“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).
TEXT: Psalms 19:1-14; 119:105-112; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21
CENTRAL TRUTH: The Scriptures are inspired by God for our instruction and spiritual growth.
STUDY OUTLINE:
1. THE SCRIPTURE IS DIVINELY INSPIRED (2 Tim. 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
A. Four Benefits of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:14-17)
B. Eyewitnesses of Jesus’ Majesty (2 Peter 1:16-18)
C. The Power of the Prophetic Word (vv. 19-21)
2. THE SCRIPTURE IS DIVINE REVELATION (Ps. 19:1-14)
A. Nature Reveals God ‘s Glory (vv. 1-6)
B. The Word Instructs His People (vv. 7-11)
C. The Desire of David’s Heart (vv. 12-14)
3. THE SCRIPTURE GIVES DIVINE DIRECTION (Ps. 119:105-112)
A. Choosing Light (vv. 105-106)
B. Praising God (vv. 107-108)
C. Desiring God (vv. 109-112)
INTRODUCTION
The Bible was written by godly people as they were enabled and directed by the Holy Spirit. The result is a book that differentiates itself from all other books.
The Lord’s testimony of the fulfillment of what the Old Testament prophesied about Him attests to the divine authority of the Scripture. Speaking to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus said, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45).
The apostles also gave witness to the Bible’s divine origin. Two passages we will study in this lesson attest to the truth of this statement. The apostle Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim. 3:16), and the apostle Peter added, “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” (2 Peter 1:21).
We could also add many archeological finds as confirmation of certain events in Scripture that speak to its authority. For example, in his Concise Bible Commentary, James Gray wrote: “The story of Abraham has been referred to as no more to be believed than the story of Achilles, or Aeneas, or King Arthur, but as a matter of fact, documents, written in the time of Abraham and in the land in which he was reared, are now brought to the light of day. His birthplace has been discovered, the details of his sojourn in Egypt are now known to bear every evidence of historicity, and we have similar confirmatory proof concerning his famous battle with the confederate kings, mentioned in Genesis 14.”
The evidence that the Scriptures are of divine origin is overwhelming. Our challenge is to recognize their authority and make them our guide in daily life.
I. THE SCRIPTURE IS DIVINELY INSPIRED (2 Tim. 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
A. Four Benefits of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:14-17)
Through the love and compassion of a godly mother and grandmother and the wisdom of the apostle Paul, Timothy had been instructed in the Word of God (v. 14; cf. 1:5). His knowledge of the Word taught him that salvation comes through trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul encouraged him to walk in the truths he had learned in order to overcome temptations and trials and to persevere in the faith (3:14).
In verse 16, the apostle offers one of the most profound statements on the authority of the Bible to be found in all of Scripture. He says that all Scripture is divinely inspired and should be received worshipfully. He would have us know that this is no ordinary book; God has spoken to us through its pages.
Billy Graham said: “[God] speaks from heaven through the Bible, His written Word. This is why I use the phrase ‘the Bible says.’ I would not have the authority to say what I do in sermons unless it was based upon the Word of God.”
When Scripture is properly applied to life, it is “profitable” (v. 16). To keep its precepts is to live a spiritually prosperous life. The psalmist said, “I rejoice in following [God’s] statutes as one rejoices in great riches” (119:14 NIV). The apostle lists four great benefits we should discover in the Word of God.
The first benefit we derive from Scripture is “doctrine,” or “teaching” (NASB). We are taught the will of God and shown the way of Christ.
The second benefit Paul mentions is “reproof.” The meaning here is to point out the wrongs in our life and convince us of our sins. It leads to conviction and a realization of our need to turn from any wicked ways.
The third benefit is “correction.” The Scripture has the power to bring about restoration in our lives and point us to a right relationship with God.
The fourth benefit is “training in righteousness” (NASB). The Word of God not only shows us what is right, but leads us in the principles that result in a holy life.
