scripture is from God, about God, put down on paper by men. We can trust God’s Word because it contains His words to us.

. . . useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness . . .

Even though it was written thousands of years ago, the Bible is still useful to believers. Bible commentator Matthew Henry said, “[The Bible] is of use to all, for we all need to be instructed, corrected, and reproved.”  No one is too good for God’s Word and there will never be a time when we outgrow the Bible.

. . . so that the servant of God . . .

Paul begins many of his writings by introducing himself as a servant of God. But, Paul isn’t alone. We are all called to serve God with our time, talents, and choices. Thus, the Bible is for all of us. Believers live out their faith and the instructions He gives us in His Word by serving others as an outward expression of our love for Christ.

. . . may be thoroughly equipped . . .

When I think of the word “equipped,” I envision myself having what I need to do the task at hand.  “Thoroughly” reminds us that we are not living life with partial or broken equipment. Through the Bible, we have all we need to do what God has asked us to do.  

. . . for every good work.

The Bible is provided for us to do the work God has placed before us to bring Him glory. It will guide us with each step we take. “Every” reminds us that there is no situation that is out of God’s sovereignty. We can trust that spending time in His Word will prepare us to live out our faith, that is, the good work.  

What a precious reminder that the traditional song sung in millions of Sunday School classrooms around the world still rings true.  

The B-I-B-L-E
Yes, that’s the book for me
I stand alone on the Word of God
The B-I-B-L-E
Bible!