By Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson

2 Timothy 3:16 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Scripture is the written word of God, found in the Bible. The verse above says it was given by “inspiration” that is God filled the writers of the various books in the bible with the urge and message to write. 

The verse quoted also says scripture is “profitable” or beneficial and useful for:

• Doctrine

John 15:7

John 15:2

• Reproof

Deuteronomy 5:10-21

• Correction

1John 1:9

• Instruction 

Isaiah 30:21

Luke 9:23-24

DOCTRINE 

Is a set of beliefs or principles held by a religious, political or other group.

John 15:7 says 

If ye bide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

The Christian principle or doctrine in the verse above is that the word of God should abide in us or we should obey and do what scripture says, and then God will grant us our heart’s desires or our requests. 

John 15:2

This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.

Another Christian principle highlighted in the verse above is a command to love one another as Christ has loved us.  Love for the Christian then is not by choice but a command. The order is to love one another. It does not matter whether you:

• Dislike the person 
• Do not agree with his/her principles for life 
• Have been hurt by that person 
• Have a better status in life compared to that person
• Do not like the person’s lifestyle

REPROOF

Reproof means to express strong disapproval to something. 

Deuteronomy 5:10-21 Summarizes the ten commandments- These commandment highlight the things God strongly disapproves of, some of them are 

• Serving other gods apart from God 
• Taking the word of God in vain 
• Lying 
• Stealing 
• Murder 
• Committing and adultery or fornication
• Covetousness etc.

When a Christian engages in any of the acts mentioned above then his / her Christian brothers and sisters or church elders depending on the gravity of the matter have to correct or reprimand him/her. Using the scripture reference given and other appropriate for situation.

CORRECTION

Correction involves freeing someone from error and minimizing its impact on his /her life.

1 John 1:9 says

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness. 

In Christiandom, the only way to be free from our sins is to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness and cleansing from God.

INSTRUCTION

An instruction is a direction or order. It is also a teaching or education on an issue.

Isaiah 30:21 says 

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

According to the verse above when we learn or determine how to hear from the Lord we will get directions or teachings on how to resolve issues and what line of action to take in any situation. 

Luke 9:23-24

And He turned him unto the disciples, and said privately, blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 

For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 

In Luke 9:19 Jesus pronounced or endued the disciple with power to tread on serpents and scorpions…

Later on in the same chapter verse 23-24 He tells the disciples many desire to have the power they have they been given but have not been able to acquire it.

As a Christian you have also been endued with power to do exploit in the name of Jesus.

Use this power and the word of God to change the world. 

 

REFERENCE

1. King James Bible
2. Oxford English Mini- Dictionary
3. Google.com