Everything we need to fulfill the mission God has for us may be found in His Word. If this was true when Paul wrote this, with only the Old Testament as a written source, how much more is it true now that we have both the Old and New Testaments.
B. Eyewitnesses of Jesus’ Majesty (2 Peter 1:16-18)
Floating around in the ancient world were artificially contrived stories that amounted to nothing more than fiction. They were designed to tell people what they wanted to hear and to deceive gullible hearers, drawing them away from the truth. The apostles said they had nothing to do with such fabrications (v. 16). The message they delivered was the truth based on their eyewitness accounts of the ministry of the Lord.
Peter spoke of the powerful ministry of the Lord Jesus. This theme is repeated throughout the Gospels, the Epistles, and the Book of Acts. Peter spoke of His power in Acts 10:38: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” The messages Jesus brought were often accompanied by wonders and miracles. The greatest demonstration of His power took place when God raised Him from the dead. Paul wrote that He was “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4).
Not only did Peter speak of the power of Christ, but he affirmed that the disciples were also eyewitnesses of His majesty. John testified that they beheld the glory of the Messiah come to earth: “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Peter recalled the great experience that he, along with James and John, witnessed on the Mount of Transfiguration. About one week after Christ told His disciples about how He must suffer (Matt. 16:21), He was transfigured in the presence of three of those disciples. First the suffering; then the glory. Two Old Testament patriarchs (now heavenly citizens)—Moses and Elijah—also appeared before them. If that was not enough, they heard the voice of God the Father speaking from heaven and saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (17:5).
At the end of the age, Jesus will again appear in power and majesty. The earth’s inhabitants “shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (24:30). What a day that will be!
C. The Power of the Prophetic Word (vv. 19-21)
The authority of Scripture is greater than an angel’s voice and of equal authority with God’s audible voice. What a difference it would make if we remembered that when reading the Bible! This passage gives strong confirmation of the prophetic voice of the Old Testament. The “sure word of prophecy” (v. 19) was received from God by the prophets of several generations and diverse cultures who maintained a consistent flow of truth. Then they wrote it down for contemporaries and future generations to read and heed.
Even Jesus lauded the message of the prophets in telling the story of the rich man and Lazarus. When the rich man asked Abraham to go back and warn his brothers about the reality of Hades, Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:29-31).
The Scripture spoken by the prophets did not come from human initiative or personal interpretation (2 Peter 1:20-21). It is not something they imagined and passed off as communication from God. The Scripture is not the private opinion of the prophets who spoke it; rather, it is the message of God spoken through them. It is of divine origin.
The Bible often compares itself to a light, or lamp. Solomon said, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Prov. 6:23). The Word is a light that dispels darkness and teaches us how to live. In giving instructions to Timothy, Paul presented the Word as a light that shows people how they “ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15 NIV).
The prophecy found in the Bible did not come by the will of man, but holy men spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. They were special instruments of the Holy Spirit. Charles W. Conn said, “The holy men of God were not moved by the Holy Ghost merely to meditation and deep thought. They ‘spake,’ using words, under inspiration. This was indeed the creation of the Word of God.”
2. THE SCRIPTURE IS DIVINE REVELATION (Ps. 19:1-14)
A. Nature Reveals God ‘s Glory (vv. 1-6)
The psalmist uses picturesque language in describing how nature reveals God. This psalm opens with words of adoration that magnify the name of God by calling attention to His magnificent works of creation. Somebody has said the physical world is the first Bible God presented to man. All around us are those objects that declare His splendor, including the vast and majestic heavens. Who has not been astonished to look up to the starry skies—stars too numerous to count—and marvel at how they were made and how they are sustained? The sun, the moon, the stars—without saying a word—loudly proclaim the glory of God (v. 3). The message of the heavens is proclaimed day after day (v. 2). Each day has its own message for us, if we will but open our minds and hear what it says about the wisdom and power of Almighty God.
