2 Timothy 3:16

All scripture The word for -Scripture" occurs fifty-one times in N.T., always, except 2 Peter 3:16, of the recognised Old Testament Scriptures, the Law, the Prophets, and the Hagiographa, or of one or more of them; in 2 Peter 3:16 the reference is to St Paul's epistles and to -the other Scriptures." The A.V. of a.d. 1611 is therefore not wrong (though many printed copies have altered it) in rendering the word as -Scripture" with a capital S; for it is by itself the recognised technical term.

We should translate Every Scripture probably, as is the proper rendering when there is no article. The word -Scripture" is without the article also in John 19:37; 1Pe 2:6; 2 Peter 1:20. Those who retain the rendering -All Scripture" with A.V. would lay stress on the technical use of the word shewn above, so that it may be treated as a proper name, comparing Acts 2:36, -all (the) house of Israel." But this is unnecessary, especially as the three places where the word occurs without the article in the singular have the meaning -a Book or passage of Scripture" and they are in date as late as or later than this Epistle.

given by inspiration of God One word in the original, a passive verbal, occurring only here in N.T., and meaning -filled with the breath of God" so as to be -living oracles," Acts 7:38. Cf. 2 Peter 1:21, -holy men of God moved by the Holy Spirit." Compare also the following passage written about a.d. 95, at the same time as the last N.T. book, St John's Gospel: -Search the Scriptures, the true Scriptures, the Scriptures of the Holy Ghost: ye know that there is nothing unrighteous, nothing counterfeit written in them." Clem. Rom. ad Cor. c. 45.

There are two ways of taking this adjective, either as an attribute (so R.V.) or a predicate (so A.V.); either -Every Scripture, inasmuch as it is inspired of God, is also useful &c." or -Every Scripture is inspired and is profitable &c." In the latter case the second predicate comes in tamely. In the one case inspiration is assumed, in the other it is asserted.

profitable for doctrine For teaching.

for reproof The noun occurs only Hebrews 11:1, -the proving of things not seen." The corresponding verb is used five times by St Paul in these epistles, e.g. 2 Timothy 4:2.

correction Only here in N.T. though a good classical word, cf. Dem. c. Timocr. 707, 7 -they shall lose their promotion to the Areopagus for putting down the amendment of the laws."

for instruction in righteousness Lit. discipline which is in righteousness; the verb -disciplining" has occurred, 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:25, where see notes. It occurs with -reprove" in the letter to the church at Laodicea, Revelation 3:19, where R.V. -chasten." -Which is in righteousness" just as -faith which is in Christ Jesus" above; the definite article indicates the definite sphere of exercise for the discipline and the faith. See note on 1 Timothy 1:2, where without the articlethe preposition and its case are shewn to be very nearly equivalent to an adjective. Ellicott well sums up the meaning -that Holy Scripture teachesthe ignorant, convictsthe evil and prejudiced, correctsthe fallen and erring, and trains in righteousnessall men, especially those that need bringing to fuller measures of perfection."