All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. –
2 Timothy 3:16
In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he covers four areas in which the Word of God can be applied: in teaching, reproof, correction, and training. Just like education is important in a general sense, it is imperative to living a Christian life. The Lord’s ways often seem counterintuitive.
It is better to give than receive (Acts 20:35).
Love enemies and pray for persecutors (Matthew 5:44).
Lose your life and you will find it (Matthew 10:39).
How important teaching is when it comes to learning how to please the Lord and live life as His follower!
Reproof addresses wrong behavior which could lead to harming others or yourself.
Proverbs 9:8 says, “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.”
Correction is showing the right way, once the wrong way has been exposed.
James writes, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17).
Training in righteousness applies to practices beyond head knowledge in living out your faith and doing God’s will in the community.
James also wrote, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).
The Bible, God’s very own words, are His instructions to you personally.
In the United States, despite the Constitution protecting freedom of speech and religion, the public use of the Word of God is being restricted.
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