Verses 4-6 point to the sun as a heavenly object that declares the glory of God. The Lord has prepared a tabernacle in the heavens as a home for the sun. Since a tabernacle is a movable habitation, it is a fitting place for the sun, which appears to be in perpetual motion when viewed from the earth. Verse 5 depicts the sun coming out of its housing in the morning like a bridegroom smiling upon the world. This verse then says the sun comes out of its tabernacle with a long race ahead, moving like an athlete who is vigorous and powerful. The course the sun appears to take is from east to west, and back to the east again. There is no part of the earth that does not, at one time or another, feel its warmth and light (v. 6).
As the sun moves across the world chasing away the darkness with each forward motion, it brings to mind the prophet Hanani‘s words: “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him” (2 Chron. 16:9 ESV). As each day progresses from morning through night, the eyes of the Lord are everywhere offering comfort and mercy to those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
B. The Word Instructs His People (vv. 7-11)
Not only do the heavens declare the glory of God, but His majesty is set forth in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments. Although the New Testament did not exist at the time of this writing, the truths presented here apply to its content. Several qualities of the Word are listed in this chapter.
First, the instruction which comes from the Lord and is recorded in His Word is “perfect” (v. 7). It is without fault, absolutely accurate, fully disclosing the will of God and our duty toward Him. It contains what we are to believe, and it guides us to worship and serve the Almighty. By following its precepts, we will find new life, new strength, and new refreshing of the soul.
Second, the Word of the Lord is “sure” (v. 7)—trustworthy and reliable. It imparts wisdom to its readers, especially the wisdom that leads to salvation. Paul wrote to Timothy that the Holy Scriptures “are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15).
Third, the Scriptures guide individuals down the “right” path that leads to “rejoicing” (Ps. 19:8). Following the Bible’s teachings, which are equitable and just, our conduct will be what it ought to be; it is a character-builder.
Fourth, the Word is “pure” (v. 8). It offers to the reader a pure stream of divine truth. No imperfections are to be found in it. Not only is the Word pure, it also leads us to purity and instructs us to develop a life without the stain of sin.
Fifth, the Scripture is “clean, enduring for ever” (v. 9), purging away defilement and creating a spotless character. It accomplishes what David prayed for: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (51:10).
Sixth, the Word is “true and righteous altogether” (19:9). It is fair and just in every way. All its requirements are exactly what they should be. What a high esteem David had for the Word of the Lord!
God’s Word is “more to be desired” and valued than the most prized riches of the world (v. 10). Even the finest gold in the greatest quantity is not to be compared with the blessedness of the Bible. It is sad that many people prefer gold to God.
The psalmist likened the sweetness of the Word to honey dripping from the honeycomb (v. 10). Honey just out of the comb has a richness and flavor beyond compare. So is the taste of the pure, true, and clear Word of the Lord.
“Great reward” comes to those who make it their purpose and determination to follow the pattern of the Word in their daily life (v. 11). Its reward is good in this life and will be incomparably greater in the life to come.
C. The Desire of David’s Heart (vv. 12-14)
When considering the purity of the Word, David ponders his own imperfections and defects. Only by self-examination and walking in the light of the Word as it shines on our path, can we discern our faults and failures and measure up to the divine standards found in Scripture. David even asked forgiveness for sins he had committed and forgotten, or those for which he had never repented (“secret faults”). How long has it been since you had a soul-searching of this kind?
Having faced the sins in his past, the psalmist pleads for grace to avoid deliberately sinning in the present (“presumptuous sins”). If anyone understood the possibility of sinning against conscience and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, David did. His sins involving Bathsheba and her husband were committed in open contempt for God’s instruction, and with full knowledge that they were wrong. Now he seems to be asking for help to avoid any such future activity. He understood the power of sin and the need for divine assistance in living an overcoming life.
David closes this chapter with a breathtaking request—a request that concerned speech and thought (v. 14). His desire is for his words to be true and beneficial. His concern was later echoed by the apostle Paul, who wrote, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Eph. 4:29). David was equally concerned about the thoughts of his heart. He wanted them to be clean, upright, and holy. Jesus said, “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart” (Matt. 15:18).
David closes Psalm 19 by referring to the Lord as his “strength” and “redeemer.” In another passage he said, “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (18:2). He drew strength and redemption from the hand of the Lord; so must the Lord be our help.
3. THE SCRIPTURE GIVES DIVINE DIRECTION (Ps. 119:105-112)
A. Choosing Light (vv. 105-106)
Psalm 119 explains to us how valuable the Word of God is and how important it is for us to have a high appreciation for its authority. The Bible provides a road map to guide and sustain us on the journey of life. However, we have to choose to walk by its light.
Walking in darkness can be perilous. We can easily stumble over unseen objects. To walk in spiritual darkness is more dangerous. It leads to moral decay and treacherous pitfalls. But when we have the light of Scripture to illuminate the path, we can walk with confidence. We can navigate traps and trials victoriously. The light shows us where to step and exactly what decisions to make. It guides us through our doubts and difficulties, keeps us from sin, and comforts us in the face of fears and anxieties.
In Proverbs 4:18-19, King Solomon contrasted the difference between walking in the light and walking in darkness: “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble” (NASB).
In Psalm 119:106, the writer affirmed that he would keep the promises he had made to obey the Lord’s righteous regulations. Clearly, he committed himself to love and serve the Lord wholeheartedly.
B. Praising God (vv. 107-108)
The psalmist bares his soul about the suffering he faced. The author of Psalm 119 is not identified, but we know he “suffered much” (v. 107 NIV). In the midst of his troubles, he turned to the Word of God to revive his spirits and give him renewed life and vigor.
Although he was surrounded by problems, he still lifted his voice in praise to the Lord. He was taking the advice of the psalmist Asaph, who said, “Offer unto God thanksgiving” (50:14). In addition to praising the Lord, this writer wanted to be taught the Word (119:108). He knew that God is revealed in His Word, so he wanted to know more and more about Him through Scripture. What a blessing it is to be found in praising God and being taught His Word! It is a lesson for us today.
In Living by the Book, James Montgomery Boice wrote: “What should happen when we come to church? First and most important, we should be taught the Bible. God has spoken in the Bible and it is in the Bible that He continues to speak. There is nothing more important for Christian growth and the health of the church than sound Bible teaching. Yet sadly, serious Bible teaching is widely neglected in our day. . . . Instead of Bible teaching, people are being fed a diet of superficial pop psychology, self-help therapy, feel-good stimulants, and entertainment.”
C. Desiring God (vv. 109-112)
The psalmist described his life as being in a state of constant danger (vv. 109-110). Although the wicked set their traps for him, he remained faithful to the Lord and His Word. His heart’s desire was to please the Lord and fulfill his duty as set forth in Scripture. Daniel had that same disposition. It was more important to him to be faithful to the Lord than to save his own life. Although he knew the king had signed a decree that could end his life, he continued to honor his Lord. The Scripture says, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Dan. 6:10).
With fierce determination, the psalmist expressed his intention to serve the Lord and to walk in His will as long as he lived. He made this decision because of his love for God, and not because of some reward that might come to him. Earlier in Psalm 119, he asked the Lord to “incline my heart” (v. 36) toward His Word. Now he says, “My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end” (v. 112 NIV). With a heart inclined toward God, and working in harmony with Him, great and mighty things can be done for the kingdom of God.
Challenge:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).
The Bible speaks with authority about the way of salvation. The call is clear for all to recognize the need to turn to Christ. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). The apostle Paul gave this formula for all who come to Him: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9-10).
Readings:
- Live by the Word – Deuteronomy 8:1-6
- God's Word Honored – Nehemiah 8:1-12
- The Power of God's Word – Jeremiah 23:25-29
- God's Word Endures Forever – Matthew 5:17-20
- Hold Fast and Keep God's Word – 2 Timothy 1:8-14
- God's Word Reveals All – Hebrews 4:12-13